listings

Category: Art

New exhibition A Thousand Fibres sees free thinking duo Expanded Eye showcase their fascination with life through the ancient art of storytelling. Come see what they are up to at the Arch 402 Gallery in Shoreditch.

'Embark on a journey through the minds of the multi-disciplinary duo as they portray emotions, philosophies and discoveries through stories told on skin. Pieces of contemporary tattoo art – immortalised through the use of painting and antique assemblage – evoke nostalgia from memories and moments passed, further blurring the lines between these disciplines. By fusing this primitive tradition with their unique contemporary approach, their new works are an embodiment of the trademark abstract and poetic language used to portray the visual narratives behind adorned vessels. '

The private view will take place on the 24th October 2013, from 6.30pm onwards. Curated by Alexandra Fernandez Diaz of Conquering Rooftops and with performances from the astonishing Perhaps Contraption. 

Category: Fashion

Not another craft market! This year Brick Lane based fashion designer Meihui Liu (of Victim Fashion St) hosts Secret Rendezvous. The event promises to be an exciting alternative shopping destination for exciting last minute presents, featuring a great selection of high-end designer goods, including accessories, jewellery, fashion and homeware. You will find this all conveniently in one place, and with a chance to chat to the designers themselves and savour organic home made cakes by Chloe Timms.

Here is a selection of the designers who are confirmed so far:

Dress by Victim Fashion St.

Accessory by YOxUWANG.

Claire English: little matchstick collection.

Jumper by Sibling.

Scarf by Arlette Fearless Ess.

Kaleidoscope necklace by Wolf & Moon.

Join the facebook event to keep up to date, here.
Opening times: 1pm – 7pm Monday, 11am -7pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11am – 8pm Friday & Saturday, 10am – 7pm Sunday

Category: Art

Sista Pratesi, The Shining of our Design II, 2013

In her new solo exhibition at Vane, The Shining of Our Design, Sista Pratesi creates an installation of paintings that explore the power of belief systems and the structures that are created to enforce them.

'The installation presents both a pictorial space – depicted in the paintings – as well as a physical space through which the audience can move: as the paintings depict an experience, the physical structure creates an experience. A framework constructed of canvases facing in alternating directions winds through the gallery, inviting the viewer to meander along its serpentine length.

The desire to let go and succumb to a belief system that is all seeing and all encompassing is deeply hypnotic. Unfolding in these paintings is the subtle temptation to give up one’s own autonomy in the face of surrounding systems of power and control. Some show strange, lurking figures that seem involved in some arcane ritual, wholly intent on their own mysterious actions, while interspersed with these are images of doors – but doors that are warped and damaged and offer only a pretence of escape. Like a hall of mirrors, there seems no way out, but an endless journey between an interior and exterior world that surrounds and engulfs the viewer.'

Exhibition preview: Friday 8 November, 5:30-7:30pm
Opening times: 12pm to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday during exhibitions.

Sista Pratesi, The Shining of our Design III, 2013

Sista Pratesi, The Shining of our Design I, 2013

Category: Art

This show will feature the latest unpublished work and paintings of Amelia's Magazine favourite Novemto Komo alongside collages by Steven Quinn, including The Roman Series. Through conversations, both artists felt they were at a similar stage in their art, having spent the past year honing their styles. Their new works 'explore the idea of rebirth through space, emotion, media and the world end.'

Novemto Komo.

Steven Quinn.

Join the Facebook event here. 
You are invited to the opening night on November 7th, 2013 from 6pm.

Category: Art

Atomica Gallery is hosting Covering Synthesis, the debut exhibition from British artists Dominique Holmes and Mister Paterson. Friends for many years, Holmes and Paterson have enjoyed successful careers as tattooists and freelance artists and have spent the past few years concentrating on their fine art practice. Whilst differing stylistically, the pair share a fascination with the process of rearranging elements to produce new and unexpected outcomes; the inspiration behind Covering Synthesis. Central to Covering Synthesis is the friendship between the two artists and Holmes and Paterson will present 3 special collaborative works as part of the installation.

A believer in tradition and true craftsmanship, Mister Paterson’s distinct style involves painstakingly inking black dots onto paper, a process which is both simple and complex. Paterson’s striking technique is instantly recognisable and as integral to his work as the concept behind it. Paterson is influenced by a variety of unlikely sources including the power of religious iconography; frequently we see animals transformed into commanding deities. But whilst Paterson’s technique is deliberate, he leaves the final outcome of his work to chance, picking imagery at random and letting instinct decide their fate.

Dominique Holmes’ work is saturated with references to Eastern culture, from traditional Chinese folklore and superstitions to Islamic art’s relation to science and mathematics. Experimenting with collage, her mixed-media works often incorporate found textiles and objects such as vintage kimono fabrics and cosmological diagrams, adding texture and mystery. Strong symbolism is another recurring theme in Holmes’ work. Imagery representing life, love, birth, death includes lotus flowers, hands and eyes juxtaposed against intricately detailed Mehndi patterns and geometric shapes, lending a beautifully psychedelic quality to her canvases.

Opening party: Thurs 7th Nov, 6-9pm, with complimentary bespoke cocktails from Stripbar & Steak. Facebook event here.

Category: Art

May van Millingen is an illustrator whose work spans the world's of print, books, contemporary culture, fashion and design. May's process combines mark making and strong graphic lines, with a bold use of colour, resulting in a unique style. Taking inspiration from daily life, the natural world, and beauty of food, this exhibition of work at The Modern Pantry is a series of drawings that explores the relationship between food and art. More of May's work can be viewed at www.mayvanmillingen.com.

Opening times:
Monday 12-3pm
Tuesday to Friday 12pm – 10.30pm
Saturday 11am – 10.30pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm

Category: Art

The London Illustration Fair offers the chance for illustration lovers to come face to face with their favourite artists and discover new work from London’s hottest, emerging talent. Spread across three days and located in Hoxton, The London Illustration Fair launches with a showcase of over twenty young, emerging illustrators who have been carefully selected by a judging panel of key figure heads on the illustration scene; Dario Illari, director of Jealous Gallery and Jealous Print, Ben Levy, artist and art fair veteran, Print Club London’s Rose Stallard, director of Hang-Up Gallery Ben Cotton and one of London’s current, biggest art fair successes, Mark Powell.

Cassandra Yap.

To celebrate the launch of The London Illustration Fair, artist in focus, Mark Powell, will produce an exclusive piece of work, to be unveiled on the opening night, alongside prints and original artworks. With his beautifully detailed and delicately executed Biro portraits, and recent rise and success within the art fair circuit, Mark Powell is an inspiring artist who tackles illustration in its purest form.

Lucille Clerc.

Exhibiting Artists: Spookernox, Ben Rothery, Sneaky Racoon, Billy Daniel, Kev Munday, Yann Brien, Marina Capdevila, Lucille Clerc, Linocut Boy, Ursula Hitz, Matt Forster, Melody Seal, Masahito Takeuchi, Zoe Byrant, Ali Hamish Campbell and Cassandra Yap.

Also showing alongside the illustrators at the fair will be Jealous Gallery, a studio, gallery and publisher and Puck Collective, an ever-evolving group of emerging and established illustrators, creatives and mess makers.

Yann Brien.

Tickets are available here.
Opening Times:
Friday 29th + Saturday 30th November, 12noon – 8pm
Sunday 1st December, 12noon – 6pm

Category: Fashion

Isabella Blow by Mario Testino.

This autumn, Somerset House, in partnership with the Isabella Blow Foundation and Central Saint Martins, presents Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!, a major fashion exhibition celebrating the extraordinary life and wardrobe of the late British patron of fashion and art. The exhibition will showcase over a hundred pieces from her incredibly rich collection, one of the most important private collections of late 20th Century/early 21st Century British fashion design, now owned by Daphne Guinness. This includes garments from the many designer talents she discovered and launched, such as Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, Hussein Chalayan and Julien Macdonald. Curated by Alistair O’Neill with Shonagh Marshall and designed by award-winning architectural firm Carmody Groarke, with installations by celebrated set designer Shona Heath, the exhibition will display thematically the breadth of Isabella’s collection, a life lived through clothes.

Isabella Blow, 2002 by Diego Uchitel.

Tickets: £12.50, Concessions £10, half price Mondays
Opening times can be found here.

Category: Art

Hosted by Printer of Dreams, this evening promises to be a showcase for the new, the weird and the wonderful. Head down to discover the beautifully surreal photographic duo Newshine, the positively absurdist illustrations of Tony Johnson, the bold constellations of photographer Charlie Morgan Smith and the Dune-esque sci-fi cool of designer Joseph Melhuish. Also expect to find the classy pulp fiction illustrations of Edward Tuckwell and the desolate landscapes of photographer Luke Banks. 

Play Hard by Tony Johnson.

The aim of the evening is to bring new talent to as wide an audience as possible. The chosen artists showcase the incredible variety of art currently being produced on the printing press, and the event promises to be a celebration of great affordable art, with prints for both the experienced collector and those buying their first piece.

Floating Pyramids by Joseph Melhuish.

Alongside giclee prints there will be Limited Edition T-shirts by artist Harry Bix, hand-stitched books and plenty of mulled cider to wash it all down. The Amwell Print Fair runs in conjunction with the Amwell Late Night Shopping evening. 

Category: Fashion

Christmas baubles by Reiko Kaneko.

Dalston Christmas Market will take place in Dalston Square and surrounding streets on Sunday 1st December 2013 and offers a vibrant, contemporary alternative to more traditional ‘German style’ Christmas markets. The one day event, featuring artisans, artists, fashion and jewellery designers, leather designers, ceramicists, and card makers, will include a live stage featuring music, comedy and performances by local choirs – see full details below. Food and drink stalls – with and without a Christmas twist – will also feature.

Jessica Russell Flint bear cushion.

Lucy Loves This, Hackney print.

Participants include a vast array of creative talent with more than half of the stallholders being from the local area. This includes celebrated ceramicist Reiko Kaneko with specially designed Christmas ornaments, Fee Fee La Fou’s curiosities and confectionary from Dalston, typographical printed goods from Lucy Loves This, and skateboards upcycled into serving platters from Chubba Art & Design. There is also a strong children’s presence with cool sustainable clothing from The Fableists, illustrated mugs, prints & books by Eight Bear and Swiss-themed cards, small gifts & height charts from Madame Chalet. There will also be a food and drink area including gourmet sandwiches from Franchini & Friends, iconic British fayre from What The Dickens, Southern American street food from Anna Mae’s Mac & Cheese and the family run Big Tree Cider company.

Youchka, Swans in Silver & Gold.

There will also be a stage organised by City Showcase, the year round not-for-profit festival of new music. Up and coming bands and artists will be interspersed with local school and community choirs. Performers include up and coming singer/songwriters, Akayzia, Tom Tyler and Felix Pallas, breaking band The Worry Dolls and pop act Class A. Choirs include London Fields Choir, Lauriston School Choir, Rushmore Choir and Millfields Choir performing their charity single.

Monster Threads, cat melamine plate.

Businesses in the local area supporting Dalston Christmas Market include sponsor Cafe Route, art studios The Chocolate Factory, and Dalston Eastern Curve Gardens. CLR James Library will be hosting free workshops including ‘Make your own Christmas’ cards and join a choir and perform on stage at the event. The market presents the perfect trading platform for innovative goods, food and crafts made by the next generation of designers and artists for which the London borough of Hackney including Dalston and the surrounding areas of Hoxton, Shoreditch and Stoke Newington are heralded. This family day out will appeal to anyone wanting to enjoy an alternative Christmas shopping experience in Dalston.