A folding map of the City of London, published in 1900 by the cartographer G W Bacon & Co. We framed it with an elegant oak moulding and a French mount of acid-free boards. Continue reading “A Symmetrical Frame”
A Symmetrical Frame
Because Your Work Is Worth It?
How many times have I gone into a good gallery and seen badly presented work? Very rarely, because believe it or not, gallery owners and buyers really care about that stuff. Unfortunately I know a fair few artists who don’t. They create wonderful work but then their frames are falling apart, the mounts aren’t cut straight or the print margins are ink-smudged. Continue reading “Because Your Work Is Worth It?”
A Walk From King’s Cross (With Labels)
King’s Cross station has a new concourse, enclosed by a beautiful, sculptural roof which grows from a steel trunk and spreads into a tree-like canopy of intersecting branches. They meet the ground along the semi-circular perimeter, which is a continuation of the arc of the Great Northern Hotel, which was in turn shaped by the curve around a bend of the River Fleet. Continue reading “A Walk From King’s Cross (With Labels)”
Oh Brother, Where’s Thou Art?
James Read just sent us a few images of pieces he’s made for a group show at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. The exhibition is titled Oh Brother, Where’s Thou Art? and features cinema inspired works by Lorraine Berkshire-Roe, Andy Roe, James Davies, James Read and Jason Brown. Continue reading “Oh Brother, Where’s Thou Art?”
FIP
I first heard FIP a couple of years ago. My twin daughters who were students in Brighton came home with stories of illegal transmitters broadcasting this French radio station to the Sussex coast. Sadly Ofcom, the British media regulator, silenced the station by confiscating the transmitters. Nowadays the best way to listen is online at www.fipradio.fr. They broadcast a refreshing and eclectic mix of world music, jazz, chanson and film music, free from the inane chatter of manic egotistical djs and without interruption from advertising jingles. Listening to FIP is always inspiring and usually prompts a search for more information on newly discovered musicians. Highly recommended.
Cherry Street
Not very long ago I visited a colleague at his studio. I’d been there before once or twice but this time I noticed a beautifully framed photograph high up on the wall opposite his work table. It was of Django Rheinhardt, watching over him like a guardian angel. It reminded me of a piece I’d read by Geoff Dyer about his musical hero, Don Cherry, and how he always liked to have a photograph of him above his desk. Don Cherry was a humble and sincere musical voice with a gregarious spirit, often finding the common thread linking music from different cultures, and I decided then he should be up there on my workshop wall too. His music has been with me since his days playing with Ornette Coleman and I followed all his explorations into what has since become known as World Music. He opened lots of doors and what he found there was always another aspect of himself.
Continue reading “Cherry Street”
Smashed
Ever since my daughter saw the post about Pina Bausch she has been saying I should see the Gandinis. She saw them give a free performance of Smashed, their homage to Pina Bausch, last year in Greenwich Park. So finally I did, and I was not disappointed. Here is a short promo filmed on the South Bank outside the National Theatre. They are sharp and funny and dextrous and witty and skillful. I almost want to run away to the circus and join them! Continue reading “Smashed”
Sporting Feats
With the Olympic Games coming to town Greg Becker has been researching the often eccentric beginnings of many of the modern games that we know today. His findings are documented in these drawings which have now been published as greetings cards. Continue reading “Sporting Feats”
Madison Square Garden
I couldn’t resist this one. It’s another from the Guardian’s Eyewitness series. Gymnast Jordyn Wieber performing on the balance beam, photographed by Timothy A Clary at Madison Square Garden, New York. It’s so perfectly framed you’d be forgiven for thinking it was done by The Rowley Gallery!
Selvedge Etc
Sue just finished this quilt. She’s been working at it, on and off, since 1980. It contains fragments and souvenirs from 32 years. She framed it with fabric from Ray Stitch on Essex Road.
Looking for what to do next led to a magazine called Selvedge, a fascinating publication full of all kinds of beautifully presented textile related stories. Continue reading “Selvedge Etc”