All Things Considered

The Joy of Books
Posted by Simon Lewin

An amazing piece of stop frame animation that is proving very popular on Facebook and the like...

Posted by Simon Lewin on January 14th, 2012

Ben Bryden
Posted by Simon Lewin

Now living in New York, saxophonist and composer Ben Bryden is back in Scotland for an appearance in Edinburgh on Saturday night.

Ben has collaborated with poet Rab Wilson on 1957 Flying Scot, a book and CD set celebrating Glasgow's great heritage of building high quality racing and touring bicycles. The eponymous marque was once the dream and aspiration of many working class boys in Scotland. They were incredibly expensive, exotic and desirable objects in their day.

Rab's sonnets feature both in the book and read on one of the CDs. The second CD features music inspired by the work, composed and performed by Ben.

The book and CD set is illustrated throughout by Hugh Bryden and published by his Roncadora Press.

On Saturday 7th January 2012, Rab and Ben will launch the edition from 7pm at Ronde Cycle Café, 66-68 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5AZ.

Whilst in New York, Ben also collaborates with fellow tenor saxophonist Steven Delannoye on the Bright Noise project.

An EP of new material has just been released, with an illustrated sleeve by our mutual friend Jonny Hannah. Full details via Ben's website.

Posted by Simon Lewin on January 6th, 2012

Ronald Searle
Posted by Simon Lewin

We were sorry to hear that illustrator/cartoonist Ronald Searle, perhaps best known for his St. Trinian's girls' school creations, passed away on 30th December 2011 at the age of 91.

Here's one of his cover illustrations for The New Yorker.

Posted by Simon Lewin on January 3rd, 2012

Rob Ryan’s Christmas window
Posted by Angie Lewin

Something I'd meant to write about before Christmas is this brilliant window display that Rob Ryan has created for Coutts Bank at 440 Strand - opposite Charing Cross station.

The window has been created to raise fund for Kids Company. There will be an auction of the stuffed elephant, doll's house and rocking horse that form part of the display. But you can also make a £5 donation to Kids Company by texting KIDS HELP to 70700.

Posted by Angie Lewin on December 30th, 2011

Neil Cowley Trio
Posted by Simon Lewin

Here the Neil Cowley Trio perform 'Rooster Was A Witness' from their forthcoming album 'The Face Of Mount Molehill', out on 23rd January 2012 on Naim Jazz Records. The video was shot at the Nelson Brewery in the heart of Chatham's historic dockyard.

The album is available for pre-order now - and the first 50 copies ordered from Proper Music will be signed by the Trio.

The Trio will tour the UK from 15th March 2012, starting at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Full details from www.neilcowleytrio.com

Posted by Simon Lewin on December 17th, 2011

Regine Ramseier
Posted by Angie Lewin

The structure of dandelion seedheads has always fascinated me. But I think Regine Ramseier’s installation captures their delicate nature in a wonderful way.

My total lack of German means I can only enjoy the photographs and I just wish I’d a chance to see this piece in reality. I wonder how long it lasted? View further images

Posted by Angie Lewin on December 12th, 2011

Grayson Perry
Posted by Simon Lewin

 I took a trip to the British Museum last week for Grayson Perry's The Tomb of Unknown Craftsmen exhibition.

The show features various new works by Perry alongside objects made by unknown men and women throughout history from the British Museum’s collection.

The exhibition runs until 19th February 2012. Booking recommended.

Here are a few snaps from outside the exhibition itself.

Posted by Simon Lewin on November 23rd, 2011

Spektrum Print Collective
Posted by Simon Lewin

'Northern Soul' by Alfons Bytautas (below) is one of the prints that will be included at First Press, the inaugural exhibition of works by members of the speKtrum print collective.

With exhibiting artists including Gill Tyson, David Faithfull, Kelly Stewart, Norman McBeath and Chris Sleath, this will be a new showcase for innovative printmakers.

And 50% of the exhibition profits will be donated to Waverley Care - one of Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C support networks.

The exhibition will be held at the Whitespace Gallery in Gayfield Square, Edinburgh. It opens on the 26th of November and runs until the 15th of December 2011.

Posted by Simon Lewin on November 7th, 2011

Edward Burra
Posted by Simon Lewin

A new exhibition opens at the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, West Sussex tonight, presenting the first major show for over 25 years of the work of Edward Burra (1905 – 1976), one of the most individual and celebrated British artists of the twentieth century. 

The show will feature Burra’s iconic images of everyday people at leisure in bars and clubs, the black culture of 1930's Harlem, the sub-culture of harbours and ports, his macabre dancing skeletons and stunning late landscapes. The exhibition will also explore the influence of jazz music and cinema, and his forays into the darker sides of humanity.

Simon Martin, Head of Curatorial Services at Pallant House Gallery, and curator of the exhibition says: ‘Burra deserves to be considered as one of the greatest British artists of the twentieth century: utterly unique, and to be celebrated for his extraordinary individuality. It is a real coup for Pallant House Gallery not only to be introducing Burra’s work to a new generation of gallery visitors, but also to present recently rediscovered works to Burra’s many admirers.’

The exhibition runs from 22nd October 2011 until 19th February 2012 at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester. For full details visit the gallery's website. 

Simon Martin has also edited this forthcoming book on Burra's work, published for the exhibition.

Simon will also be contributing to our forthcoming journal, Random Spectacular.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 21st, 2011

Rob Ryan
Posted by Simon Lewin

Here's a great little film about Rob Ryan and his work.

You can view a selection of tiles and prints over at our online store.

Rob will be exhibiting in Cambridge later this month in a joint exhibition with Angie.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 12th, 2011