Category — art & design

are exhibitions by my über-talented friends. 

Down ’sarf’ in fancy London at Stolenspace the one and only Will Barras - Halseowen’s finest has a solo show called ‘La Paz’. Will’s work has always been amazing but these new work’s mixing washes with his unearthly drawing abilities create something truly magical.

Then, all the way over in the US of A, Lucy Mc is spreading her organic visual goodness to the good folks of San Francisco. Her first US solo show show is called ‘Restricted Freedom’ and is at Upper Playgrounds FIFTY24SF Gallery. Following on from her amazing show at London in December, Lucy has once again (judging by the pics) done the business!

Great stuff.

I saw a link to this site today on the excellent Made in England blog.

 It makes so much sense! They paint pictures of things they want, and sell the paintings for the amount it costs to buy the thing they want! Simple yet so effective - Seems to be working too! 

Today, (like so many other day’s) I went to Google and saw that their name was built of Lego? Hover over the image, and up pops the alt tag… Happy Birthday Lego! 

You’ve nurtured many hours of… innovative,

creative,

and hmm… ‘devoted’ (?)

hours of play!

Building stuff up, and then knocking stuff down… 

LONG LIVE THE BRICK!

Also, while I’m talking about building stuff up… today I see that the Created in Birmingham blog is a joint winner in the Media Guardians Innovation Awards, which is great news. 

OK, I know all over the globe there are those of us that love a bit of Zep, but I spotted this in Birmingham a few weeks ago and it got me wondering…

Would Zep fans take the time to cut intricate stencils, to then spray around the city? hmm… or is this the work of a ‘record company sponsored’ street teams ambient marketing campaign? - taking it’s lead from the designer of the newly issued Mothership collection - Shepard Fairey - Obey - Manufacturing quality dissent since 1989! Some truly great work here.

Recent browsing unearthed this photo of the face that started it all for Obey - Andre the Giant. It’s quite strange seeing his iconic face on his person, rather than a sticker or poster! 

Andre tossing Mr Fuji. Ted Pushinsky © 

Chatting with my friend the inimitable Mr Jago, the other day, he told me about an exhibition he was involved in Bristol in December.

Mr Jago at Opus Undergrond ©

The 12 Days of Xmas show involved ‘more than 70 of the world’s most loved & loathed contemporary urban artists’ and took place in the ‘The Old Bridewell Police Station in Bristol City Centre’. It sounds like it was a really good show with some great artists involved, several of whom I’m sure were chuckling to themselves as they brought their art to the Police station - a welcome alternative to their art bringing the Police Station (or it’s staff at least) to them!

The site has a full list of artists involved and their is a good Flickr set of images from the show.

Plenty of great stuff including the funny Obey pastiche - Tinker has a Posse. I’d been given some of these stickers in Bristol in the Autumn and was baffled but amused. I had no idea how big the Posse actually was!

The Royal Mail is Tinker’s Posse

I’ve just read that 2008 will see the release of a movie version Maurice Sendak’s absolutely classic illustrated book, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’. As if that’s not great news by itself, the director is non other than Spike Jonze . You’ll know his genius promo work for Sabotage by the Beastie Boys, Drop by the Pharcyde, Praise you by Fat Boy Slim, as well as the delightfully insane movie Being John Malcovich.

Where the Wild Things Are, is my default gift choice for the youth of my friends, it’s a book that no kid should be without, with some of my favorite illustrations ever.  Hopefully Mr Jonze will do it proud on the silver screen…It’s not due to be released until Oct 2008 (US) so hopefully we’ll get to see it before the end of next year.

and this morning I got a lovely one…

Copyright © 2007 Meisai. All rights reserved

My friend Lee sent me a copy of his first edition self published book “Breathing In/Breathing Out”. It was created to coincide in with his recent exhibition in Osaka, Japan. Lee’s work was exhibited at VADE MECVM in Osaka, after previously showing in Tokyo, at Adam et Ropé. Those of you in Brum, will no doubt have seen Lee’s work before in the brilliant publicity materials he’s designed the annual Fierce festival amongst many other things created in his role as designer at the mighty Fluid.

I’m a huge fan of his work, and seeing this awesome little book, I really hope it’s the first of many…

hai hai Mr B!!

Lucy’s first solo London show open’s this Friday 7th Dec at Lazarides Gallery in Soho - the info on the Lazinc site reads -

“Express Deviant Phonology - Opening on 7 December 2007 at Lazarides Gallery will be Lucy McLauchlan’s first London solo exhibition. It will present a series of new, unseen canvas work alongside a site-specific installation. The collaborative work will involve the participation of musicians whose music will affect the artist’s drawings while her visuals will influence their playing. “

It’s on until Jan 19th 2008 and is gonna definately be worth a visit if your in central London. Worth noting too that they are not open Mondays.

Go Lucy…

Chris Keenan aka Prime Objective has been named as one of 4 Talents Creative Class, 2007. Chris VJs, takes pictures and makes films (oh and plays a mean mandolin!). Working with lomo, super 8 DV and more traditional photography, he’s been gradually gathering fans over the last few years. It’s great to see him being recognised in this national prize. His stunning website, (lovingly cooked up by the mighty TAK!) has oodles of great pics and unlike so many sites is updated regularly so is always worth a visit… good work Chris… bring on the future!

Autumnal - Emulsion, acrylic and varnish on wood 100×121x5cm - 2006
© Lucy McLauchlan

A big overhaul to the brilliant Beat 13 is online now. It’s focus has shifted, and currently concentrates (exclusively) on the unique creations of Lucy McLauchlan. It’s jam packed with beautiful works.

I suggest you put the kettle on, make a brew, get some tasty snacks and have a good old browse through the extensive paintings and scrapbook sections… see if you can spot my little wooden friends in there too. And… if you’re quick enough, you can buy a print in the prints section. Brilliant, brilliant work as ever.