An introductory note from Martin Perry, June 2004.
Fragile World animals were created by various artists. Below are those created by David Winter.
For the last ten years I have been deeply involved in the collectible business. During that time I have seen a lot of changes. I don't really think that the words "collectible" and "business" fit together very comfortably anymore. I don't like the idea that a collectible can be "created" and I don't really even like thinking of my "business" as a business.
Fragile World is a new beginning for us. By a strange quirk of fate, our studios are situated in the very same Golden Valley, in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England, where in the mid-19th century a group of artists formed what became known as the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The Arts and Crafts Movement, whose influence is felt to this day, was formed as a direct reaction to the seemingly soulless products being mass produced in England's "dark satanic mills," otherwise known as the Industrial Revolution.
From the first day we talked about Fragile World, we talked about it in this way: it was exciting. We want to make something that we want to make. We don't want to make very many of them; that is soul destroying.
And so Fragile World was born. To us it is a breath of fresh air. We have a small group of highly skilled people who are utterly commited to this project.
