All Things Considered

Dieter Rams
Posted by Simon Lewin

We're hoping to get along to the Dieter Rams exhibition at the Design Museum in the next few days. First became aware of his work through Vitsoe (we've developed a bit of an addiction for his shelving system) though as a kid I remember Dad having one of his Braun alarm clocks.

Particularly like Dieter Rams' Ten Principles of good design:

Good design is innovative.
Good design makes a product useful.
Good design is aesthetic.
Good design makes a product understandable.
Good design is unobtrusive.
Good design is honest.
Good design is long-lasting.
Good design is thorough down to the last detail.
Good design is environmentally friendly.
Good design is as little design as possible.

The exhibition runs at the Design Museum until March 2010 (if you visit before the end of January you'll also be able to see the show about the work of architect David Chipperfield). Here's a film about Rams' work for Vitsoe:

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 30th, 2009

Hue & Cry
Posted by Simon Lewin

We're very proud to have been supporting the Edward Bawden exhibition that's on at the Bedford Museum & Gallery, running until the 31st of January 2010.

And on Thursday 21st January you can visit the gallery for a free screening of the 1947 Ealing comedy 'Hue & Cry' for which Bawden designed the poster below. The film will be screened at 7.00pm.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 28th, 2009

Rob Ryan
Posted by Simon Lewin

We were very happy to receive Rob Ryan's virtual Christmas card. We have a number of Rob Ryan prints in our online store - with more due in the New Year. And you can view the animated card in full on Rob's website.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 24th, 2009

Bawden and Fortnum & Mason
Posted by Simon Lewin

Here's another piece by Edward Bawden for Fortnum & Mason, this time for Christmas 1955.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 23rd, 2009

Jerusalem artichokes
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Knobbly, crunchy, nutty and unsociable when eaten (which winter vegetable isn't?).

To me, Jerusalem artichokes (a plant related to the sunflower) are a delicious but often over looked vegetable. Having a similar taste to the spiky summer fruiting globe artichoke but without the arduous preparation (especially when preserving).

The winter choke is fabulous eaten raw with a remoulade salad, comforting when pureed to a soup and topped with scallops or my favourite - sliced then baked in a dish with cream, thyme, garlic, pancetta and parmesan.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on December 20th, 2009

Christmas at Fortnum & Mason
Posted by Simon Lewin

In the first of a brief series, here's a cover of the 1958 Fortnum & Mason Christmas catalogue, illustrated by Edward Bawden. Taken from the wonderful 'Entertaining À La Carte', which details much of Bawden's work for the company.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 19th, 2009

Caught By The River
Posted by Simon Lewin

We've talked about Caught By The River a fair bit this year - it's one of the websites I find myself visiting most frequently.

Their book, a collection of words on water, was published earlier this year and is a joy. I've got a copy, but if I didn't, I'd be hoping for one for Christmas. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in rivers or the great outdoors in general. You can purchase a copy direct online.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 16th, 2009

A Norwich Prospect
Posted by Simon Lewin

We had a great day at the gallery on Saturday, the opening of our Christmas exhibition featuring Ed Kluz, Angie Lewin and Chris Brown.

Just two of Ed's unique pieces are currently unsold - Ham House and this wonderful collage of Norwich. If you're interested in purchasing either, please drop us a line.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 14th, 2009

Wymondham Abbey – Ed Kluz
Posted by Simon Lewin

And another piece from our exhibition opening tomorrow - this is a paper collage of Norfolk's Wymondham Abbey. Visit our website for more from Ed Kluz.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 11th, 2009

Blickling Hall – Ed Kluz
Posted by Simon Lewin

Here's another one-off piece by Ed Kluz which will feature in our Christmas exhibition, opening on Saturday 12th December 2009.

The central image is a relief collage made
 using paper coloured with gouache and Indian ink.

The surrounding frame is mixed media (china graph crayon, gouache, Indian ink, wax), based on 17th century English 'raised work'.

We'll be adding further images to our gallery website towards the end of the week.

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 9th, 2009