Lina Peterson Jewellery

Swedish born maker Lina Peterson was at Origin this year and I fell in love with her work.



She sees brooches as having a direct relationship with the body, allowing for a conversation to start between the garment and the work. Seeing her work, this claim makes sense. Lina is fascinated with the endless possibilities and configurations of materials - her work includes crocheted silver and gold, embroidered metal, dip-coated plastics, gold plated textiles, even bread buns! This love for combining unlikely materials drives the work itself, whilst also cleverly playing with people's expectations of jewellery.



As someone who loves brooches, it is hard to find big, bold, unfussy pieces that are gorgeous and wearable.
Now, to find an excuse to buy one!



http://www.linapeterson.com/

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Open House - 72 Ashford Road Brighton

It's coming up to Open House season in Brighton and Sarah's really pleased to have been invited to exhibit in one of the first to open. 72 Ashford Road in the Fiveways area. The house itself is beautiful, welcoming and 'gezellig' (cosy). Especially on these dull November days.



The house is the house of Sculptor and sculpture teacher Jo Sweeting who also has a lovely Sculpting studio in the garden. Jo's selling beautifully cut lettering on pebbles and stone, stone carvings, ceramic flowers and blind embossed collagraphs. (see above)



Joy Fox is selling her button jewellery and Betty Bib is selling her fairy brooches etc


Sarah Young is showing various prints and a couple of paintings which seem to suit the 40's feel of the house beautifully. Porcelain lamps above are by Amy Cooper. There are a number of other makers showing too. Idea for a damp sunday - really recommend it and it's the last day tommorrow!!!!!!

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MADE08 Posters and Banners

Finally after some delay due to gales last week - (unsuitable weather for climbing lamposts) the banners have been put up and so the official countdown to the MADE08 - Brighton's Design and Craft fair, begins.

We're getting excited about the show which is definitely shaping up to be the best one yet, in terms of the quality and number of makers showing and because of the interest in the show by potential visitors. Please make sure you come - the show is open to the public from Friday to Sunday and we would all value your support.

The private view on Thursday will see the presentation of a £1000 award - the "Brighton and Hove Museums' collects award" - which will be awarded to a single maker to produce work for the Craft and Design Collection at Brighton and Hove Museums which is one of the most important collections in the country.

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ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Irene Marot

My work is celebratory but only through bringing light to the dark

One favourite living artist?
Gerhard Richter - because he is fearless

One favourite historical artist?
Francis Bacon because of the rules he broke

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
At school

What place in the world has inspired you?
Nicaragua - because of the peoples zest for life and their courage


Last best read?
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace?
I try very hard not to

How do you set about starting a new project?
My attention is caught by an image or the idea of it and if if has an accompanying excited feeling of wanting to paint it - then that becomes the start of that journey.
I, recently, saw Martin Creed's installation at the Tate and something struck me about the incongruity of the athletes and their sprint through the formal space - which I am playing with, presently.


Where and what is your studio?
The 106 Studio, Hove. There are about 15 other art artists - although we never seem to be there at the same time - all working in different disciplines. I appreciate the interaction with the other artists. I prefer to work in silence.


What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Exasperation

Are their other fields that you'd like to apply some facet of your work into
Because I'm also a professional actress - I would like to understand more thoroughly the connections between my painting and acting.


If you could exhibit in any gallery which would it be?
Purdy Hicks

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MAKER OF THE WEEK - Katie Mac

Kate McCulloch - Katie Mac Ceramics

Coastal inpsired ceramics that incorporate scenes from the shore using my own blend of recycled paper and stoneware clay


Money spent on A HEAT GUN is never wasted.
I recently bought one, the best money I've spent in a long time. My studio space is getting colder and colder by the day - it helps relieve the stress of very slow drying clay

Favourite living artist?
Kurt Jackson - I love his coastal work, he's very inspirational to me. I adore how he catches the moods of the sea using mixed media, colour and texture. He seems to easily capture the different moods with plenty of movement.

Favourite historical artist
Ansel Adams - His landscape photography is stunning, he was such a pioneer in his field, developing the zoning system to capture the contrasts to give a well balanced photograph. His compositions and choice of views are wonderful. He's the reason I own camera equipment and take time to capture the beautiful things that surround us.

When/where did you first want to do what you do?
I first got my hands on some clay when I went on a field trip to a local potter's workshop (Sarah Fuller, she just happened to be my best friend's mum!) on my childhood island of Antigua in the Caribbean. I loved the feel and what she could do with it. I didn't really consider it until I went to the University of Plymouth to study 3D Design and by the end of teh 1st year I knew I wanted to join the self employed potter community.


What place in the world has inspired you?
At the moment, Northumberland. I was born in this beautiful county and always find myself heading back there. It's such a wonderful place, such a variety between the different coastal areas, all the history that surrounds it and the fact that you can walk along a large expanse of beach and not see a soul. I feel closer to my absent relatives and feel a sense of peace when I'm there. If I happen to be lacking inspiration or just need some time away I grab some clothes, camera equipment and a sketchbook, get in the car and drive for hours to a family friend's. I spend a couple of days on the coast, visit places I went when I was younger and get myself focused again - it never fails to inspire me. It's amazing the variety of magnificent places we have on our doorsteps (especially the coast) but they are rarely considered for visiting, especially anything 'up North'.

Who would you say buys your work?
I would say those who are looking for handmade work that doesn't look like it's been mass produced or 'clean cut'. Oh, and those who like the colour blue, the sea or anything coastal related.

What's on your pinboard?
To do lists, mix of maker/gallery business cards, photos of friends, postcard from Boston & one of the Angel of the North, a hockey timetable, a invigilation rota for a gallery and a famous quote my Mum gave me.



Where or what is your studio:
I'm part of a studio group called InBristol studios, based in Barton Hill, Bristol. Kerry Russell, Tracey Graham and Sharon Bishop are there too. My studio space walls are covered with photos that involve the sea so far I have shots from Antigua, Northumberland, Westonbirt Arboretum and Wales. I have one blank wall left that is looking very tempting. Sound wise it depends who is in the studio - but I have to have some sort of music on if it's through headphones or on the stereo - but I definetly can't work in silence, reminds me too much of a library

Surprising Activity/Hobby:
Not sure if it's classed as surprising but it's my most enjoyable hobby, Hockey - it's a great way to keep fit and socialise (it gets lonely being all creative) plus you have the satisfaction of hitting a ball very hard, and the risk of getting hit with one (I seem to be getting a bruise every week). A great stress buster. I had a couple of years away from it but I've recently joined a new team so it's great getting to know new faces plus, it breaks up the routine during the week.

One word for feeling of work : engrossing

Would you rather be doing something else?
No. Anything else would feel like I'm wasting the creative talent that was passed on to me. Don't get me wrong, it gets hard, stressful and I wonder why I'm doing it. Then I ask myself one question "would you rather be doing the 9 to 5?" and that get's me back in to the groove

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MAKER OF THE WEEK - Edward James Mahony

Edward James Mahony; EJM


The pieces of work I make are often made without a function in mind; they are created to portray feelings or intentions using a combination of traditional silversmithing techniques with a modern approach. Steel is used regularly as it compliments the silver with its conflicting qualities. 



What place in the world has inspired you?
Amsterdam is a beautiful place, uncluttered spacious buildings, canals and museums; the British countryside can’t be beaten though.


Do you work best on your own or in collaboration?
It is good to work with other people for the feedback and critical thinking. As other people will always see things in a different way from your self.


What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased? What one product/item do you really covet?
Kelly Davitt is a painter whose work has so much depth and character, really wish I could afford it.
I always try and exchange pieces of work with other makers at craft fairs; it makes the event more memorable and precious.

At age 15 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
I was very lucky; I went to a Rudolf Steiner school and was greatly encouraged to create. I took needlework, surface design and metal work lessons. My metal work teacher, Mr. Chalk, arranged a day session of silversmithing at, what was, Kent Institute of Art & Design. I then stayed there for the next five years studying silversmithing and design.


Last best read?
A.S.Neil, Summer Hill, a truly inspirational insight into live and that of our children.


How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace?
I don’t, I work hard to be able to make what I want. Any one can make a piece of work that looks beautiful. I teach jewellery and silversmithing to a range of people all of who can walk away, or wheel themselves away, having made an item of jewellery. Not many create a piece that comes from within or expresses a worth other than functional or material.


Who would you say buys your work?
People with money who like something a little different and appreciates craft.


How do you set about starting a new project?
I find it very hard to start new work; I spend months thinking about pieces to be made. For me the thinking behind the work is as important as the piece itself.




Where and what is your studio
I have a workshop at home in our cellar, see above, where I am able to make most of my work. For larger, louder pieces I use the workshops at work in between teaching sessions.

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Everybody has a role to play in life, some people are good at managing and statistics, others are able to build a staircases and furniture. Both are needed and are as important.


Are their other fields that you'd like to apply some facet of your work into?
One of my teaching positions, is teaching people with physical disabilities, people who has lost their sight, limbs, hearing, have me, ms etc. Helping them to create work to lift their confidence and self-belief is an amazing experience. It shows how important making and creating is to a person, as it gives back some worth that might have been lost. It would be productive to do this across the board within many different areas of society.

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Edwin La Dell - Lithographs and Etchings




An exhibition at South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre, London.
On now until 9th January 2008

For anyone interested in original prints, a special exhibition has just opened of work by the highly influential post-war British printmaker Edwin la Dell (1914-1970). The exhibition shows lithographs and etchings from his images of the Kent countryside to his New York lithographs, all made in the 1960s. Edwin La Dell was a superb teacher and printmaker. He taught printmaking at the Royal College of Art and was influential in creating the golden age of printmaking seen in Britain in the 1960s.
The exhibition is in support of the Nightingale Project which works to brighten the environment in mental health centres through visual arts and music. It is based on the belief that the physical environment in hospitals plays a vital part in the healing process, that brighter surroundings positively contribute to patients’ well-being. The Project is part of a growing ‘arts in health’ movement which I saw earlier in the year when exhibiting prints at my local hospital in Eastbourne. Hospitals all over the country are working hard to improve their environment and many artists are able to take part in projects such as this. So this Edwin La Dell exhibition is not only beautiful but also well worth supporting.

The exhibition is at the South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre next to the main Chelsea and Westminster Hospital at 1 Nightingale Place, London SW10 9NG.
It is open Monday - Friday 9am-6pm.
For further details contact Dr Nick Rhodes 020 3214 5840

For more on the Nightingale Project please visit http://www.nightingaleproject.org/

If you would like to learn more about Edwin La Dell and see his work then visit
Emma Mason British Prints who have a selection of the original prints for sale and also the book "Edwin La Dell - Lithographs and Etchings". Please see http://www.emmamason.co.uk/ T.07944 535354

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