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

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

Emily Sutton
Posted by Simon Lewin

We head back south to Edinburgh on Friday for the opening of Emily Sutton's "People and Places" exhibition at The Scottish Gallery. Below are a few of our favourite images (we're now the proud owners of the first).

Mark Hearld has written a few words about the show which includes work based both in the UK and from trips to Europe...

"This collection of work sees Emily taking an up-close look at the high street in Italy and Portugal – a hat shop in Siena, a pair of stone lions in Lucca, a glove shop in Lisbon. Emily’s fascination with the visual particularity of each shop window or scene comes to life in a series of ink and watercolour drawings. Hand-lettered signage, architectural details, characters going about their daily lives are seen with a keen eye and expressed with a deft hand."

The exhibition runs at The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6HZ until 24th December 2011.

And all being well, you'll get a chance to see Deep Sea, our latest fabric by Emily - the follow up to her award winning Curiosity Shop.

Posted by Simon Lewin on November 30th, 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

Mark Hearld & Emily Sutton in Harrogate
Posted by Simon Lewin

A new exhibition opened earlier today in Harrogate, featuring the work of Mark Hearld and Emily Sutton.

The show features paintings, collages, prints, ceramics and other objects.

Below are a few of our favourite pieces from the exhibition which runs until 20th November 2011 at Godfrey and Watt in Harrogate.

Mark and Emily will join Angie in our next St. Jude's in the City exhibition in London in May 2012.

And Angie will be exhibiting at Godfrey and Watt during 2012. Sign up for Angie's e-mail newsletter if you'd like details nearer the time.

Mark Hearld "Autumn Partridges"

Mark Hearld "Pescheria, Venezia"

Emily Sutton "Still Life with Three Birds"

Emily Sutton "Ralph Yates and Sons"

Posted by Simon Lewin on November 12th, 2011

The Mind’s Eye
Posted by Simon Lewin

If you're anywhere near York before Saturday 19th November do call in at this temporary art gallery and exhibition at 8 Bootham.

Curated by Lotte Inch, The Mind's Eye features work by both York and London based artists. The exhibition features prints, jewellery, stationery and other handmade items. 

And you'll find St. Jude's cushion covers designed by Mark Hearld, Emily Sutton and Angie Lewin.

The exhibition runs until Saturday 19th November 2011 at 8 Bootham, York YO30 7BL.

Posted by Simon Lewin on November 7th, 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

Paul Bommer’s Wunderkabinett
Posted by Simon Lewin

Illustrator & printmaker Paul Bommer has an exhibition of his work in London on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2011 at 15 Wilkes Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6QF. For further information on Paul's work visit www.paulbommer.com

Paul has also contributed four wonderful pages of illustrations for our forthcoming Random Spectacular journal.

Posted by Simon Lewin on October 27th, 2011