Artist Edmund de Waal in conversation with the BBC's Will Gompertz

This is the penultimate in the first sold out series of 'By Design' talks in partnership with the Sir John Soane's museum.  During this series internationally renowned artists and creators were invited to reflect on their design practice through an object or objects that has meaning for them.

In this talk Edmund de Waal talks movingly to BBC arts editor Will Gompertz about is his notions of beauty and belonging.

Below are a few highlights from this conversation recorded in the dining room at the Sir Soane's Museum.

Edmund de Waal known for his family collection is clear Collections have their own life, and never stand still.

Edmund de Waal is an artist and writer, best known for his large-scale installations of porcelain vessels, often created in response to collections and archives or the history of a particular place talks about the moments of  epiphany in his West Norwood studio that remain as moments just for him. 

Edmund de Waal is an artist and writer reveals that for him beauty comes from the "poetry of objects".

Want to listen to the conversation in full?

Here is the full discussion between Peter Saville and Will Gompertz recorded in October 2018 in the candle lit dining room at The Sir John Soane's Museum in front of a small audience of 40 guests.

Other speakers in the series include architect Sir David Adjaye, artist Es Devlin, graphic designer Peter Saville, furniture designers Martino Gamper and interior designer Olga Polizzi.