Bob and Roberta Smith

Amelia’s Magazine | You Should Be In Charge: art exhibition by Bob and Roberta Smith

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What will be the habits of the new counterculture? / In the new counter-culture what will the fashions be like / What will be the stimulants of the new counterculture?

‘What motivates me is politics, pill but our politicians are ghastly, side effects ’ Patrick Brill writes in his new book, The artist, better known under his working name of Bob and Roberta Smith, is all over the walls at the Work Gallery near King’s Cross right now His politics are bright and loud, with slogans and phrases painted on boards in a meticulous yet haphazard manner; the letters are carefully made out but sometimes the words are misspelt. But the spelling’s not really the point now is it.

Work Gallery mural

‘We need a new counterculture’, is the theme for several of the works displayed at Work. ‘What will the music be like?’ asks Smith – whereas a lot of so-called protest art can feel negative, there is a lot of cheer in Smith’s work. The boards, mostly recycled from old wood or cabinet doors, are painted in bright colours, and instead of ranting about everything being sh*t, Bob and Roberta Smith’s art is full of solutions: ‘What do we want? TRAMS. When do we want it? NOW.’

What do we want? TRAMS. When do we want them? NOW.

The upcoming referendum on electoral reform is key to the central piece to You Should Be In Charge. Smith is proposing what he calls Esther’s Law – true proportional representation. This would mean 50% women in government, as well as 25% from ethnic groups, 25% touched by mental illness and 10% disabled. Smith is serious about this proposition in the sense that he plans to present Esther’s Law to parliament, but it seems fair to assume that Esther’s Law is equally a demonstrative act – imagine what government would be like if it really, truly represented us all (and no one could become Prime Minister without having had a real job …).

Artists are more important than docters policemen firemen and the army / Saving the world is easy; develop the energy generation of Denmark and the public transport system of Frieburg. We just need to get on with it.

Work Gallery

You Should Be In Charge is the Work Gallery’s first exhibition, after the 31st March opening. The mural pained by Bob and Roberta Smith will remain over the front door once the exhibition finishes, and Work’s sister company, Black Dog Publishing, has also published a retrospective of Smith’s work. The book, entitled I Should Be In Charge, is full of pictures but Smith’s colourful and outspoken writing also makes for a compelling read. I won’t say too much about it as I haven’t read it all yet, but Smith talks about the debate on how art is meant to affect people – is it supposed to interact with us, or should we come to art in a process of discovery? Often it’s the latter, as we stand in a gallery looking at a blob on a pedestal, wondering what we’re supposed to feel. It’s different with Smith, who seems to want to reach out to his audience. I don’t know what exactly he wants to inspire in us, but for this viewer the arts makes me feel like we can really change things if only we try. Like Smith says: ‘Saving the world is easy; develop the energy generation of Denmark and the public transport system of Frieburg. We just need to get on with it.’
Make art not war

You Should Be In Charge by Bob and Roberta Smith runs until 3 June at Work Gallery near King’s Cross: 10a Acton Street, London WC1x 9NG. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 12 – 5.30 – also see our listing. Bob and Roberta Smith will interview journalist and feminist Bidisha at the Work Gallery on 12 May at 6.30. Entry is free but booking is essential: email info@workgallery.co.uk

Written by Jessica Furseth on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 4:25 pm

Categories ,activism, ,art, ,Bidisha, ,Black Dog Publishing, ,Bob and Roberta Smith, ,Esther’s Law, ,I should be in charge, ,Kings Cross, ,london, ,Work Gallery, ,You should be in charge

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Amelia’s Magazine | You Should Be In Charge: art exhibition by Bob and Roberta Smith

by

What will be the habits of the new counterculture? / In the new counter-culture what will the fashions be like / What will be the stimulants of the new counterculture?

‘What motivates me is politics, pill but our politicians are ghastly, side effects ’ Patrick Brill writes in his new book, The artist, better known under his working name of Bob and Roberta Smith, is all over the walls at the Work Gallery near King’s Cross right now His politics are bright and loud, with slogans and phrases painted on boards in a meticulous yet haphazard manner; the letters are carefully made out but sometimes the words are misspelt. But the spelling’s not really the point now is it.

Work Gallery mural

‘We need a new counterculture’, is the theme for several of the works displayed at Work. ‘What will the music be like?’ asks Smith – whereas a lot of so-called protest art can feel negative, there is a lot of cheer in Smith’s work. The boards, mostly recycled from old wood or cabinet doors, are painted in bright colours, and instead of ranting about everything being sh*t, Bob and Roberta Smith’s art is full of solutions: ‘What do we want? TRAMS. When do we want it? NOW.’

What do we want? TRAMS. When do we want them? NOW.

The upcoming referendum on electoral reform is key to the central piece to You Should Be In Charge. Smith is proposing what he calls Esther’s Law – true proportional representation. This would mean 50% women in government, as well as 25% from ethnic groups, 25% touched by mental illness and 10% disabled. Smith is serious about this proposition in the sense that he plans to present Esther’s Law to parliament, but it seems fair to assume that Esther’s Law is equally a demonstrative act – imagine what government would be like if it really, truly represented us all (and no one could become Prime Minister without having had a real job …).

Artists are more important than docters policemen firemen and the army / Saving the world is easy; develop the energy generation of Denmark and the public transport system of Frieburg. We just need to get on with it.

Work Gallery

You Should Be In Charge is the Work Gallery’s first exhibition, after the 31st March opening. The mural pained by Bob and Roberta Smith will remain over the front door once the exhibition finishes, and Work’s sister company, Black Dog Publishing, has also published a retrospective of Smith’s work. The book, entitled I Should Be In Charge, is full of pictures but Smith’s colourful and outspoken writing also makes for a compelling read. I won’t say too much about it as I haven’t read it all yet, but Smith talks about the debate on how art is meant to affect people – is it supposed to interact with us, or should we come to art in a process of discovery? Often it’s the latter, as we stand in a gallery looking at a blob on a pedestal, wondering what we’re supposed to feel. It’s different with Smith, who seems to want to reach out to his audience. I don’t know what exactly he wants to inspire in us, but for this viewer the arts makes me feel like we can really change things if only we try. Like Smith says: ‘Saving the world is easy; develop the energy generation of Denmark and the public transport system of Frieburg. We just need to get on with it.’
Make art not war

You Should Be In Charge by Bob and Roberta Smith runs until 3 June at Work Gallery near King’s Cross: 10a Acton Street, London WC1x 9NG. Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 12 – 5.30 – also see our listing. Bob and Roberta Smith will interview journalist and feminist Bidisha at the Work Gallery on 12 May at 6.30. Entry is free but booking is essential: email info@workgallery.co.uk

Written by Jessica Furseth on Wednesday April 20th, 2011 4:25 pm

Categories ,activism, ,art, ,Bidisha, ,Black Dog Publishing, ,Bob and Roberta Smith, ,Esther’s Law, ,I should be in charge, ,Kings Cross, ,london, ,Work Gallery, ,You should be in charge

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Amelia’s Magazine | Shelter Up My Street Art Auction: Our House, an Amelia’s Magazine Collaboration

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Our House up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine final
Our House, a collaborative artwork by Amelia’s Magazine created in aid of the Up My Street campaign by Shelter.

A few years ago I held an open brief to put together a piece of art on the theme of a House of Cards, which was sold at auction in aid of Shelter in the company of such luminaries as Damien Hirst, Alexander McQueen (RIP) and Vivienne Westwood. The Shelter Card Quilt included interpretations of the Two of Hearts by 54 illustrators and artists, including some who became regular contributors to Amelia’s Magazine and went on to feature in my books. The final artwork sold for £2,200 to a mystery bidder, so we were thrilled to raise so much money for a good cause.

emma block up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of room by Emma Block.

This month Shelter once again hosts an exhibition of artwork themed around the concept of Up My Street, currently showing at the Coningsby Gallery. With my baby due mere weeks away I decided that instead of an open brief I would commission some of the wonderful illustrators who I have worked with regularly over the past few years, and who have featured in my books, Amelia’s Anthology of Illustration and Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration.

Thereza Rowe up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of room by Thereza Rowe.

It’s fitting that I first worked with two of those illustrators, Lesley Barnes and Thereza Rowe, when they entered the House of Cards open brief back in 2009, and it’s fantastic to see how much their confidence and careers have developed since then.

Lesley Barnes roof up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Lesley Barnes attic up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Lesley Barnes front door up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of roof, attic and front door by Lesley Barnes.

To represent the idea of an emotional connection to a secure home environment I settled on the idea of creating a house full of rooms, each of which features the individual illustrator’s interpretation of happiness and security. I wanted to include a broad spectrum of ways in which people are happy today, whether singly or together, and at whatever age that might be: so there’s the family with grandparents by Emma Block, a single mother with her baby by Yelena Bryksenkova, a children’s party by Natsuki Otani, and an older lady enjoying a luxuriant bathtime by Antonia Parker, to name a few of the scenarios. I worked closely with Lesley Barnes to create the body of the house, including the attic, roof and doorway, and then each of the other illustrators worked on their own room. I hope the final artwork, Our House, embodies feelings of comfort, security and happiness in the home.

Natsuki_Otani up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of room by Natsuki Otani.

There will be a silent auction held tonight at the private view at the Coningsby Gallery, so I popped in earlier today to check out the other artworks.

Shelter Up My Street Our House exhibition
Bidders will be spoilt for choice for once again we are in very good company: there is original art to bid for by top artists such as Julian Opie, Grayson Perry, Anthony Gormley, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Giles Deacon, Bob and Roberta Smith and Miles Aldridge. We are delighted that our image has been used on the Shelter website and took pride of place in the Metro newspaper!

yelena bryksenkova_up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of room by Yelena Bryksenkova.

I am extremely grateful to the illustrators who got so enthusiastically involved with this project, and to Richard Penny at Ripe Digital for so kindly printing the final high quality A1 giclee print. I hope that Our House resonates with someone, and that once again it will sell for a princely sum – all the proceeds of which will go to support the important work of Shelter.

Antonia Parker up my street shelter Amelia's Magazine
Close up of room by Antonia Parker.

The contributing illustrators have been blogging about Our House too. Here’s some links to their websites:
Emma Block introduces the grandparents who inspired her piece.
Lesley Barnes describes how she put her architectural skills to work.
Thereza Rowe shows off her room, with one man and his dogs.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Thursday March 8th, 2012 4:54 pm

Categories ,ACOFI, ,Amelia’s Anthology of Illustration, ,Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration, ,Amelia’s Magazine, ,Anthony Gormley, ,Antonia Parker, ,art, ,auction, ,Bob and Roberta Smith, ,charity, ,Coningsby Gallery, ,Emma Block, ,exhibition, ,Giles Deacon, ,Grayson Perry, ,House of Cards, ,Jake and Dinos Chapman, ,Julian Opie, ,Lesley Barnes, ,Metro, ,Miles Aldridge, ,Natsuki Otani, ,Our House, ,Richard Penny, ,Ripe Digital, ,shelter, ,Thereza Rowe, ,Up My Street, ,Yelena Bryksenkova

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Amelia’s Magazine | Art Car Boot Fair Review 2014

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Art Car Boot Fair queue

The Art Car Boot Fair is a great leveller… a place where the big names on the British contemporary art scene share a packed car park with many more up and coming artists. And packed it certainly was this year, making this a less than ideal place to hang out with a tired toddler (yes, people really did sleep outside in order to secure a place in the queue). So I swept round with great speed, and as usual discovered that the lesser known artists were producing some of the most inspiring work. Here’s a round up of the stuff I liked best.

David Fenwick art car boot fair

This stand was manned by two young chaps in very dapper threads, artist David Fenwick and his cohort Damian Chandler. When I tried to find out more I was given short shrift and sent away with an information sheet that explained they would only sell paintings “if DD Gallery deem you fit for acquisition”. I suspect I would not have passed muster. This is exactly what you expect at the Art Car Boot Fair – a good dose of arrogance combined with humour – it’s not an atmosphere everyone will feel comfortable in.

Joseph Gibson art car boot fair

Next door artist, printmaker, carpenter and photographer Joseph Gibson was selling stacked and tied blocks of wood. There’s one innovative way of dealing with offcuts.

Art Car Boot Fair Pam Hogg

Along the way Pam Hogg was once more holding court.

Bob and Roberta Smith art car boot fair

The Instant Van Gogh, art car boot fair

Bob and Roberta Smith had a large placard atop his vehicle, all the better to flog his numerous typographic works. He was later discovered swapping artwork with a slightly dishevelled Instant Van Gogh.

Surf Mama matchboxes art car boot fair

Wilma Johnson surf mama book signing

It was good to see Wilma Johnson back for a second year and I am excited to read the paperback version of Surf Mama, published last week. Here she is signing my book… just look at the tassels, the hair, the jewels… and what a story, I’ve already started reading it.

Renegade Craft art car boot fair

I always love the curious characters on plates by Carrie Reichardt, renegade potter. Upcycling with a great sense of humour!

Matt Brown art car boot fair

Super smiley faces by Matt Brown display a slightly sinister air up close.

Art car boot fair prints

Icons of the silver screen: prints by Marty Thornton hanging off a van.

Chadwick sculpture art car boot fair

This neon kinetic mobile was blowing merrily in the breeze. It was created by the eccentric chap behind the Chadwick Oven, for making pizzas.

Art Car Boot Fair 2014-James Unsworth

James Unsworth had created a stand designed to emulate his web page and promote his Ninja Turtle Sex Museum series, and some rather fabulous Tiki ceramic skull mugs.

Cultural Product 1, Frances Richardson, Art car boot fair

I made a special trip back to the fair later in the day to ensure I got a good photo of Cultural Product 1 by Frances Richardson (my iphone is close to death and many of my first batch did not come out). This ceramics series was inspired by heritage tomatoes and each has a different tactile quality.

Disastronaut, Herrick Gallery, art car boot fair

I loved these upcycled flower paintings which have acquired enigmatic faces thanks to DJ/designer/artist Disastronaut, aka Jeffrey Louis-Reed, showing with the Herrick Gallery.

Cliff Pearcey Ukipper

This year Cliff Pearcey was inspired by the sea, producing a host of whimsical boats and fish from reclaimed wood and other oddments. We could not resist a couple of fish and acquired a UKipper fridge magnet too.

Theatre Of Dolls, art car boot fair

On my return I found these oddly wonderful prints by Theatre Of Dolls, a creative partnership between performance artists Frida Alvinzi and Raisa Veikkola.

Silvia Ziranek necklace, art car boot fair

I discovered these literal baubles by Silvia Ziranek just as the fair was closing. A colourful accessory from a colourful artist who has collaborated with Tatty Devine.

I must confess that I am hooked… and really hoping to catch the Folkestone edition of the Art Car Boot Fair, coming up on the 30th of August.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Sunday June 15th, 2014 12:26 pm

Categories ,2014, ,Art Car Boot Fair, ,Bob and Roberta Smith, ,Brick Lane, ,Carrie Reichardt, ,Chadwick Oven, ,Cliff Pearcey, ,Cultural Product 1, ,Damian Chandler, ,David Fenwick, ,DD Gallery, ,Disastronaut, ,Folkestone, ,Frances Richardson, ,Frida Alvinzi, ,Herrick Gallery, ,Instant Van Gogh, ,James Unsworth, ,Jeffrey Louis-Reed, ,Joseph Gibson, ,Marty, ,Marty Thornton, ,Matt Brown, ,Ninja Turtle Sex Museum, ,Pam Hogg, ,Raisa Veikkola, ,review, ,Silvia Ziranek, ,Surf Mama, ,Theatre Of Dolls, ,Truman Brewery, ,UKipper, ,Wilma Johnson

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Amelia’s Magazine | Art listings November 16-22

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ghost forest

Angela Palmer’s Ghost Forest

Mediumly-interesting fact: Nelson’s Column stands at 169 feet. The relevance of this morsel? Angela Palmer’s new installation of rainforest tree stumps in Trafalgar Square, sale which would once have stood as tall as the Column but now are rather lower to the ground, pill more roots than trunks. Palmer’s work is intended to highlight the destruction of the rainforest. Much better than the 4th plinth people. That didn’t quite work did it?

braun record player dieter rams

Dieter Rams @ The Design Museum

The Design Museum is excellent because it gets down to business: if you can’t sit on it or reasonably hang it on the wall, use it to build bridges or fill a teacup, you won’t find it there. This ethos of substance as well as style echoes the title of the current Dieter Rams exhibition, “Less and More”. He was Head of Design at Braun and every time you see something ergonomic and pleasing to look at on an appliance, like an iPhone for instance, you can see his influence. His ten design principles:

Good design is innovative.
Good design makes a product useful.
Good design is aesthetic.
Good design makes a product understandable.
Good design is unobtrusive.
Good design is honest.
Good design is long-lasting.
Good design is thorough down to the last detail.
Good design is environmentally friendly.
Good design is as little design as possible.

Hiro-RBS

Illustration by Hiromasa Iida

C Words: carbon, climate, capital, culture @ Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol

I’m really looking forward to the Design Competition event at C Words this weekend, hope you are too! The public judging and prize-giving of a design competition for a rebranded RBS as the Royal Bank of Sustainability is convened and co-judged by Amelia Gregory. Artists and designers were asked to create logos or posters communicating something ‘new, possible and radical’.

C Words is a two-month build-up to Copenhagen, using a multitude of free events, installations and discussions to generate interest and action on the topics of carbon emissions, our changing climate, capitalist structures and the culture wars. More about active engagement than simply mulling over points, PLATFORM, a group of artist-activists, aims to question how culture will grow up in the context of a low-carbon future.

bob and roberta smith

Bob & Robert Smith @ Beaconsfield

Bob and Roberta Smith, who is actually one person, will be showing their/his works to celebrate and commiserate the end of their/his residency at the roomy “Factory Outlet” space at Beaconsfield in Vauxhall. Smith is known for painting signs and there are references to the previous usage of the space, as a “ragged school” for poor little boys and girls to learn to read, in the use of text.

cornelia parker

Passing Thoughts and Making Plans @ Jerwood Space

This exhibition at the Jerwood Space takes the tack that seeing the process behind an artwork is interesting in itself. This isn’t always the case – looking at the sketches for a work do sometimes make you grateful for the myriad choices the artist had to make to get it to the end result but it can also be a bit boring. This exhibition focuses (ha!) on artists who use photography as part of their process and escapes boredom by including interesting artists such as Cornelia Parker and Rachel Whiteread, whose work you can imagine hinges on perfect recollection of spaces. I am persuaded about this exhibition, but I will never be persuaded about “alternative versions” of songs at the end of special edition albums.

Written by Satu Fox on Monday November 16th, 2009 2:40 pm

Categories ,Angela Palmer, ,arnolfini, ,Beaconsfield, ,Bob and Roberta Smith, ,C words, ,Copenhagen art, ,Cornelia Parker, ,Design Museum, ,Dieter Rams, ,Ghost Forest, ,jerwood space, ,Passing Thoughts and Making Plans, ,platform, ,Trafalgar Square

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