British Art Now: Part II

The Saatchi gallery have pronounced that this showcase is a "museum-scale survey of emergent British contemporary art" which adds to the already high expectation from the gallery which introduced the world to acclaimed leading-edge artists such as Tracy Emin and Damien Hirst.

Therefore it’s initially disappointing when there is nothing shocking or controversial on display and there are many more paintings than there is; photography, sculpture and mixed media but perhaps this is reflective on changing times and styles. The curator told us, “Although some of these artists have just graduated and some are in their 40’s, they are a different generation to our previous exhibitions. They merge traditional and contemporary, east and west, celebrity and classicism.”

As you enter you’re greeted with Ansel Krut’s oil work which is direct, funny and doesn’t require reading an essay to understand. He attempts to create a weird juxtaposition within his work, with arses mooning at you through flowers and alcohol being poured directly into someone’s brain.

Jonathan Wateridge had the most exciting collection; at first I thought the gallery was filled with blown up photographs of famous scenes I’ve seen before. On closer inspection of ‘Space Program’ it’s actually an intricate painting which plays on our sense of familiar, the ship is unfinished with a milk bottle top and the astronauts costume made of plumbing gear. When you do realise, although it’s comedic it makes you consider how much you really view and consider images of symbolic status. Another artist creating fictional scenes is Anne Hardy who built theatrical and fantasy inspired rooms in her studio, of buried rooms and surveillance grottos, yet despite the intricate work to make such a scenario she chooses to present them in 2D, through flattened photography.

Following the theme of comedic commentary, James Howard used 46 photoshopped prints inspired by spam e-mails in his junk folder. He Uses text and images which pray on insecurities and needs of the common person, advertising and attempting to entice people with false hopes of money or seeing their loved ones who have passed away. The text is child-like and unbelievable, almost a replica of the trashy spam I find myself receiving. He said, “I work with urgency to get as much of this stuff processed before it’s entirely lost: soon spam filters will be so advanced that we’ll forget what spam e-mail ever was.”

Although I felt a lot of the paintings where unmemorable and these artists are still largely unknown in the wider art world, these new British artists are tipped as the successors to the famous Young British Artists of the 1990s. It’s an exhibition definitely worth checking out and will be open until April 2011 at the Saatchi Gallery, King's Road, Chelsea.

As with some other posts, this will feature on The Other Side Magazine.

Colin McDowell vs Matthew Williamson

“Matthew Williamson’s universe is a kaleidoscope of colour. He creates a world where everyone is gorgeous, glamorous, and golden. There’s a reason why ‘It’ girls love him; without Matthew they’d just be girls”. – Glenda Bailey. Editor-in-Chief, Harpers Bazaar.

A few days ago, talking at the V&A lecture theatre with legendary fashion curator Colin McDowell, Williamson recalled his grey upbringing, how his interest for fashion started at the tender age of 11 and the difficulties of studying at incomparable but cut-throat environment that is St Martins at only 17.

The hall had a pretentious and showy atmosphere where CSM students asserted their presence and professionals scanned the audience for the common people who had actually paid to attend. This climate dropped when Colin & Matthew both humble and modest took their seats and divulged into Williamson’s life, where about his childhood he said how struck he was with sombre Manchester and it provided none of the colours he craved, a contrast to the exotic colours he lives amongst within his designs today. Clearly his creativity has always shone through, his mother told that “he would sit at the kitchen table drawing, easily resisting an invitation to go out and play.”

Openly Williamson continued openly about university life at one of the UAL colleges (which are still renowned and have an increasing amount of applicants each year), "I was 17 when I started there which was so young and a lot of the people on my course were in their fifties and sixties," he explained. "I didn't have a clear idea at that stage of what sort of look I wanted to create and I spent a lot of time feeling like the black sheep. I constantly felt confused why everyone went to lunatic asylums for inspiration and I just wanted to make hot, sexy clothes. I powered through though because I knew I was meant to be there." While studying here he met his then partner and still business partner Joseph Velosa, they had a relationship resembling a silverscreen romance where they travelled around the world and trecked across India where Williamson got a long lasting inspiration for his clothes.

It was inspiration by Joseph which kickstarted his career, "I remember looking down the Vogue masthead and thinking 'Plum Sykes - I like the sound of her'. So I sent her a selection of swatches and samples and a week on I was sitting in Vogue House surrounded by Vogue editors wanting me to make them dresses." The entirety of his exciting career, his celebrity friendships and his stories about Kate Moss & McDonalds can be found in his new book, which was essentially what this lecture was to advertise. It can be purchased easily online or from specialist magazine and book stores such as R D Franks at 5 Winsley St. London.

Matthew Williamson’s may be slowly aging, at a point where he can finally release a book but his SS11 collection has sumptuous bodice style tops and dresses, animal prints and stunning electric blues and this is what will keep his clothes young forever.


As with some other posts, this will feature on The Other Side Magazine.

I Blame Coco @ Scala 20/10/10

When you’re the daughter of Sting and Trudie Styler it would be easy to get overlooked by music snobs because of celebrity association, especially when you’re an ex Burberry model and have many high profile friends who have suffered tabloid hell. Despite this affiliation and regardless of little mainstream radio airplay, Coco Sumner successfully sold out the albeit dingy venue that is the Scala.

Coco has bought all this about by herself but it’s impossible to ignore the smoky husk of her dad’s voice which reminisces in her vocals, this teamed up with her unique low and cool tone gives her a commanding presence over the audience. The crowd were sharply dressed and a jumble of all ages whom all appeared to appreciate her awkward but intense performance which she pulled off with a certain haughty demeanour that enabled her to sing deep lyrics without appearing overly pretentious.

The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and when IBC finally drifted on stage and instigated their set, most people seemed to know every word of coco’s unreleased album and those who didn’t caught on quickly to the immediately capturing hooks such as ‘I’m not a human if you say I’m not, I’m not a human if my hinges lock.’ Her endearing set list progressed with the obvious raw emotion shown through tracks like scrapped single ‘Quicker’. It’s almost outrage how none of these songs have made it to number one, especially with they have on trend style and genuine authenticity which resembles artists like; Ellie Goulding, Marina & the Diamonds and Hurts.

After just over half an hour she announced ‘one of the biggest popstars of the moment’ would be joining her on stage, initially I gripped my friends arm stupidly anticipating her father would be making an appearance, however I was still in an unexpected awe when an energetic Robyn joined for their duet single ‘Ceasar’ where the vocals harmonised and beautifully contrasted; an incredible way to end a concert in such an intimate setting. 

As with some other posts, this will feature on The Other Side Magazine.

The Art of Giving

Tracy Brambrough stood in the house of fairy-tales amongst a circle of silver mushrooms and introduced the night with an emotional talk about personal losses and how they evoked a need for her and her partner to support those in need, in response to their inner needs they created a whimsical platform to enhance artists from unknown to recognized while raising awareness and financial support for worldwide charities and the artists themselves. 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill

Their platform is fittingly called 'the art of giving' and this year held at one of the most renowned galleries in the world, the Saatchi gallery and thanks to an invite from The Times i was able to make an appearance at the private showing. I'd suspected the event was going to be slightly high brow so i had only myself to blame when i felt edgy while grabbing at the free champagne despite wearing torn skinnys and un-laceable boots.

Oliver Marsden - Black Africa Dub - £6,000

There is a unique story behind every creation or purchase of art and especially if that piece of art has changed peoples lives, everything at Saatchi was for sale with 50% supporting the artist and 50% the charity. The House Of Fairytales uses; creative play, story telling and art exhibitions to teach and open up the mind of children and teenagers. 'You can discover more about a person in an hour of play, than a year of conversation" - Plato. Other charities include Stepping Stones Nigeria who help the persecuted and orphaned children of Africa who have been accused of witchcraft by people abusing spirituality. Artists supporting SSN include Beezy Bailey with his silver sculpture of a dancing Jesus and Zake Ove with Exodus; an african street constructed by model cars with African dolls hanging from cars in the street, missing limbs. 


Classic Fm Music Makers is a charity dedicated to help underprivileged and disabled children, their gallery room is dominated by a mountain of speakers which stands guards to the most staggering entertainment memorabilia including hair raising Terry o Neil prints of  Elton John & The Beatles and Drew Walker's face portraits of idols like Kate Moss.

My personal favorite up and coming artists displayed at TAOG include; Adrian Di Duca, Yosef Cohen, Paul Digby, Nerea Martinez de Lecea & Rachel Lumsden, definitely worth investigating these! The exhibition opened today, for one day only, to the public and hopefully will encourage long term support for artists and worthwhile charities.


As with some other posts, this will feature on The Other Side Magazine.

D-Gnak by Kang-D s/s 11

Korean based designer Dong Jun Kang launched D-Gnak back in 2006 and two weeks ago held his debut London Fashion Week show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

This s/s 11 collection is exploring the hectic, stressed and harassed life of an overworked man; their rushed lives being shown through the chaotic anti-attention to detail. Gentlemen's tailored suits had been rebelliously altered with drawstrings around the ankles, ties out lapels of jackets and exaggerated length of the sleeves. 

The palette of the collection is bleak with greys, blacks and camels being the most prominent colours which reflect the sense of coldness and personal detachment, however there is also signs of azure blues and contrasting greens which occasionally suggest a softer feel of comfort. The collection was perfectly accessorised by Kang-D's collaboration with shoe brand Sanuk. 


With the increasingly popular gentlemen and sartorial elegant image both on the street and catwalk, i'm sure most men wouldn't dare to risk a zhooshy shirt with a completely contrasting panel or a third sleeve sewn to a shoulder which all looks slightly omi-palone. However many of the clothes here are true to D-Gnak's aesthetic of casual tailoring with a heavy use of asymmetry and with well made, classic tailored clothes, they're perfect for this season and for any gentlemen's' wardrobe.

The show ended on a lighthearted comical note which had everyone ogling the models final walk who came out in tailored pajamas, maybe the only time workaholics aren't stressed but i guess the tailored rigidness of the night depends on your partner..

Although i was second row, i'm definitely not a photographer. So to get a proper viewing of the clobber, check out this video. If you look carefully you can see me near the entrance (looking like a gorm).