All Things Considered

So What
Posted by Simon Lewin

Perhaps one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, Miles Davis' 'So What' - the opening track on the 1959 album 'Kind of Blue' - featured as part of BBC Radio 4's excellent 'Soul Music' series.

For the next few days you'll be able to listen to the documentary in full via the BBC's iPlayer feature.

In the meantime, enjoy...

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 30th, 2008

Perfect Pad Norwich
Posted by Simon Lewin

Just back from the opening of a new gallery in Norwich, an addition to the Perfect Pad's design led store.

The opening show features the work of our friends Beth Morrison and Trevor Woods. Trevor has a number of paintings on show at the Perfect Pad, though his stunning 'The City Panoramic' can be seen at Doric Arts in Holt. For further examples of Trevor's work, visit www.twoodsimages.co.uk

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 26th, 2008

Dovecot Studios – Edinburgh
Posted by Angie Lewin

On Saturday 27th September you’ll be able to visit the newly renovated Dovecot Tapestry Studio in its new home  - a former Victorian baths in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

In August I had a chance to see the current exhibition which displays a range of the tapestries created over the past 50 years through the collaboration of the Dovecot’s weavers with a range of  artists including Bawden, Moore, Paolozzi and Hockney. Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT www.dovecotstudios.com

Posted by Angie Lewin on September 25th, 2008

Rob Ryan
Posted by Simon Lewin

I'm not entirely sure if this has been published yet, but Rob Ryan recently created this book jacket - one of a series - for Louis de Bernieres.

We're already looking forward to Rob's exhibition with us, opening on Saturday 22nd November. We'll be featuring a selection of Rob's prints, some of his ceramic tiles and hopefully a few other goodies.

And Rob has kindly agreed to design our 2008 charity Christmas card.

Last year we raised £1200 for Maggie's Centre and we're hoping to beat that, even if it's just by a few pounds.

We'll aim to have the cards ready in early November with all profits going to charity - not the rather mean contributions made by most High Street stores (this is an enlightening article). We haven't costed this year's card, but in 2007, for each £1.75 card, 75p went to Maggie's.

As soon as Rob has completed the design we'll post details here but if you'd like to receive an e-mail as soon as the cards are launched, please sign up for our e-mail newsletter.

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 21st, 2008

Mr. Bawden’s House
Posted by Simon Lewin

'Mr Bawden's House' is another of the series of Christopher Brown's 14  'East Coasting' prints that will form part of his exhibition at St. Jude's. This opens on September 20th at 10am. Do join us if you can.

Brian Webb, of award winning design consultancy Webb & Webb, discusses Chris' prints...    

“If Chris Brown’s postcard size pictures of East Anglian landmarks were picture postcards they would be the ones you would send to your closest friends.

The lino cuts that illustrate East Coasting, following on from 'Cuts from Memory', are full of incident and detail - look out for Edward Bawden,  portfolio under his arm, walking out of the picture of 'Brick House'.

Bawden, Chris Brown’s tutor at the Royal College of Art wrote, “you are a line chap just as I am and as you know there is nothing that gives greater vivacity to a drawing than quality of line”. Bawden could have added colour which Chris now uses with delicious delicacy. ”

The 14 linocuts are hand-printed on Konoko handmade Japanese paper, each limited to an edition of 25 copies.

A limited number of each print are available for purchase online before our East Coasting exhibition opens at the gallery on 20th September 2008.

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 13th, 2008

East Coasting
Posted by Simon Lewin

'Southwold, Closing Time' is just one of the series of 14 linocuts prints by Christopher Brown that make up 'East Coasting', the next exhibition at St. Jude's.

Christopher Brown was born in London in 1953. He attended the Royal College of Art where he was introduced to, and eventually assisted, Edward Bawden, the master of the linocut. It was Bawden who encouraged him to explore this medium.

Since then, Christopher has exhibited at the Michael Parkin Gallery, The Royal Academy, the Fry Gallery, The Fine Art Society, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Do join us on Saturday 20th September 2008 to celebrate the opening of the exhibition.

Posted by Simon Lewin on September 8th, 2008

Stabo – Short Tactical Airborne Operation
Posted by Kate Sullivan

I came across Stabo at Creake Abbey Studio's, North Creake, Norfolk earlier today. At the far end of the yard, the monthly farmers market was in full swing, selling what looked like an excellent and varied selection of locally produced food and drink.

At the near end of the yard, there are a number of converted barns, Stabo an accessories and clothing shop is situated in one of these. Owners Ed Benn and Ros Hathorn make traditional work-wear jackets, (a sort of shorter
version of the one Arkwright used to wear in 'Open all Hours'), waxed
cags (cagoules), bivvy trousers made from old 1950's tents, leather
bags and shopper bags made from parachutes. They also screenprint their own designs onto leather accessories and t-shirts for children.

As well as selling from their studio at Creake Abbey, they also sell at The All Saints Garden Art and Craft Market Cambridge on Saturdays and on Sundays, Spitalfields East London although I think they may be having a months holiday from the latter two locations.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on September 6th, 2008