Across the late 20th century, craft in the classroom has had a volatile history. This area of cultural and curriculum space has been much contested.

Post-war arguments ranging from the spiritual, independent and studio-based experience were often contrary to the increasingly structured ‘hot-house’ experience of the art schools, and the perceived intervention of ‘design’ and design education. Surviving against the odds, Transformations: Cloth and Clay features work from many collections, housed within the National Arts Education Archive at YSP: notably those of Robin Tanner, Alexander Barclay-Russell, Susan Bosence, Rose Ginsbury, Ben Blakemore and Margaret Sowerby.