Monday 30 June 2014

Spotlight on: Sam Martin-Harper

Here is some work from a good friend of mine who has just finished her FMP on her foundation course at UCA and will be studying for her BA Fashion Accessory Design and Prototyping at Ravensbourne from September.

Sam Martin-Harper says about her work...

" The concept is based on decaying architecture and the beauty created through the unrestrained process of decay but also, the sense of loss this process evokes. I was particularly interested in the loss of function seen in architecture once decay has taken hold as I believe this resonates with societal fear of the inevitability of having no use. Alongside this, I also explored the idea of clothing as protection which is the fundamental function of architecture. To realise this concept, I investigated cracked/ peeling paint and rust, both of which are outcomes of decay, and used scrunched paper to represent an artificial form of decay."

Here is the image Sam used as the repeat print on her garment, which is a study of rust. The unconventional plaid pattern is then repeated many times and hand stitched together resembling traditional fine tailoring. An interesting contrast to the eroded surface texture.

I love the use of complementary colours in her design and the meticulous edging detail which made me think of traditional Inuit skin clothing. The silhouette reminds me of both samurai dress and elegant Victorian costume.

You can follow Sam Martin-Harper via her Twitter feed,

Congratulations Sam! So looking forward to seeing your degree show in three years time!

Tuesday 24 June 2014

Spotlight on: Paula Lindblom

From the Coolest Corner: Nordic Jewellery, has been travelling around a number of countries since 2013. Oslo,Copenhagen,Helsinki,Tallinn and now it has reached Gothenburg where it will run from the 3rd June to the 21st September...before it finishes in Munich for March 2015.

My friend Paula Lindblom is one of the artists featured in the exhibition. There are 61 artists in total in the show, from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Estonia.

Here are some of my favourite pieces she has made in recent years.The white hourse and polar bear are my favourites!

Read more about Paula's work via her Klimt02 page

Follow the exhibition "From the Coolest Corner" on Facebook

Monday 23 June 2014

Thank you Paula!

These gifts arrived in the post at the weekend from my dear friend Paula Lindblom, a fellow jeweller from Gothenburg, Sweden. A beautiful painting and note, some cheery little Dala horses to decorate the home and a Moomin's note book, which I shall put away for my summer trip. Thank you paula!

Midsummer

As lovely as it was to travel to Lincolnshire at the weekend, my usual Midsummer weekend normally involves spending a bit of time in my garden, enjoying the extra light and welcoming in the summer. So on Sunday, it was great to get back to Kent, see my chooks and spend time with my beau who had been driving me about all weekend. I took some photos of the beautiful flowers (generally avoided doing any housework)and cooked up a speedy Italian feast, spinach tagliatelle and bruschetta, yum!