Show's time...Kate already posted about the Degree show at Swansea University.  This time of the year is so busy as all the Degree's  Show around the city start happening. One of the first ones to open their doors is the Surface Design Show, at the London College of Communication. I used to study there Graphic design and Printmaking, and it is where I first learned screen printing.  After seeing their Degree Show on Monday I am considering to go back and do some pattern design for ceramics, they have very good facilities and run 1 year course that suits people like myself who are already busy working  and don't have much time to dedicate to full time courses!!

I will be posting soon some images from very talented new textile and surface designers that I met at the Show.  For more information about courses and Degree shows, visit the University of Arts London website. 

More from the OPEN HOUSE weekend...

This are some pictures from the Open house weekend at Hilary's house. First is Fabric Nation's vintage textiles, I love her dogs and broches, so cute!!.  

Thanks girls for such a nice weekend, I am planning a Tea party with a Spanish twist!! soon, so we can get together and make our craft, eating cakes and drinking plenty of tea!!

This is the lovely Hilary's studio, (I am so jealous!!) She does printmaking, and was presenting her latest work at the Open house weekend. She is currently exhibiting at the Morley College gallery. 

LE CORBUSIER AT THE BARBICAN

Yesterday I went to see 'Le Corbusier' Exhibition at the Barbican, it will be on till 24 of May. If you are a fan of his work and the Barbican itself, it is worth a visit. I learnt about his master works around the world, the artists and countries that inspired him, his most famous buildings, furniture he loved and created, etc... a very well curated exhibition in one of my favorites buildings in London, the Barbican centre. Of course I always get lost there, and takes me for ever to find the main entrance to the hall, but still enjoy the architecture and idea of the whole building and housing complex surrounding it. 

This book is huge!! and great!! it shows his letters, skech books, pictures of himself, friends and work, etc...too heavy to bring it home but wonderful anyway!! 

This pictures show some areas of the Barbican. The Centre, was designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon in the Brutalist style, and built in the 70's.

SHANE WALTENER

I met Shane Waltener at Morley College when I was studding textiles, he was one of my teachers at the time. I have enjoyed since them some of his installations in London. Here is a selection of his work, visit his website – a very nice one by the way – to get a better idea of his workshops, sculptures and installations. 

Beautiful Bread: Moribund mural (creeper’s delight) 2006, salt dough.

Tagging Tate 2007, Tate Britain, London
A two-day exploration of sugar, slogans and tagging. Participants in these workshops were given an opportunity to debate themes around the 1807–2007 commemoration of the Act abolishing slavery and look at the politically-charged work of Mark Wallinger. To conclude the workshops, the walls of the Duveen galleries and entrance to Tate Britain were tagged using sugar as a medium.

CLIVES's work

I saw Clive's latest work at the 'Have you seen this head' event, organised by SLAGTIME.ORG a couple of weeks ago. Clive previously worked as a Toy designer and at the time he started to sculpt figures in clay, this process has freed him to explore new creative areas. He describe his work as: 'The characters I create are those who choose to push the boundaries of what is considered normal society. That is not to say that they are necessarily desperate or bad but choose to express themselves on their skin. A commitment which takes great courage.Their individual journey mapped out on their skin, each bust has its own story to tell of which we can only speculate.'

There is this  quality of vulnerability in the characters that I like a lot, plus the fabric inspired decoration in the on glaze enamels, (done by his wife Elaine). 

Victor Manuel

Victor Manuel is an plastic artist based in Tenerife, (Canary Island, Spain), I met him when we were studying Fine Art in Tenerife. He has worked in different media, such as canvas, paper, etching, etc...This piece of work won my heart, I think it is very clever the way he has used the flip flops as a support to express this very sensitive message. It talks about the vast amount of refugees that arrive at the islands coasts every day seeking a better life.  Unfortunally many of then die in their way there or are deported back to their countries.  (This is a very upsetting and important subject that deserve much more than I can write in here).

I hope you enjoy this work as much as I do.

Butterflies, insects, beetles...

This gorgeous images are from kate's work at our college final year show. We met at our textile course at Morley quite a few years ago. When I decided to enroll in this course I didn't have great expectation about it, but I have to say that it is being one of the best things I have done in my life.  Not only got a good training in textiles but made very good friends that last till today. The tutors are very supportive, always willing to help and challenge your views. I am very proud of our final year's exhibition, the standard of the work was very high. 

I would recommend the courses to anyone who is thinking of going into textiles!!

Kate worked so hard on this pieces, and you can see why!!! how many insect did she cut out!!! She first dyed the papers, draw the insects, cut the shapes and place them everywhere... She is so talented!!! I admire her a lot!!! 

ALISON WILLOUGHBY bespoke skirts

Fancy a skirt? Don't go far...this bespoke skirts by textile designer Alison Willoughby are the ones to wear!! I like the fact that she uses the skirts like a painting canvas. In them she explores techniques such as printing, knitting and deconstruction, and a vast variaty of materials, paper, plastics, fabrics, yarns and shapes. They are  a real treat!! 

HANNAH LAMB textiles

Hannah Lamb objects are so cute!! I first saw her work at the New Designer's show a couple of years ago, The globes and handbags were the most beautiful thing in the whole show. Very different and full of details.

They are collectable pieces!

Visit her website for galleries and exhibitions dates.

Margarida Palma work

I found a book from the MA Printmaking 2004 at Camberwell College in my paper archive, and discover Margarida palma's work, I like her work very much, but specially the fabric dolls. There is something about them that makes them look very vulnerable, either is the naked little bodies, or the shapes of their heads, legs and arms. I like the mix media going drawings, printing, textiles, etc...

EVENT – Midcentury.Modern

Midcentury.Modern
March 29th 2009
Dulwich College SE21

Great design at great prices, Midcentury.Modern is an unpretentious one stop shop for busy people who appreciate collecting beautiful pieces for their homes. This accessible design show attracts everyone from the eco-conscious for its vintage offering downstairs to design junkies on the lookout for hot designers including new names Zoe Murphy and Genevieve Bennett and stalwarts People Will Always Need Plates. Buy everything from an original Eames rocker or Nelson bench to contemporary wallpaper, glass and ceramics. Spend a less-than-lazy Sunday with some of Britain’s top mid-century dealers in Scandinavian, European and American mid-century furniture and decorative arts in this beautiful light and bright concrete, glass and wood 60's architect-designed building. Everything by the designers is less than rrp for this one day only. Prices £10 upwards. 10 - 4pm. Refreshments available. £6 entry. Free for kids under 14. Please note that the majority of dealers and designers take cash or cheques.

Rob Ryan Exhibition at St Judes

Rob Ryan's intricate hand cut images and screen prints are on sale at St Jude's Gallery in North Norfolk until 10th Jan. I hope to find time to whiz over to Aylsham and have a look as having lived in Norwich for a year now, I am ashamed to say I still haven't visited.
St. Judes printed textiles and cushion covers can also be bought online with last delivery date for Christmas the 19th Dec. Angie Lewin's notebooks make particularly good stocking fillers. Their blog All Things Considered is definitely worth a look too..