London-dinium

As I mentioned in the previous post I was at London last Sunday and Monday with my good friend and partner in crime Lisa Marie Wright. After a long Sunday sightseeing and gigging at Versailles on Monday morning we set about to visit some art galleries. We ventured to the Saatchi Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum and even cheesed it half way across London to visit the Barbican.
We took over a hundred photos each but I feel its important to share and highlight the best findings I came across on my part of the visit. p.s. Check out Lisa Wright's blog for some awesome insight into her work the latest being a great insight into using wax and other materials in casting processes.

 The above 3 photographs are created by Thomas Houseago. Since a lot of my drawing studies do become sculptural or installation resulted, especially in my previous years studying contemporary fine art practice. Ive automatically fallen inlove with this series of work. Its as if Thomas Houseago has drawn large human forms onto a sheet of plaster which he then broke apart and reassembled into a three dimensional standing structure. The structure visually appeared to be held by steel rods with the drawn plates attached by hessian and rope drenched in plaster to act as a glue. Its so rough and almost unfinished its like looking at a page in someones sketchbook and I am adoring his work. There was also a lot of practice in body casting and structure building which was a fantastic insight into how his practice works.

Samsul Arifin, "Time After Time", 2010, Oil on Canvas, 200x150cm

 This piece by Samsul Arifin reminds me how fun art can be. Its such a highly detailed piece with a childlike addition. Now I detest painting especially with oils. But the results speak for themselves in his own choice of medium.

Eddie Hara, "Lost in a Wasteland", 2010, Acrylic on Canvas, 150x240 cm

 At first glance I thought it was a large drawing piece so I will admit it, I was disappointed to discover it to be another painting. I enjoy his style but I see nothing relating to my own practice as I cant draw cartoons let alone have a style of cartoons to save myself. However its the use of lines, limited colour and the way he layered his work which really makes me smile.
All of these above images were in the Saatchi Gallery at current the main focus is on Sculptural works but its still a fantastic place to visit.

These pieces were on sale in the V&A giftshop for a small price of £75 to £300... If only I were a rich student. The work is by Emma Cowlam and are Hand Stitched Illustrations. Ive tried out drawing with needle and thread in the past and I did greatly enjoy it my only problem is that Im obsessive over neat stitches especially in my drawing practice I can be obsessed with neat lines. But I am loving her style and especially the fact she hasnt drawn faces the whole focus is on the body and clothes making these pieces really nice for selling. I would love a couple of these in my studio someday.

One of the best things about visiting the V&A was the exhibition on "The Power of Making" sadly we were not allowed to take photographs although there were plenty of people taking sly "text messages" if you know what I mean... If you're ever in London I highly suggest paying a visit, some things you may recognise is David Mach's Wire Coathanger Gorrilla which I have to admit, I thought it would be bigger...

The last Gallery we visited was the Barbican Its a strange place to be as it does theater, plays, art, music, film and dance... The colours inside are of neon orange, black and greys. Its so strange as the design of the building flows wierdly but I can only assume thats the purpose. Anyways, our main reason to visit was the current installation at the Barbicans "Curve"...

Junya Ishigami: Architecture as Air all I can say is holy freaking smeg... When you go to visit the work, you must take your shoes off and go in small groups of 5 because of the fragile nature of the work. And as we walked through the exhibition I'll admit it, I was bored, I couldnt see a single thing I was wondering why the heck I was brought there to look at something invisible because that is the whole element of the work. But as you walk around the corner and your guide explains the processes and what is actually there in this massive white sterile curved room its suddenly revieled. No wonder you weren't allowed to take your camera in for photographs, you couldnt see the dam thing until a second assistant wearing all black stood behind to show the hidden work. 

Have you ever walked about and suddenly felt something cross your face or mouth and think "omg its a spiderweb!" and you pick and rub your face to get the sensation off because you cant possibly see it. Well these highly thin strands of carbon fibre which hold and support the thicker strands were thinner than that. Were talking 0.02 mm thick strands, a strand of my own hair is 0.5mm (yes I actually measured, and thats even with my hair being thick natured) I came out of that exhibition room with my brains sprayed about in my head the term "mindfuck" is real and thats what Junya Ishigami did to me. Im still ranting about it to this very second. I couldnt wait to tell my tutor Dot I seriously wanted her to drop her classroom plans, jump in her car, drive down to the Barbican in London and experience the crazy.

Junya Ishigami you have my respect forever.

London, thanks for having me in your city next time ill bring more money and extra comfy shoes... maybe even flipflops because I will never get used to your 32 degree temperature...