I know Oliver Makower from the world of textiles when I was at Pongees Silks many years ago. Little did I suspect at that time that he was involved in the active support and promotion of contemporary silver-smithing. This is now the 10th year of the P & O Makower Trust showing at Collect but […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
Selected art & design events in June
Every month, subscribers to this blog receive a list of art and design events that I think are worth checking out.They tend to be in London but not exclusively so. The thing is that, after my normal posting, I have found so many more things to add that I’ve decided to put this out for […]
“24” Glass by Paola Petrobelli at Libby Sellers
Gallery Libby Sellers on Berners Street, London W1 is a stone’s throw away from the Sanderson hotel and will soon be joined by the Edition, another hotel from Ian Schrager. What I want to tell you about though is the new exhibition showing glass work by Paola Petrobelli, on till the 14th June. Originally trained as a molecular […]
David Tragen furniture at Makers, Cube Gallery, Manchester
OK, I confess, I’m not very active on Facebook but connection with David Tragen came through an old friend proving the value of its use. David Tragen trained as a furniture maker working mainly in wood, after spending time teaching in Barcelona. His work has always had a strongly organic feel to it and he’s recently become […]
Julia Brooker at Curwen Gallery
Julia, who I met last year, is based in Cardiff and specialises in paintings on aluminium evoking different moods and atmospheres through her decorative use of paint and texture. She specialises in art for interior schemes, often working to commission with interior designers. The light reflectivity of aluminium gives a shimmer and greater intensity to the colours. The […]
Julia Brooker at Curwen Gallery
Julia, who I met last year, is based in Cardiff and specialises in paintings on aluminium evoking different moods and atmospheres through her decorative use of paint and texture. She specialises in art for interior schemes, often working to commission with interior designers. The light reflectivity of aluminium gives a shimmer and greater intensity to the colours. The […]
Contemporary designs for bicycle furniture
My bicycle is my principal way of getting around in London and I’d be completely lost without it. Now that bikes have become much more popular as urban transport I’ve noticed that designers are looking at dealing with the tricky issue of storage in the home. I’m lucky to have a wide hallway that keeps my bike […]
Carrying a design style through to the next generation: Kiran Ravilious
The resonances between Kiran Ravilious‘s prints and the work of Eric Ravilous were clear to me when I first saw her work and I was really surprised to learn that she had never heard of one of the 20th century’s greatest illustrators when she first began designing. Maybe her marriage to his grandson was fated. […]
Tea-time design by Scholten and Baijings with Georg Jensen
Afternoon tea was one of my mother’s favourite meals of the day as, by it’s very timing, it has a feeling of indulgence and relaxation. Launched at Milan, this tea service by Scholten and Baijings for Georg Jensen is inspired by the tea ceremonies of both East & West and combines ceramic and metal to elegant […]
Michelle Mason’s new collection: summer design
Now that this interminable winter may be coming to an end I thought it was time to cheer you up by sharing images of Michelle Mason’s new prints. I like their mid-20th Century and very English feel: a touch of nostalgia that completely fits in with the current high street. They remind me of an […]