Inkspot is the latest studio to emerge after the old BIP printmaking studio closed in April.
In May BIP - ART situated in a mews in Kemptown opened, specialising in litho, traditional etching and handpress relief prints.
Inkspot Press launched this Saturday with a BBQ, printmaking demo's, party and music.
Inkspot is using the old BIP studio on the Lewes Road but that is where the similarity ends. The studio has been cleared, painted and refurbished. New lighting installed, and the studio redesigned to give a clear, light clean space where artists can produce prints and work efficiently.
The Studio houses 4 large screenbeds, 2 proofing presses for letterpress printing (along with 180 cases of type), a Hunter-Penrose etching press suitable for printing collagraph or etching plates or similar (there aren't facilities at the studio for traditional acid etching) and a hydraulic 'Polymataal' relief press. Inkspot is also employing a studio manager - Nim - to keep the studio and equipment running efficiently.
It's good to see that letterpress printing is being rediscovered by young designers today and allied to printmaking whole new ideas an innovations are emerging - artists books etc. Inkspot has a letter press section with a fantastic FAG (swiss made) Proofing Press as well as an American Vandercook proofing press, and 180 cases of wooden poster type and metal fonts. They said that letterpress classes at the studio already have a waiting list.
Less attractive but more practical than the old BIP cast iron Columbian Press is "The Beast" - the Polymetaal relief press. It's the same size as a Columbian and the same basic design but instead of using a lever to print the press uses an electric / hydraulic system which enables high pressures to be achieved than the old hand press which was designed more for type than large solid colour woodcuts (solid colour needs more pressure). I haven't personally tested "The Beast" yet but those who have say how forgiving it is and easy to use - even printing warped blocks perfectly if they can be inked properly.
Hunter-Penrose etching press nice heavy geared etching press.
Inkspot Press hasn't had time to design their website so I strongly suggest you go and have a look round the press. The courses in screenprinting, woodcut and letterpress have already started and Inkspot are taking bookings for future courses and summer-schools.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Inkspot Press - Launch
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Artist of the Week - Jane Ford
Jane Ford works from her studio in Kent. Her latest series of works have been semi-abstract reflections of New York city as mirrored in its glass skyscrapers.
Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I trained at Newcastle-under-Lyme School of Art Staffordshire in the very early '70's when Art Schools were Art Schools. It gave me discipline and a comprehensive knowledge of techniques and how to use 'the tools of the trade' to my advantage . It could have taught me flexability, I learnt that through experience.
When and where did you first want to do what you do?
I was about 5 when I first wanted to paint. My uncle was the head designer for Spode Pottery and in his spare time painted for pleasure, he allowed me to have a go.
One favourite living artist?
Lucien Freud. Love his technique.
One favourite historical artist?
John Singer-Sargeant. The man could do anything, in any media, with any subject.
Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
Travel mainly especially in The Big Apple Dreaming Series. Faces and how they relate to 16th century faces in the Ombra della Maschere series and a dead Stoat in the wildlife series.........poor thing found in the road was so lovely.
What is the most interesting / fun job you have had.
The only job I have ever had has been my painting, either as a designer in the first twenty years of my career or as a painter in the latter years.
Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I always work alone, although for Big Apple my husband did all the photography for reference, he goes to New York a lot.
At age 18 who most influenced your style?
At 18 Edward Burn-Jones...........pre Raphealites were the in thing then.
How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I never bend to the market, I have been lucky that the market has liked my work. There have been a few blips and the series that hasn't quite been popular has been dropped.
Who would you say buys your work?
All sorts of people buy my work mainly those with an eye for quirky.
Where and what is your studio?
My studio is custom made and sits in the garden surrounded by orchards, sheep and horses, lucky eh!
Do you have a good work/life balance?
Lately work has dominated life and is increasingly so.
What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Existance
If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
Dont think I want to do anything else.........maybe a wildlife vet.
If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
The National Portrait Gallery, The Guggenhiem Venice, The Met New York.
Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
The Opus Gallery, Ashbourne, Pilgrims Artists Lenham.
The Royal Society of British Artists, London.
The Untitled Art Fair, Chelsea.
The Gould Gallery, Sandwich.
The Galleria San Maurizio, Venice.
Coming up..
The Blackheath Gallery, London.
Brighton Art Fair
The Affordable Art Fair 2011
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Ravilious Exhibition - Opens 3rd July 2010
"Cheese & Cheese" is open all day 10 -5 at the Emma Mason Gallery 3 Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne. BN21 4NN. The exhibition is on from 3rd - 24th July.Wednesday, 23 June 2010
MADE10 - Selection
We're pleased to announce the full selection for MADE10 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair to be held in the Brighton Corn Exchange in November. It was another very very competitive selection especially with certain disciplines at the fair - jewellery for instance is always vastly oversubscribed.
We know it's going to be a very exciting, good quality show possibly our best one yet. We'll be talking about the makers and designers on this blog in the coming months but we have them all on the website with images so please have a browse.
We're also very pleased that Coast Magazine have again agreed to support the MADE show - Coast Magazine under editor Clare Gogerty has consistently been supportive of innovative, individual makers and designers and individual, independent, quirky small shops which seem to thrive or survive especially around the coastal fringes of Britain.
We've relaunched and redesigned the MADE website too we hope it's clearer and simpler use. Let us know if you spot any glitches.
Click Here to Read More..
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
England's Glory 2010 - An Exhibition
Monday, 21 June 2010
Artist of the Week - Andre Lichtenberg
Andre Lichtenberg is a photographer based in Hove, East Sussex whose work has been used all over the world as billboards, book covers, advertising and magazine editorials. Most recently Andre was commissioned to shoot new landscapes (full moon images) in Southern Ireland and to produce and photograph an advertising campaign for Gillette in Scandinavia. He is currently back home hungry to create more personal fine art work.
Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
My initial training started with my father in Brazil who was a great artist and philosopher, he taught me to see beauty in life and how to draw. My most official training I guess has been doing a MA - Photographic Studies (University of Westminster) which taught me contemporary art theory, semiology, aesthetics, etc.. and prior to the MA I did a degree in Science - BSC in Photographic Science (University of Westminster) which taught me the scientific approach towards creating imagery. But there were so many other short courses, workshops, life experiences, challenges, travels...
When and where did you first want to do what you do?
When I first came to London in the late eighties and early nineties, I was fascinated by the amount of galleries and Museums available, a lot of them free to visit. I spent a lot of time exploring that, visiting London photographic shows and art galleries, dreaming of one day being able to show my own work and ideas in such places.
One favourite living artist? Why?
This is very tricky, as I can easily change my mind after seeing a show or someone's new body of work. Today I would say the Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, because of his beautiful simple aesthetic, his use of colors and his choice of subject matter, (which changes a lot, from architecture, seascapes, portraits, objects...) but somehow always holding some sort of style signature. I've seen his work at Serpentine Gallery several years ago and was really impressed by his large scale seascapes.
One favourite historical artist? Why?
Hmmm, another difficult question. I think today I would say Pablo Picasso but it could change next week. Why? because I love his technique, the use of layers in his work and the fascinating life he had.
Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
Travel is a big one (my sense of observation tends to magnify itself when I am somewhere new...), but to be honest it can come from anything and anywhere: from a dream, movies, magazines, an exhibition, a book, a conversation...
What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
In 1999 I was commissioned by a big European travel company to go to four Mediterranean countries to create some landscapes in a kind of painting like style for their re-branding. The art director and assistant in those jobs became mates and the whole thing felt like a big holiday. The images created were really well received and made into several new front covers and posters. The company was so happy that they become a regular client for the following 5 years.
Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
Mostly on my own. Sometimes I have an assistant with me to help out with lighting equipment or whatever help I might need. But I have no problem with collaborations and have done some small collaborations with other artists.
At age 18 who most influenced your style?
At the age of 18 I was into architecture drawing, studying engineering. I was fascinated by the mathematical artwork of Escher, with it's impossible perspective drawings.
How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I have done in the past but I think that was a mistake as I believe my most strong and successful work has come from my own vision.
Who would you say buys your work?
It works in two levels for me: In the commissioning side, my clients are art buyers and art directors. In the fine art limited editions, my clients are collectors and people who like to have art on their walls.
Where and what is your studio?
My studio is in Hove, (Studio 106). It is a large warehouse (used to be a factory) which I share with several other artists. We tend to open twice a year to the public, in May and in December.
Do you have a good work/life balance?
I'll try my best and I think I'm not doing too badly at moment. I make sure I exercise a couple of times a week, I'll try to cook and eat well, I spend time with the kids, I look after my garden, etc... It just gets out of balance when I am working on a large project or when I have to travel a lot... and consequently leave the family and kids behind for a short while.
What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Intuition
If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
Traveling somewhere fun, friendly, exciting.
If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
Hmmmmmm, hard question... so many amazing places to choose. I guess MoMA in New York.
Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
HOUSE Open exhibition - Brunswick Town House (Brighton) 2010
RED DOT Exhibition - Association Gallery (London) 2009/2010
Brighton Photo Fringe Open 2009 (Brighton) 2009
International Color Awards - (Los Angeles - CA) 2009
AOP Photographers Awards 2009 - Association Gallery (London) 2009
Andre will be exhibiting at the Brighton Art Fair in September and the Palace Art Fair in London in October.
Friday, 18 June 2010
CHARLEY HARPER!! Next exhibition at Castor & Pollux
Charley Harper has become increasingly well known in the UK, but in America, he is a national treasure.
Best know for his bird designs, Charley Harper (1922 - 2007) was an extraordinarily prolific graphic designer and artist, loved for his delightful, stylised, and often humorous illustrations of nature, animals, insects and people.
Harper captured the essence of his subject with the fewest possible elements. This can be seen in the ornithological illustrations for his most famous book, 'Birds and Words' (1974).
'When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, colour combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behaviour and endless possibilities for making pictures'
For the Castor and Pollux exhibition we have either more recent prints from 1970s- 1980s but most are from 1950s and 60s, printed by Charley himself in the basement whilst Edie mixed the ink.
If you get the chance, do come and see the beautiful colours and compositions from the pioneering graphic artist.
Charley Harper screen prints at Castor and Pollux 3 July - 3 September. All will be sold framed, and prices start at £450.
If you are interested in attending the private view, please email for full details. castorandpolluxart@mac.com
www.castorandpollux.co.uk for more information.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Ambit Magazine's 50th Birthday
Ambit Magazine celebrates its 50th birthday - and the launch of its 200th issue - this month. Ever since 1959 Ambit's been championing the best new poetry, prose and visual arts, by publishing an eclectic selection every three months or so. Over the years the magazine has brought many of the UK's most significant poets, writers and artists into view - often providing that breakthrough first publication. Ambit continues to discover exciting new talent to this day.
In the 200th issue readers can learn about Stevie Smith's approach to poetry, hear how JG Ballard was involved with Ambit, and discover the magazine's long-standing relationship with Peter Porter (Ambit 200 contains three of his final poems).
Ambit's artists are equally intriguing - in Ambit 200 you'll find talents as diverse as Posy Simmonds and Sir Peter Blake. Everyone from David Hockney to Ralph Steadman, Eduardo Paolozzi, Helen Chadwick and many more have featured, under the thoughtful aegis of art editor Mike Foreman.
Here's a little You Tube video to give you a flavour of what Ambit is about.
Ambit is available to buy via the magazine website.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Secondnature Commission
We love to hear from artists after they have exhibited with us about any commissions that have arisen from showcasing work at our fairs. Ian Turnock from Secondnature has just let us know about the commission he received from exhibiting at the Brighton Art Fair 2009.
'While exhibiting at the Brighton Art Fair, we were contacted by Tempest Radford, Art Consultants for P&O, for a commission to design a sculpture for the new Cruise Ship Azura. This involved a trip to see the sister ship and also the launch party. Artists were given an open brief and we responded by creating a wall sculpture called ‘Momentum’ inspired by the movement of the sea and stars. It is cut from satin polished stainless steel which shimmers in changing light and will reflect Azura’s sophisticated and innovative interior. The finished piece was unveiled when the ship launched in April 2010.'
Secondnature will be exhibiting at the Palace Art Fair in London in October.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Artist of the Week - Jason Keeley
Jason Keeley completed a three year graphic design degree course at Middlesex University, joined the world's leading broadcast design & branding agency, London based Lambie-Nairn becoming Head of Screen Design but left in 2004 when he decided to embark upon a freelance career.
Jason has designed and directed idents, branding sequences and titles for, amongst others, the BBC, Discovery, Disney, BT, FIFA,The History Channel, UKTV, TV2, NOS, LCI, and SF1. Some of the most notable of these being BBC One's hot air balloon, BBC Four's realtime sound reactive identity and UKTV Style Gardens' beautiful and inventive horticultural characters. Each of these have been recognised internationally with prestigious industry awards.
Jason has always enjoyed experimenting with photography and image making. His own fine art is distinctive in style and reflects his TV work but with a more personal and emotional angle. Jason has been spending more time on his personal artistic projects and has just completed his first series of works which have been three years in the making.
Jason will be exhibiting his work at the Brighton Art Fair in September and the Palace Art Fair in Fulham in October.
Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I trained at Middlesex Polytechnic in North London. I undertook a one year foundation course and a three year graphic design degree. The course gave me a broad understanding of the design process and techniques, but also allowed me to follow my own natural pathway. I wish it had taught me earlier that ideas are king and that the key to any artistic and for that matter branding issue is to stand out from the crowd. Period.
When and where did you first want to do what you do?
My mother and father worked for some time in cartoon animation, infact my mum shot the opening titles to Dad's Army! One afternoon she showed me the camera that was used for line testing. This camera was attached to a black and white, reel-to-reel video recorder and was capable of recording single frames (pretty high tech in those days). We didn't have any drawings to film so my mum and I animated a pencil rubber into shot, round the screen and out again. It took us about half an hour but I remember that the resulting animation blew me away! I was 8 years old.
Any favourite artist? Why?
Bridget Riley - simple, confident and rhythmic flowing designs - I just love her work and she has inspired me so much.
One favourite historical artist? Why?
Rembrandt - the ultimate painter. I love the deep backgrounds and the lost edges, I love the muted tones and I love the power and presence of his portraits. I have always liked the single light source or key light - it is gutsy and powerful, Rembrandt's quality of light in his pictures is always totally amazing to me.
Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
I have thought about this a lot recently and I think my inspiration comes from the things I love to do. I have always loved to dance - music also plays a huge part here. Infact, I have always been interested in visuals that move to music. This is a theme that occurs in my TV work too. I hope that my still works capture some of this dynamic.
What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
The most interesting and fun job I had was designing and directing the BBC ONE balloon idents. It was a great experience travelling to all corners of the UK with a small film crew and getting to film from helicopters. However it was also hugely stressful.
Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I generate my artworks on my own and as yet have not collaborated with anyone.
At age 18 who most influenced your style?
I loved the cubists. Braque and Picasso particularly. I also loved David Hockney's photo montages. They have also influenced me throughout my art training and design career.
How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I have only just completed my first set of artworks - which I began tentatively three years ago. During my period designing the BBC News title sequences I was also experimenting at the same with my own images. A technique that I employed during the design stages of that job lead me into a whole area where I knew I could express myself. However it took ages and ages to refine. I have always developed other artworks along the way - I have an eclectic sketch book and I take hundreds of photos.
Who would you say buys your work?
I don't know because I haven't sold many - this is really my maiden voyage.
Where and what is your studio?
My studio is at home - we extended into the loft at our house and I have a small room at the top.
Do you have a good work/life balance?
Not as good as I'd like - it's tricky because my work overlaps into my hobby and my passion - so it's not that simple. I love doing my work - it's when I kind of disappear into myself and time flies by.
If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
I would be playing music of some sort - hopefully on the piano - I never learnt music at school but I am having piano lessons now. I'm crap but it's great!
If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
It would have to be the Tate Modern - in between Matisse and Hockney and Warhol (dream on!) - I had so many trips there in my school days - Awesome times!
e: jasonkeeley@mac.com
Monday, 14 June 2010
More Quilting
A birthday surprise treat. With no idea where or what, I was taken to Just Sew in the North Laine in Brighton for a four hour Patchwork Class. I've made my children patchwork quilts by hand (true labours of love) with material from their old clothes and scraps I have lying around the house but I hadn't ever really learnt to patchwork - especially not on a machine.
Just Sew is run by the fabulous Nicole who also now runs the Brighton Sewing Centre just across the road. Classes are for groups of around six people and Nicole, plus a super helpful assistant will help with every step of the process. From choosing fabric, design, making cups of tea, cutting the fabric (so exciting using those pizza cutter type blades!), threading the brilliant sewing machines, making more cups of tea, calming our novice nerves, to providing applause and compliments on our finished products. The workshop was truly well run, great fun and informative. I'd ignorantly never known what a selvedge was!
Just Sew offers patchwork courses once a month, plus classes and sewing parties for children, teenagers and adults.
Just Sew
33 North Street
Brighton BN1 1YB
Tel: 01273 624653
justsewbrighton@yahoo.co.uk
Friday, 11 June 2010
V&A Exhibition: Quilts 1700 - 2010
Jon told us we had a meeting to go to in London. Sarah and I said we'd cadge a lift but go to the quilt exhibition at the V&A instead. Ooh what a treat! We love the V&A. Just having coffee and cake in the beautiful, grandiose cafe there constitutes a day out.
And the exhibition didn't disappoint in the slightest. This is a quilter's feast. A history of quilting dating back to the 1700s when every scrap of any textile not in use was sewed together to make extraordinary coverlets. The detail and work involved is mind blowing.
We found many favourites including the one pictured above, created in 1842 by James Williams, a master tailor from Wrexham. This coverlet contains over four and a half thousand pieces of cloth and took over 10 years to complete!
We loved the work created by soldiers from the war who were encouraged to sew whilst in hospitals recovering from injuries, made entirely from tiny circles of fabric cut from their worn, thick war coats; the amazing quilt made by inmates of Wandsworth prison commissioned by the V&A specifically for this exhibition - the inmates tell how sewing brings about feelings of calm and peace; the poignancy of the quilt made by a daughter grieving her mother's death and finally Tracy Emin's, 'To Meet My Past' bed with quilted messages that hint at the darker side of her life.
The exhibition runs until 4th July at the V&A.
We say it's well worth a visit even if you don't make it past the cafe!
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Worthing Artists confined to Chalets
Worthing isn't known as the most progressive town in the world. The council and MP's are deepest blue and the default position for anything is NO for fear of upsetting someone - anyone. But things seemed to be changing, the planning restriction banning commercial enterprises from the seafront was lifted a few years ago (shops facing the seafront had to have door on a street away from the front! - they didn't want to be vulgar/commercial like 'Brighton') and even today there are only a very few cafes actually on the front. A regeneration plan for the town recommended encouraging the arts and sport activities on the seafront and to support that end a local cafe owner applied to lease 6 beachhuts to artists and makers to create the start of an artist quarter and to add interest to a stark seafront.
The beachuts were painted up, electricity and water installed, artists found and they have proved pretty popular. This video shows the launch.
Worthing East Beach Studios from Jurgen on Vimeo.
Now the council have acted against their officers recommendations and banned the artists from showing their work outside of the huts on the wide paved area between the huts and the actual prom - because the people browsing just might perhaps obstruct the promenade. In one stroke they have rendered the initiative pointless - artists need to be able to show their work off and attract passers-by to stop and look. If confined to the small dark spaces of the huts they will have no visitors as advertising is banned too.So what if the promenade is slowed because the artists huts might be popular with visitors looking - its a promenade.
Click Here to Read More..
