Johnny Marr. Rock City, Nottingham.

Well - third gig in 11 days! Wrexham, Manchester, Nottingham - all absolutely totally Brilliant. Such an amazing musician, great stage prescence...such good gigs. Never been to a gig at Rock City, great small venue to see Johnny Marr play. Very Sad that its the last gig...for me, (am now on countdown to the next UK tour!) but did get the set list from the mix desk and a t.shirt - will wear it at work, though will have to be under a jumper seeing as am a lecturer, (if you've not seen the t. shirts check out his website (warning), then you'll see why!).

....and in trying to be a better blogger have up loaded my first video...but then deleted it as discovered i could get sued!! such a shame as they were great films of johnny but dont want to get in trouble! photos from gig below...sadly no films anymore!

....managed to get a set list from the guys on the mixing desk!

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Manchester 11th October 2013

Visited the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester  on the 11th. As ever it was a brilliant show, loads of amazing artists and designers with such an inspirational  work...wanted to buy so much of the work! The GNCCF showcases cutting edge contemporary craft to buy from over 150 selected designer-makers in ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, paper, silver, metal, product design, print-making and more.

http://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/2013-exhibitors.aspx - follow this link to see the list of artists who exhibited -  will give you loads of inspiration

some of my favourites:


Julia Jowett

I saw Julia's  work, i think her work is amazing and am really excited as she is going to be part of the Staffordshire Contemporary Artist and Designer fair 2013 that i am in the midsts of organising (our second one) - watch this space for more info.

 

'My illustrative practice explores the importance of storytelling and imagination. Working dense areas of hand embroidered stitches with wire and print techniques, I harness instinctive feelings and childhood tales to create considered folkloric mixed media narratives that intrigue'.

 

 

Anja Keeley

 

'Creator and curator of a compendium of curious creatures and whimsical wonders discovered during explorations and adventurings. Here you will find mischievous mammals, botanically baffling birds, frolicsome fairies and much, much more. All specimens are one-off artefacts using found and reclaimed objects with wire'.

 

 

 

 

http://www.anyakeeley.com/

 

 

really love the paper cutting technique - loads of inspirational work around at the moment using this technique - 2 at the fair - 'Deli cut' and 'Blasted Glass - Caroline Rees' 

 

Deli cut

 

I am a paper cut work artist,creating pictures and cards with wood and acrylic tokens. Inspired by the traditional Swiss art Scherenschnitte.

 

 

 

Blasted Glass - Caroline Rees

 

Working from her studio in Gower, Wales, Caroline Rees creates architectural sandblasted and carved glass to commission. Her stylised drawings have also been used to create a collection of free-standing glass panels and papercuts.

 

 

 

 

loved the intensity of colour on this glass work by.....

 

 

 

 

 

Clare Hillerby

 

Am a real fan of collage art, especially ones involving old documents and photographs. These collages were beautiful as was the jewellery.

'Old found handwriting is the inspiration and starting point for my work; discarded old postcards, as well as stamps, maps and photographs are collected, interesting areas are extracted then combined with new metalwork to create contemporary stories. The original messages become ambiguous and contrasting writing styles are combined in new conversations. The metalwork elements are influenced by markings in the found papers, and markings found in our urban environment.

My collection consists of necklaces, bracelets, brooches, earrings and cufflinks. I also create collages combining found ephemera, layered with stitched handwriting'.

 

http://www.clarehillerby.co.uk/index.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Tassett, 'Eye'

Friends who were in Dallas, Texas a few weeks ago we're interviewed 'on the street' by nightcaptv about this sculpture by Tony Tasset. Foundation Diploma in Art & Design students are about to begin a project with the theme 'This is me....' and i thought this linked as the eyes are frequently referred to as the "windows to the soul" since they are capable of revealing a great deal about what a person if feeling or thinking. As you engage in conversation with another person, taking note of eye movements is a natural and important part of the communication process. when peoples eyes are covered (sunglasses or fancy dress masks) its really hard to tell what a person is thinking or even who they are.  http://www.psychologistworld.com/bodylanguage/eyes.php

 

On the short video (link below) my friend is the one in the dark glasses - ironically you cant see his eyes!

http://nightcaptv.com/2013/10/03/eye-spy-a-new-art-piece-in-dallas/#axzz2hL9lTrYo

 

Interesting large scale outdoor sculpture - would say its very 'eye catching' but wont!!

 

Tony Tasset (American, born 1960)
Eye, 2007

fiberglass, resin, oil paint, steel
452 inches circumference
Laumeier Sculpture Park

'Through this gigantic, blue eyeball Tasset creates tension as the sculpture stares, larger than life, across the landscape and back at the viewer. Modeled after Tasset’s own eye, the never- blinking, constantly conscious piece watches over Laumeier day and night. The human eye is simultaneously unique, individual and emblematic. By focusing on a key part of the body, Tasset speaks to a commonality among us. It addresses how we engage and perceive each other while concurrently asserting a prophetic, perhaps even omniscient, presence'.

just inspired by music.....Johnny Marr - Wrexham Central station

This is a purely self indulgent blog post....can't connect it to 'artistic' inspiration  - just an amazing artiste of a different kind. I went to see the brilliant Johnny Marr on Saturday night...absolutely fantastic gig. Was at such a small venue - Wrexham Central station, like seeing your friends play, only it was Johnny Marr!! ...am so glad got tickets. Got really close to the stage and saw the guitar playing close up... took these photos...with my little canon ixus camera...am quite impressed! will go down as probably most memorable gig been to....and going to see him again next week!!

inspired by music and lights...Miles Kane!

Had to add these to my 'inspired by music and lights' bloggy bit...Saturday 28th seeing Miles Kane at the Academy, Manchester. this was the hottest, bounciest , most energy filled gig been to in a long time!! Everyone was going bonkers...was brilliant...the lights were amazing - am going to have to do something creative with the photos. This weekend coming...Johnny Marr!

the 'red' in this is how hot it was!!

'BuyArtFair' & The Manchester Contemporary

 

I visited the 'BuyArtFair' & The Manchester Contemporary (The largest fair of critically engaged visual art outside of London) at the weekend in Manchester. Its a really great show with over 70 galleries representing 500 artists. Saw some amazing work (and some not so amazing also i have to add...but something for everyone!). The buyartfair is every year - worth signing up to the mailing list: www.buyartfair.co.uk/ to get information & up dates.

 

I loved Lisa Swerlings work.They are beautiful works and the humour is great - really make you smile at the observations and wry comments. Also the comments are so positive and make you reflect on your life (bit deep!)- would love to own one of these. i think its interesting that Lisa studied philosophy before switching to art as her comments are very philosophical

 

Her work is called 'Glass Cathedral' which are  are a series of shadowbox sculptures containing brilliant tiny worlds inhabited by miniature people. There is something about the relative scale of the people inhabiting these boxes, that makes their pursuits by turns heroic, tragic, humorous, wistful – a celebration of the human condition.

http://glasscathedrals.com/portfolio/

'Waiting for Inspiration'

An empty space? Or filled with the infinite possibilities of inspiration...

    

 A Woman’s Work

'The only bit of housework I enjoy is sweeping, especially sweeping up pink glitter. I feel like some ideal of womanhood. This lovely lady carefully sweeps up the sparkling remains of the day, dignified and optimistic'.

 

'The World is a scary place, but I have Armbands'

'Believe'.
"Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands!"

'Destined for Greatness'

We are all destined for greatness.
Just with some of us it seems to be taking longer than anticipated.

 

'Faith in Superglue'

But did I actually use superglue?...

'Smoking Kills'

This was one of my first boxes, designed about 7 years ago. Most people see it as anti-smoking, I'm thinking - hm - so god smokes Marlborough Lights?

 

 

Paul Merrick

http://www.paulmerrick.co.uk/

 

 Also loved the work of Paul Merrick who was exhibiting with www.workplacegallery.co.uk/

Plywood, Melamine, Powder Coated Steel, Magazine, Pins

Chipboard, Plywood, MDF, Sterling Board, Perspex, Dust, Cushions
220cm x 208cm
 
 
http://www.creativetourist.com/articles/art/manchester/art-at-the-edge-and-at-home-the-festival-gallery/

Antlers Gallery

www.antlersgallery.com

 
Antlers is a commercial art gallery, nomadic by design. Based in Bristol, we produce temporary exhibitions in varying locations, with our only permanent base being online.
We represent a select group of contemporary artists through exhibitions, art fairs, consultancy and private sales. Antlers is committed to showcasing a burgeoning scene of artists who explore natural history, narrative and folklore through compelling and impeccably executed work.
As well as selling original artwork, Antlers also have an active publishing wing, working with artists to produce limited edition prints and multiples. These are available to buy both during our shows and through our online shop.

Rose Sanderson

Rose’s work is greatly influenced by things that are generally disregarded in the world around her. She explores the fields of natural history, entomology, anatomy to find strange objects and creatures. Where some may see ugliness, be disgusted or think a thing distasteful, Rose finds beauty and intrigue. Her paintings aim to invite people to explore beyond their first impressions and delve deeper into the heart of nature.

Rose’s delicate paintings and drawings upon recycled materials and old book covers relate to the subject as part of a story within the wider world into which it is born. Anatomy has always been an influential source of inspiration, seeing beauty in nature and creation in all its glory. Art and Science go hand in hand, a fascinating and intriguing part of our existence, of which Rose aims to explore in detail.

Rebecca Hiscocks

Rebecca is inspired by the uncanny and the macabre. Her intricate compositions reflect a combined fascination of bizarre medical histories and a wonder of the structure and inner workings of both man and animals.
She finds influence from the 18th Century etchings of anatomical pioneer William Cheselden and the surreal assemblings of Frederik Ruysch. Her research into anatomy and natural history further informs her visual narrative. Rebecca uses a combination of architectural decoration and a muted pallet in order to create a softness and beauty as a contrast to the invasiveness of surgery. Her detailed studies are executed using pen, ink and print.
Read an interview with Rebecca on our blog here :- http://www.antlersgallery.com/artist-interview-rebecca-hiscocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.atelierrosegray.co.uk

 

 

We have a range of original etchings, screenprints, woodcuts and lithographs in stock from Royal Academy artists including Sir Peter Blake, Christopher Le Brun, Tracey Emin, Barbara Rae, Stephen Chambers, RB Kitaj, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Sandra Blow, Sir Terry Frost, Joe Tilson and Eileen Cooper. Also available to order, Anish Kapoor, Gary Hume, Grayson Perry and Gavin Turk. Also in stock are prints from Young British Artists (although not so young!) Gavin Turk, Damien Hirst, Elizabeth Magill, Mat Collishaw, Marc Quinn, Bob & Roberta Smith.

 

A great range of artists - particularly liked the work of RAID 71

RAID 71

'How soon is now' - Published 2013, screen print, 90 x 70 cm

 

Neil Canning

Catalan VIII