listings

Category: Art

New Designers 2013 is nearly upon us! As well as an exceptional selection of the finest work from creative arts and design courses across the UK, expect to find the best of last year's graduates in the One Year On exhibition. This showcases a group of hand picked designers who have just experienced their first year in business, giving visitors a chance to see and buy the trends of the future before they hit the mainstream.

One of the designers featured in One Year On is illustrator Annelin Fagernes, whose delightful book, The A-Z of Unusual Phobias (above), landed on my doorstep a few weeks back. This beautiful and humorous creation is an ideal example of her idiosyncratic style, which gives everyday objects and ideas new life through her deceptively simple watercolours.

Also recommended: The Design Trust Start Up Day on 27th June, featuring themed panel discussions, short talks and discussions with professional advisers and successful designers and makers – a must for any young creative planning to enter the workplace.

Part One (June 26-29) showcases Textiles, Fashion, Applied Arts, Jewellery and Part Two (July 3-6) showcases Furniture, Product Design, Visual Communications, Interiors and Motion Arts. For more visitor information visit the New Designers website. To whet your appetite read a few of my extensive previous reviews of New Designers here.

Category: Art

Neville Gabie, Experiments in black and white VII, Video and Chalk, 2013. Image courtesy of the artist.

The Jerwood Drawing Prize is the UK’s largest and longest running annual open exhibition for drawing and always features a brilliant selection of artists working within both the traditional and more contemporary realms of 'drawing'. I sadly missed the show last year, but hope to make it along to review the 2013 edition. To whet your appetite check in with my review of the 2010 Jerwood Drawing Prize and my review of the 2011 Jerwood Drawing Prize.

Jane Bustin, Christina, Lead, pastel and acrylic on elm wood, 2013. Photography by Fraser Marr. 

'The exhibition this year reflects a great variety of different approaches to drawing from practitioners working across the creative disciplines; from pencil, charcoal and graphite on paper, to drawings on textile, sheet music and wood, in addition to etching, stitching, video work, installation, digitally generated drawing and animation.

Selected from original art works, with decisions based on the work as presented, the Jerwood Drawing Prize has established a reputation for its commitment to championing excellence and promoting contemporary drawing practice within the UK. The open exhibition is a platform for drawing practitioners to showcase their work alongside other leading contemporary artists in this field, and provides those selected with the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue and understanding about drawing for current and future generations.'

Antony Crossfield, Lanugo, Graphite, 2013. Photography by Fraser Marr.

Opening Times: Mon–Fri from 10am–5pm, Sat & Sun from 10am–3pm

Category: Fashion

Christopher Raeburn opens his doors this July for the annual Boozy Sample Sale.

Newcomers will be delighted to hear that there will be both womens and menswear available at upto 80% off that you can peruse while team Raeburn ply you with wine, beer and snacks!

You can also grab accessories and Studio Raeburn's famed animals. There will be classic styles, new pieces, military archetypes and even experimental styles and one-offs. Trimmings and fabrics will also be available!

The sale runs Friday 5th July 4-8 and Saturday 6th July 10-6.

Check out the Facebook event for further details!

Category: Art

Jessica May Underwood.

The Breed Show presents a selection of artworks from the diverse range of artists on the books of Breed London, all in exhibition together for the first time at the Cock'n'Bull Gallery in Shoreditch. Exhibiting artists include: Douglas Bowden • Kate Moross • Danny Sangra • Paula Castro • Rose Stallard • Jessica May Underwood • Natasha Law • Steven Wilson • James Joyce • Andy Gilmore • Revenge is Sweet • Masa • Stuart Semple • Cat Garcia. Here is a sneak peak of some of the work that will be on show.

Jessica May Underwood.

James Joyce’s imagery celebrates the everyday, transforming the commonplace into bright, iconic shapes, offbeat messages and striking compositions. His two pieces, Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time and Laugh, I Nearly Died, juxtapose a cheery, playful aesthetic with a subversively serious undertone.

Internationally acclaimed visual artist and curator Stuart Semple makes ambitious and emotive works often fused with an eye-catching use of colour that can bely a subtle and purposeful agenda. Devils in the details, initiated in the aftermath of the 2011 riots, demonstrates Semple's painterly layering and reworking process while questioning contemporary belief systems, superstition and morality.

Draftsman, designer and musician, New York-based Andy Gilmore is inspired by acoustics and the physics of sound; his dramatic, geometric pieces explore the interplay of sound and light, form and colour. He presents two new works, Tenths and Biogenesis, shown above.

The intoxicating works of Douglas Bowden fuse graphic and illustrative techniques with elements of 3D, collage and photography, with hypnotic, thought-provoking results. His exhibition piece, Kit, explores the fluid and delicate characteristics of fabric, resulting in an intriguing set of sculptural objects, frozen in motion.

Make sure you get along to check out the talent…

Category: Art

Nestled in a quiet street in Islington, William Benington Gallery exhibits contemporary British sculpture and design. The current exhibition; ‘Works on Reflection II’ certainly packs a punch when you stumble upon the gallery. Sculptor/designer Kim Thome has transformed the gallery into a riot of bright colours, geometric shapes, and optical illusions with the placement of semi-reflective glass and vibrant wall decal. Visitors are invited to interact with the work, and even the most serious visitor cannot resist the urge to play with their reflection – layering themselves against who ever is standing opposite. Kim Thome has designed a series of mobiles to accompany the installation, which are a far more feasible way to bring the fun of the gallery into your own home. Of course, it is available for commission as well – if you're brave enough to transform your home into a vivid work of art.

“In this work viewers are challenged by what the reflections reveal, another reality, far from what is visually expected, engaging the viewer to reconsider the objects reflected.” – Kim Thome

Works on Reflection II – gallery owner George Marsh explains the work to a visitor. All photography by Kat Green.

Photos do not do this installation justice – it really is worth a visit if you are in the Islington/Clerkenwell area. And be sure to bring a friend to play with!
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am to 6pm (Thursday 11am to 7pm)

Category: Art

The Cumberland Pencil Company presents the inaugural Derwent Art Prize, with an accompanying exhibition of winning works in charcoal, pastel, graphite, water-soluble and coloured pencils at the Mall Galleries in central London. The Prize, which is an open opportunity for international artists, aims to reward excellence through showcasing the very best international works created in pencil and offers prizes of up to £8,750.

Ziga Hribersek.

The Majestic Savoy by Janie Pirie.

93 works by 80 international artists have been chosen for exhibition by the distinguished panel of selectors: Yvonne Crossley (Director of the The Drawing Gallery, Shropshire); Fisun Güner (journalist and freelance visual arts writer); and Professor Stephen Farthing RA (artist and Rootstein Hopkins Research Chair of Drawing at the University of the Arts, London).

Annie Samuel.

Borislav Varadinov.

'It's been an interesting process helping to select approximately 90 works from an international entry of nearly 3600 pieces. The resulting exhibition is made up of what we considered to be the best works submitted by both professional and amateur artists. The show demonstrates a flourishing interest in drawing from a wide range of starting points. I look forward to this open competition going from strength to strength in future years.' Yvonne Crossley

Walk in progress by Chrys Allen.

All selected artists will be featured on the Derwent Art Prize website where visitors to the site can vote for their favourites to win the People’s Choice Award. Following the London exhibition the show will tour to venues across the UK, including the Pencil Museum in Keswick, Cumbria.

Category: Art

This summer at Makers at the Mill ten artists and designers will exhibit in an exhibition that includes fine art, printmaking, sculpture and jewellery, all shown at House Hill, a beautiful riverside location. Expect unique one off pieces, limited edition prints and bespoke design available for sale or commission.

Agnes Jones is an artist blacksmith and illustrator who creates drawings in small wire and large scale metal work which are both practical and beautiful.

Mary Swan is a fine artist drawing inspiration from childhood memories and present day depictions of Brick Lane and Whitechapel.

Rosemary Lucas designs and makes contemporary jewellery in precious metals and gemstones. She began her career as a jeweller in an adult learners’ class more than ten years ago and now practises from her east London workshop in Stratford.

Nick Darrieulat (who created the opening image) and Jane Young are the design partnership LondonKillsMe, purveyors of illustration and printmaking that draws on inspiration from the London landscape to create limited edition runs and unique one off pieces.

Opening times: 11am – 6pm, Late opening Thursday 25th July 11am – 8pm, Sundays 11am – 4pm, closed Monday 22nd July

Category: Art

Brief Encounter.

Situated in the window of a dormant second hand bookshop, the Danger In Arcadia exhibition is the first in a series of artist take-overs of Fine Art and rare book specialists by the Amwell Book Company in collaboration with print company Printer Of Dreams. Over the coming weeks and months chosen artists, illustrators, photographers and designers will present a series of intriguing exhibitions within a literary setting. 

LA Confidential.

Danger In Arcadia.

First up, Printer of Dreams presents illustrator Edward Tuckwell. Inspired by film noir sets of the 1930s, pulp fiction of the 1940s and cult classics from the 1950s and beyond, Edward’s bold lines, crisp colours and striking use of graphic shapes and shadows combine to re-create the tension of the taut thrillers that inspire much of his work. UK-based artist, Edward Tuckwell exhibits internationally. A stunningly talented illustrator, poster artist and graphic designer, Edward works across a variety of mediums, most notably using digital and screen-printing processes. 

Our Man In Havana.

Uncommon Valor.

As well as the shop window take over, the doors to the bookshop will be open on Thursday 19th September, 6 – 9pm to showcase a wider range of work. Alongside giclée prints, screen prints and hand-stitched books by Edward Tuckwell, there will be a selection of classic detective fiction to compliment his work. And, the chance to peruse the Amwell Book Company’s extensive collection of design, illustration and art reference books.

Twin Peaks.

Private View: Thursday 19th September 6:30 – 8:30pm
Window take-over: 6th September – 20th September
Facebook event here.

Category: Art

Ezekiel 36:36 is the latest project from photographer Nick Ballon, who many a moon ago contributed a fantastic zoo story to Amelia's Magazine. This time he spent six months in Bolivia documenting Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano (LAB), one of the world’s oldest airlines. Here's what the press release has to say:

With only one plane now operational from a downed fleet of aircrafts, LAB is a crumbling empire which continues to survive solely through the loyalty and faith of its remaining 180 unpaid staff. Founded in 1925, it has played an important role in every stage of the country’s history. Since its privatisation in 1994, LAB has suffered at the hands of successive administrations, becoming gradually dismantled due to chronic mismanagement and corruption. The project has resulted in a dedicated book and exhibition which will both be launched at KK Outlet. The project title, Ezekiel 36:36 refers to the name of the only plane LAB currently has in operation, renamed after it narrowly avoided a tragic accident.

Ezekiel 36:36 has in many ways become a metaphor for the story of Bolivia and its people: resigned to look back at past glory and grandeur which is at once half-imagined and half-remembered. There is a paradoxical sense of loss and optimism, which resonates throughout the narrative. Featured in the Ezekiel 36:36 book is an extra booklet which showcases the airline in it’s heyday. There is archive imagery taken by staff, coupled with dynamic graphic design and typography that was created in house using a technique called Rubylith.

Sensitive to this poignant and transitional time, Ballon has created a series of images, which evoke a sense of dignity, allowing us to share intimate moments with the people and personalities still on the airline’s fragile payroll. Together with the Bolivian born writer Amaru Villanueva Rance’s narrative, this is the first time that LAB has been so extensively portrayed in both words and images, and the first time that the story has been told.

Category: Art

After her hugely successful first exhibition Nowhere, Amelia's Magazine favourite Jess Wilson has put together another show for the Jealous Gallery space in Crouch End. For Always Turn Left, illustrator and artist Jess Wilson takes us through a humorous exploration and re-working of classic signs and maps. Designed to make you smile, she takes the familiar and brings it to life with quirky and eye-catching prints that feature her inimitable hand drawn typography. From London underground to world maps, from ‘Save the Bees’ to ‘No Mobile Phone Zone’ signs, this show is full of Jess Wilson classics. Always Turn Left features exclusive new limited edition prints and murals that are available for sale.

Africa by Jess Wilson.

Always Turn Left by Jess Wilson.

Great Britain by Jess Wilson.

Greetings by Jess Wilson.

London Postcodes by Jess Wilson.

OK by Jess Wilson.

Save The Bees by Jess Wilson.

World Map by Jess Wilson.

Opening times: 10am-6pm Thursday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday