Saturday 16 March 2024

El Anatsui - Behind the Red Moon - Tate Modern Turbine Hall, London

El Anatsui - The Red Moon
 

El Anatsui - Behind the Red Moon is the latest Hyundai Commission on show in the Tate Modern Turbine Hall, London. El Anatsui was born in Ghana and currently works in both Ghana and Nigeria. His monumental sculptures are made up of thousands of bottle tops and fragments.

As you enter the Turbine Hall, descending the ramp, the first of three sculptures greets you.  This is The Red Moon which, we are told, looks like a billowing sail.  The circular Red Blood Moon element within the sail is made of bottle tops...

El Anatsui - The Red Moon (detail)


The reverse side looks like a large yellow sail...

El Anatsui - The Red Moon (yellow side)

The symbolism of the sails was to bring to mind ships and the transportation of goods and people across the globe.  Sailors would also sometimes use the moon for navigational purposes.  During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, enslaved African peoples were taken across the ocean to the Americas where they were sold or traded for goods such as gold, sugar, spirits and other commodities.  The bottle tops used in the piece come from modern commodities rooted in colonial industries, thus El Anatsui hopes to expose the connected histories of Europe, Africa and America through the use of waste from industries built on colonial trade routes.


The next piece you come to is The World.  From underneath and from the main gallery side it just looks like a series of fragments of knitted wire or wire mesh but when viewed from a particular point on the bridge all the fragments line up to look like the world.  The circular nature of this piece echoes the circular moon in The Red Moon.

El Anatsui - The World

El Anatsui sees fragments as a symbol of renewal and restoration with the capacity to reform.

El Anatsui - The World

El Anatsui - The World


The final piece is The Wall.  This is the largest piece and like The Red Moon, is double sided...

El Anatsui - The Wall

The side you first encounter is largely black and trails on the floor in folds. El Anatsui sees the black as symbolising Africa and its diaspora with a potential for homecoming and return.

El Anatsui - The Wall (detail)

The reverse side is brighter in colour....

El Anatsui - The Wall 

El Anatsui - The Wall (detail)

El Anatsui - The Wall (detail)

El Anatsui - The Wall (detail)

El Anatsui - The Wall (detail)

El Anatsui sees walls as both structures that constrain and encircle but also that hide things.  In hiding things, he thinks this may provoke curiosity which could be harnessed to overcome the constraining nature of the walls.

He sees the black and multicoloured nature of The Wall as symbolising the clash of global cultures and the hybrid identities that result.

The Wall and The Red Moon look like large patchwork quilts made from recycled metal pieces that are stitched together with wire.  As such, they could be taken apart and reconstructed to create different installations.  They are fascinating.  The wall is particularly interesting as you can get close to it to see how it has been made and what it is made up of. Anatsui works with a large team of assistants who work together to assemble the sculptures.

This exhibition is on until 14 April 2024.  Go see - definitely worth visiting!  


Saturday 9 March 2024

Open Exhibition 2024 - The Old Parcels Office Artspace, Scarborough

Lynne Chapman - Ruby (detail)

Yesterday I went, with some friends, to see the third Open Exhibition at The Old Parcels Office Artspace in Scarborough.  Eighty works were selected from over 400, representing both established and emerging artists from across the North and further afield.  The exhibition closes tomorrow (Sunday 10 March 2024 - 11am to 4pm) so why not take a trip to Scarborough and take a look.  Here are some of my favourites...

Lynne Chapman's dress - Ruby, seemed awash with memories...

Lynne Chapman - Ruby 

Janine Baldwin - Melting III - was a glorious mixed media collage, which had won the Open 2024 2D prize...

Janine Baldwin - Melting III

Shirley Vauvelle's Beast and Blue Bird made from porcelain and driftwood also caught my attention...

Shirley Vauvelle - Beast and Blue Bird 

I loved both of Jon O'Connor's works - both acrylic and mixed media on a wood panel...

Jon O'Connor - Urbanism #1

Jon O'Connor - Power of the Vend

I liked the simplicity of Petra Ingham's House on the Hill - Purple & Yellow...

Petra Ingham - House on the Hill - Purple & Yellow 

I am always drawn to textile works, so apart from Lynne Chapman's Ruby there was also Linda Harvey's Middleport Wall, using stitched, printed and hand dyed fabrics...

Linda Harvey - Middleport Wall

Isobel Blockley's Lungs - breathing becomes difficult, utilising fabric, stitch, digital print and ink pencils...

Isobel Blockley - Lungs - breathing becomes difficult

Mary Whitehouse's Waste Age Coat made from waste wool remnants...

Mary Whitehouse - Waste Age Coat

and Shirani Bolle's You are not what you think which was a very vibrant punch needle piece using yarn, thread, sequins & beads on monks cloth... 

Shirani Bolle - You are not what you think (detail)

My final two choices are Louise Bass's Departure (acrylic on board)...

Louise Bass - Departure

and Lindsey Tyson's mixed media Roadworks 2...

Lindsey Tyson - Roadworks 2

It was great to look around the exhibition.  It would have been even better if there had been a little bit of info about each piece.  The Old Parcels Office Artspace is right by the railway station, in the carpark, so don't miss it!

Scarborough North Bay

Why not finish off your trip with a with a dip in the sea, a walk along the promenade, a trip round the castle, a visit to Anne Bronte's grave or some fish & chips!

Anne Bronte's Grave

Scarborough's a great day out!



Thursday 16 November 2023

Hippystitch at York Makers Winter Fair - Saturday 25 November 2023

Flyer designed by Lucy Monkman
 

The York Makers Winter Fair is nearly here and it's going to be great! It's at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, York, YO23 1BW on Saturday 25 November 2023 from 10am to 4pm.  Entry is free and there is a cafe.  I shall be there and I thought you might like to know what I'm bringing.

Hippystitch Fabric Necklaces

Hippystitch Flower Button Bracelets

As well as my colourful fabric necklaces pictured above and my flower button bracelets, I shall be bringing some stitched cords which are completely new.  If you're wondering what to do with these - you can use them to wrap up presents or you can stitch them into small vessels, as pictured below...

Stitched Cords & How to Use Them

I have made some new flower button brooches which are also very colourful - some are small and some are large with leather flowers...

Small Flower Button Brooches

Large Leather Flower Button Brooches


And completely new for this year, I have a lucky dip.  These are a bargain and would make lovely Christmas presents.  They are samples, experiments or lines that I don't make any more.  Once you've had a lucky dip, you may not be able to resist coming back for more.

Lucky Dip Bags


I will be bringing other things too but just thought you'd like to get a taster.

There will also be lots of other local makers there too selling ceramics, woodturned items, leather goods, stained glass, terrazzo homeware, wildlife inspired sculpture, jewellery, textiles both knitted and stitched, felted items, art, prints, cards, and baked goods. Take a look at York Makers on facebook or instagram to find out more about the Winter Fair stallholders and for a chance to win a £25 voucher to spend at the fair (giveaway closes on Monday 20 November at 6pm).


Christmas Cards & Justacard Christmas Pin


And remember,  all us makers, artists and small businesses really appreciate it when you buy from us, even if it's just a card.  In fact you can read more about the justacard campaign here.  Please follow and support @justacard which encourages people to value and buy from artists, makers, independent shops and small businesses.  In fact I've added my Justacard Christmas pin with the pictures of my Christmas cards above and below.  I shall be wearing it at the Winter Fair on Saturday!


Reindeer Badge Christmas Cards & Justacard Christmas Pin

Hope to see you at the York Makers Winter Fair!


Image: @angela.chick.illustration


Friday 10 November 2023

Japanese Aesthetics of Recycling - Brunei Gallery SOAS London

Boro Coat from Kanto Area of Japan - Late 19th Century-Early 20th Century

This exhibition, at the Brunei Gallery at SOAS in London, focused on the Japanese techniques of boro, washi and kintsugi, embodying the Japanese principle of mottainai which is the mindful use of resources to avoid waste.  The term mottainai includes a sense of regret when things are wasted because it shows that these resources have not been properly appreciated and valued.

Boro Shikifuton (mattress cover or padding for a futon)
Late 19th Century/Early 20th Century

Stitch and patching detail from Boro Shikifuton above

Boro are Japanese textiles that have been patched and repaired.  They are made from worn clothing and scraps.  Historically, they were  made by poor, working people with few resources, showing their creativity in making items they needed. The stitching is often quite large and not especially neat.  They have become very collectable over the last 20 years and are often seen as abstract art.  I think they are most beautiful.

Various Boro, Kasuri and Sakiori Items

Detail of sashiko (little stab stitches) mending on an indigo jacket


Kasuri is a Japanese word for fabric that has been woven with fibres dyed specifically to create patterns in the fabric. It is an ikat technique. Sakiori is a woven cloth with a cotton warp and ripped cloth as the weft, often known as rag weaving.

I loved all the shoes on display...

White Cotton Japanese Tabi (Shoes)
Mid 20th Century


Patterns for Boro Shoes


Woven Shoes/Socks
Early 20th Century


Horn bags were used to store balls of cotton rag yarn made from recycled cotton garments.  The rope was thought to be used for equestrian purposes...

Horn Bags & Boro Rope


Hemp Storage Bags Including Kasuri Patches
Late 19th - Early 20th Century


Undergarment Known as a Sweat Repeller (Asehajiki)
Made from Cotton (warp) and Paper (weft) Thread
Early 20th Century


This "sweat repeller" undergarment (below) is being made by Sian Bowen, artist in residence at Kew Gardens, from abaca fibre to understand how the original was made.  The original is in the Harry S Parkes Collection at Kew.  It has no seams.


Replica 19th Century Undergarment by Sian Bowen Currently Under Construction

Undergarment on a Light Table to Illuminate Patched Repairs & Sashiko Stitching


There were a number of balls of sakiori yardage (yarn made from thin strips of ripped cloth - cotton rag yarn) on display which looked amazing.  Here is an obi - the belt worn with a kimono made from sakiori...

Sakiori Yardage and Obi
Late 19th Century


Washi is Japanese paper.  When it is discarded it can be recycled into a number of different things.  As it may consist of packaging, documents or books, this often leads to the recycled washi having interesting patterns from the printing or script on the original washi papers.  Sometimes this can reveal what the original paper was used for.  The recycled washi is used for packaging or wrapping materials, bags, floor coverings and even clothing.  It is eco friendly.

Washi Tatougami - Folding Paper Cases for Wrapping Items
19th Century 



Washi Floor Covering (on wall)
Late 19th/Early 20th Century
& Boro Floor Covering below
Mid 20th Century

Kin-tsugi (gold) and Gin-tsugi (silver) are methods of repair for pottery using gold and silver joinery to embrace the imperfections of repair and transform them into a thing of beauty. The repaired pottery has gold or silver visible scars that are striking to see.  It is a skilled process and the repaired pieces are often considered more valuable than the originals.


Repaired Pottery

At the Brunei Gallery there is also a Japanese Roof Garden where an exhibit of found calligraphy was on display.  The phrase - Unfit to mend the sky - is taken from an 18th Century novel "The Story of the Stone" which is important in Chinese literature.  The display is formed from stones whose markings resemble the letters of the English alphabet which make up this phrase. They have been arranged and rearranged by Qu Leilei, a leading contemporary Chinese artist, based in London and Caroline Deane, a London based artist inspired by Chinese art and philosophy... 


Unfit to mend the sky - Qu Leilei & Caroline Deane

The exhibition was fantastic.  I only got to see it shortly before it closed so unfortunately you can no longer go but hopefully this blogpost will give you a flavour of what was on display.  The items in the exhibition were part of the Karun Thakar Collection.