Rebels & Rulebreakers: A Tour of Pushing Boundaries

Explore innovative, iconic design that challenges convention, celebrating the rebels and rulebreakers who changed design forever. 

Not every maker wants to make the perfect pot. Some wanted to provoke, surprise or even unsettle. Rejecting convention, these artists challenged the boundaries between craft and art, transforming clay, glass and other media into powerful forms of expression. Whether through Gillian Lowndes' raw sculptural ceramics, Dan Arbeid's exuberant vessels, Erik Höglund's rough-hewn glass or Sam Smith's experimental forms, they proved that the future of design belongs to those prepared to question tradition. They weren't interested in fitting in—they were interested in changing the conversation.

The Stradling Collection features over 2,000 objects, including studio and commercial ceramics, glass, sculpture, furniture, industrial design, and various artworks. Celebrated for its national significance, it is a true treasure of the South West.

On the tour, discover the captivating design histories of Bristol, the story of the now-closed Guild, and more remarkable tales from our 20th and 21st-century design collection.

The collection is both eclectic and engaging, often sparking nostalgic reactions from visitors who exclaim, “Oooh – we had one of those!”.

Accessibility
Our building, unfortunately, has very limited wheelchair access. The stairs between each floor are a little steep. There will always be seating provided for those who need it, please mention your accessibility needs to the guide before the tour begins.