Christmas Gift List For Your Favourite Person

Christmas Gift List For Your Favourite Person

Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur

Exotic and beautiful and that is just to look at. It is an all natural liqueur without preservatives.

Domaine de Canton is the world’s first ultra premium ginger liqueur and is handmade in small batches in Jarnac in the heart of Cognac, France. Perfect as an aperitif over ice, after dinner or as a cocktail. £33.00 available at thedrinkshop.com, Harvey Nichols stores, Selfridges.com and Booths.

 

Heidi Klein Beach Candle £36

Gorgeous, stylish and it smells divine. Perfect for any women in your life.

 

Doro – PhoneEasy 632

This would be the perfect gift for grandma. It will also be a gift that lasts as you can call her all of the time. Available here.

 

AromaWorks – Yang Candle

Beautiful and it smells amazing. Is 100% organic and is a relaxing blend of seven different aromatherapy oils including Ho Leaf and Nutmeg. Available here.

 

Spineless Classics – Cinderella print

Spineless Classics – Cinderella print

Spineless Classics are both beautiful and unique. They have the entire works of your chosen novel and a piece of art all on one print. A great gift. From iwantoneofthose.com and houseoffraser.co.uk

 

 

This Is Bacon & This Is Gauguin Art Book Review

Art lovers rejoice: Laurence King Publishing has launched a major series on great artists. We were lucky enough to be sent two of their books to review. This Is…Bacon and This Is…Gauguin. They present art history in a visual and accessible manner. The life and work of each artist is told by leading art historians and accompanied by specially commissioned illustrations, alongside representations of their most famous works. Design of the series has been overseen by Pentagram; with each title featuring vivid fluorescent spines and cut-flush binding, making each book the perfect gift for any art lover. Perfect for Christmas and beyond.

The books have it all: a great biography of the artist and wonderful art work. An art lovers dream. Well written and beautiful.

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This is Gauguin

George Roddam
Illustrated by Slawa Harasymowicz

This is Gauguin by George Roddam is a new instalment in a major new art series that rethinks art history and presents it in a highly visual, vivid and engaging way. In this book the story of Paul Gauguin’s life and work is brought to life through Slawa Harasymowicz’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Paul Gauguin created some of the most advanced art in a brilliant generation of artists – all of whom struggled against the stifling conformity of the late 19th century’s artistic mainstream.

He created paintings whose radically simplified lines and colours echoed the unschooled art of the rustic and native cultures he loved. After his famously disastrous stay with Vincent van Gogh in southern France, Gauguin escaped European civilization for the Polynesian islands. Immersing himself in the culture, he produced a series of radiant canvases and powerful sculptures – his last great works.

From his childhood in Peru to his experiences in Tahiti, the story of Gauguin’s life is recounted in authoritative text by an expert on the Post-Impressionists and compelling imagery by an award-winning illustrator.

As well as Slawa Harasymowicz’s unique illustrations, Gauguin’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Sleeping Child (1884), Van Gogh Painting Sunflowers (1888), Christ in the Garden of Olives (1889), Manao tupapau (The Spirit of the Dead Watching) (1892) and Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897-98).

George Roddam has taught art history at universities in the UK and US. His research focuses primarily on European modernisms. He lives in southeast England with his wife and two sons.

Slawa Harasymowicz is a Polish artist based in London. Following the release of the graphic novel The Wolf Man, she had a solo
exhibition at The Freud Museum, London. She was a member of the V&A Award’s jury in 2010.

 

This is Gauguin is available here and from from thebookpeople.co.uk

 

This is Bacon

Kitty Hauser
Illustrated by Christina Christoforou

This is Bacon by Kitty Hauser. In this book the story of Francis Bacon’s life and work is brought to life through Christina Christoforou’s specially commissioned illustrations.

Francis Bacon was one of the giants dominating the artistic landscape of the mid-twentieth century, and served as the inspiration and launching point for much of the figural and abstract art that came after him.

This highly illustrated book features 19 of the artist’s major works. In stunning original colour illustrations it portrays the events of his life and the circle of friends and associates with whom he formed a louche, brazen gang that cut open the belly of the old propriety. The major periods of Bacon’s life on the edge, such as his time spent in Berlin, Paris and the seedy milieu of post-war London, are portrayed, along with the influential figures, such as Peter Lacey and George Dyer, who shaped both his personal life and his art.

As well as Christina Christoforou’s unique illustrations, Bacon’s art is shown throughout the book. Works featured include: Three Studies for a Crucifixion (1962), Portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne (1966), Lying Figure (1969), Triptych, May-June (1973) and Sand Dune (1983).

Kitty Hauser is the author of Stanley Spencer, Shadow Sites: Photography, Archaeology and The British Landscape 1927–1955 and Bloody Old Britain. She lives in Sydney where she writes a regular column for The Australian.

Christina Christoforou is a London-based illustrator and artist. She started her career as an art director in Greece before gaining an MA at Camberwell College of Arts in London.

 

This is Bacon is available here and from thebookpeople.co.uk

 

 

Shaped in Mexico

Shaped In Mexico was a Pop Up Art Show that ran for 5 days over last weekend in London and we are hoping they are going to be bringing it back on a regular basis as it was one of the best events we have attended. The talented and Award winning artists, designers and musicians that are either from Mexico or have been inspired by the country all created a plethora of tantalising, exquisite and delightful art. With the origins of Mexican life intertwined within every artistic piece. Fashion is deep rooted in my background being a Fashion design student and personal stylist its easy to see the influences that had filtered through.

Shaped in Mexico-2

Maria Vogel an amazing designer on Mexico’s fashion scene. Her work and amazing attention to detail has won her huge acclaim. Not only are her designs truly incredible but they are also exceptionally well cut. The choice of fabrics really depict the Mexican heritage and style women desire.

She has featured in ELLE MEXICO, VOGUE, GLAMOUR, HARPER’S BAZAAR, and NYLON, among others. She has also been part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Mexico many times.

Shaped in Mexico Shaped in Mexico-23

 

The artists themselves where all either from the stunning country or where inspired by its beauty.

Shaped in Mexico

Shaped in Mexico-22

 The Pop Up display combined visual arts, music, design, stunning fashion and delicious liquor. Its aim was to bring to like the real Mexico! We think it was a tremendous hit all round.

Shaped in Mexico-21 Shaped in Mexico-20

Then it was time to eat, drink and sample the Mexican night life! A truly amazing evening and we really hope this becomes a regular thing. Even if its just a few times a year we will be putting this in the diary and attending each and every one of them as it was spectacular.

Shaped in Mexico-19 Shaped in Mexico-18 Shaped in Mexico-17

 Nip over to the Shaped in Mexico website to see more and read all about the concept and the artists.

Follow them on Twitter @shapedinmexico

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red by Margaret Graham

Yesterday, on a brilliant clear October morning two of the granny administrators of Words for the Wounded, Jan Speedie and Margaret Graham, arrived at the Tower of London to view the art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.

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The art installation commemorates Britain’s involvement in the First World War, a war to which so many marched in the early days, certain that it would ‘be over by Christmas’.  It was not to be, of course. The war ended four years later at 11.00 am on the 11 day of the 11 month of 1918.

thisrepresentsonlysomeofourfallen

One of those who went early to war, was a Derbyshire man who died in Flanders. He wrote in his will, knowing that everyone was dead and he was surrounded by blood, The Blood Swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread. It is these words that inspired ceramic artist Paul Cummins’s design.

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In those trenches, classes mixed for the first time, barriers were broken, lives were destroyed. ((888,246 British and Colonial dead) many many others were injured, mentally and physically . It was a defining moment in our history, if you could call such relentless effort and sacrifice a moment.

cascadeoverlookingriver

The setting was designed by stage designer Tom Piper. In total, 888,246 ceramic poppies will progressively fill the iconic Tower’s moat over the summer. One for every single man who was lost. Volunteers fix the stems and plant out the poppies, for sale for £25. In due course, the poppies will be packaged and posted to the purchasers, again by the volunteers.  Bravo the volunteers.

volunteersfixingstemsandplanting

By yesterday the tide of poppies had extended in some areas to the edge of the moat, and in others, were lapping towards the walls,  but there is room and time for more, just as there was, sadly, time for more in that First World War.

It is a heart stopping vision, one that promotes a moment of deep reflection, of commemoration, and for the grannies a determination to continue with our voluntary work – raising funds for the recovery of injured troops, so on with the mail shots for our fundraising writing competitions opening on 11th November.

I believe the last poppy will be planted on the cusp of 11 November.

thestartofanewwave

The Tower of London website says ‘We are hoping to sell all of the poppies that make up the installation and, in doing so, raise millions of pounds which will be shared equally amongst six service charities.’

I would love to know exactly how much is distributed as our servicemen, and ex-servicemen are still sorely in need.

Pictures courtesy of Susan Atkins and Margaret Graham

www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk 

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Westfield’s Launch ‘We Are LDN Summer’ Campaign

To celebrate the launch of Westfield’s ‘We Are LDN Summer’ campaign, running 16 July – 31 August, visitors to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City will be treated to six weeks of London’s best in class of dance, music, art, food, children and fashion themed activity. WESTFIELD LAUNCHES WE ARE LDN SUMMER CAMPAIGN Each themed week will showcase the capital’s finest free dance workshops, musical performances, art exhibitions, culinary demonstrations, children’s activities and style sessions along with competitions and offers from Westfield’s dining, entertainment and leisure retailers.   Whether you’re out for a spot of shopping, enjoying a delicious meal or soaking up the sun, Westfield has all your summer bases covered.  

MUSIC WEEK (21 – 27 JULY)

 

West & East London Talent, Various Stages, Daily

The very best of London musicians, choirs, writers and performers will be showcasing their talents across a variety of stages at Westfield London and Stratford City. The Mayor of London’s annual busking competition will also be taking place during this week so get front row to see the capital’s next big star!

 

DANCE WEEK (28 JULY – 3 AUGUST)

 

English National Ballet, 30 July at Westfield London, 31 July Westfield Stratford City 11-4pm

Children can experience the love of dance firsthand with this exciting workshop hosted led by the English National Ballet, featuring the enchanting tales of Coppélia, Swan Lake and Nutcracker.

 

Big Dance, Westfield London, Mon 28 July, Fri 1 Aug, Sun 3 Aug, 11-5pm

High energy performances and have-a-go workshops from Big Dance at Westfield including street, Brazilian, Jazz and swing.

 

IMD Legion, Westfield Stratford City, 3 August, 12pm

Check out East London dance crew, IMD Legion as they show off the talent that made them famous on Got To Dance, Nickelodeon, Ashley Banjo’s Street Crew and CBBC Fridays.

 

ART WEEK (4 – 10 AUGUST)

East vs. West Art, Westfield London, Daily

Curated in associating with Jack Jones of The London Collection, the exhibition brings together a selection of established and emerging artists to promote the cultural richness and diversity that West London has to offer. This exciting collection will feature a mix of contemporary painting, photography and sculpture.

 

Kids Arts, 6 August Westfield London, 7 August Westfield Stratford City, 11-4pm

Wednesday 6 August is a dedicated kid’s art’s day. Kids are invited to come down grab a painting easel, a beret and a paint brush and hone their skills.

 

Live Graffiti, Westfield Stratford City, Throughout the day

Check out the week long interactive live graffiti artwork supplied by Graffiti Life. Become part of the daily mural or get your own graffiti name tag giveaway!

 

FOOD WEEK (11 – 17 AUGUST)

 

Cooking Demos, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, Daily, See website for details

Enjoy free, daily masterclasses with L’atelier des Chef, the leaders in fun, energetic culinary classes.

 

Kids Cooking Day, Westfield London 13 August, Westfield Stratford City, 14 August, 11-4pm

Kids are invited to try and be the next Jamie Oliver at Kids Cooking Day. Kids can try their hand at making finger sandwiches and pies.

 

Foodie Festival, Westfield London, 16 – 17 August

Top off a week of gastronomy at Westfield London with a weekend foodie festival. Located in the al-fresco surroundings of The Southern Terrace, retailers and guest vendors will be sharing their tasty treats to shoppers.

KIDS WEEK (18 – 24 AUGUST)

 

Dinosaur Train,     Westfield London: 19 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm,

Westfield Stratford City 20 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm

 

Beloved Nick Jnr programme, Dinosaur Train, is coming exclusively to Westfield! A UK first, Buddy the tyrannosaurus rex and his adopted pteranodon family will be entertaining their fans. Free wristbands collected from 9am.

 

My London Girl Lessons, Westfield London, Daily, 12 – 5pm

During kids week, retailer My London Girl will be holding free in-store arts and crafts such as dolly hair braiding, friendship bracelet making and decorating trinket boxes.

 

Kids Arts & Crafts, Westfield Stratford City, Chestnut Plaza, Daily, 11-5pm

East London themed kids workshops and activities organised by Iced Gems Events, including games, making and decorating bags, jewellery, ceramic plates, clothes, giveaways, competitions, and face paint. Fun for all ages every day!

 

The Kick Off, Westfield Stratford City, Outside Café Football, 21 August

Think you could do better than US goalie, Tim Howard and the 16 goals he saved? Try your penalty shootout skills with Café Football.

 

FASHION WEEK (25-31AUGUST)

 

Style Sessions, Daily, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City (see website for schedule)

For the forward-thinking fashionista or those after some styling advice, Westfield London will be hosting open style sessions from Westfield’s retailers and team of personal stylists.

PLUS, SAVE THE DATE FOR…

 

ABBEY CLANCY AT SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 July, 11am

As the official ‘feet’ of Scholl, Abbey Clancy will make her exclusive, star appearance to open the glorious indoor beach on the morning of Friday 18 July

 

SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 – 19 July, 10am – 7pm; 20 July 12pm – 6pm

The Scholl Express Pedi Beach is set to be the perfect pit-stop for your pre-holiday speedy summer pedicure. Let the Scholl pedicure team tend to your tired soles with a free express pedicure using the Scholl Velvet Smooth range to give you soft, beautiful feet in an instant.

 

ALEXA CHUNG BOOK SIGNING 

Westfield London, The Atrium, 12 August, 12.30pm. Signing for 1.5hours

Fashion’s It girl, Alexa Chung, will be make an appearance to sign her aptly entitled book, It. A collect of writing, doodles and photographs, It has been a huge success with Alexa’s army of fashion and style followers.

 

BIG HOUSE

Big House, Westfield Stratford City Daily, 11-6pm, Sunday 12-6pm

Daredevil visitors to the Big House can hang from the window ledges by their fingertips with not a care in the world. Well, it will look like you can! The Big House is nothing but an optical illusion. Give it a go and share on social media to trick you friends!

 

Don’t forget to have your picture taken with the great big WEST and EAST letters to pledge your allegiance to #WestLDN or #EastLDN on social media.

 

Marcus Tomlinson | Multiverse | Jun – Sep Art

MARCUS TOMLINSON | MULTIVERSE

June – September 2014

 

PAYNES & BORTHWICK GALLERY, the world’s first ever commercial real-time virtual gallery at www.paynesandborthwickgallery.com

 

Curated by Futurecity

A still taken from Multiverse by Marcus Tomlinson, 2014

Paynes & Borthwick Gallery – a real-time virtual replica of an actual gallery space, launches its second exhibition Multiverse by acclaimed fine artist, fashion photographer and filmmaker Marcus Tomlinson.

 

The gallery, which launched in October 2013, provides a unique, first-of-its-kind opportunity for artists and designers to create experiences for an online real-time medium.

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Tomlinson, who first rose to prominence as a fashion photographer, began experimenting with film and digital media in the 1990s. Collaborations with elite fashion houses including Issey Miyake and Hussein Chalayan, led his oeuvre to expand to include early experimental computer animation works as well as installation. His widely influential style captured the sensibility of digital technology when only analogue film was available.  Continuing this evolution throughout his career, the artist has won acclaim for his constant development of new disciplines within his practice.

 

Multiverse uses the latest in 3D visual and sound technology to explore the past and present phases of Tomlinson’s work. Visitors to the immersive online space will see references to projects with fashion designers Issey Miyake and Gareth Pugh, photographs of garden landscapes, and recent sculptural works.

 

Tomlinson comments, Multiverse is a kind of tray of jewels that really is for the imagination. This medium is a new branch to the ever expanding world of how new art forms undoubtedly develop. Working within it gives the audiences new journeys to play on our senses. As with all my art pieces, film and photography play a central role. Part of my journey as an artist is to document myself, and the work, as a separate art form that belongs within my artist’s portfolio

 

Hole & Corner Magazine said of Tomlinson earlier this year: Magnificent art is rarely about playing by the rules as British artist Marcus Tomlinson knows only too well. The self-dubbed outsider is far more than a man with a taste for building commercial expectations – he’s actually the consummate creative chameleon: a visual artist, maker and now craftsman whose wealth of cultural obsessions and an extreme professional restlessness have already transported him from high fashion photography to filmmaking and, most recently, into sculpture.

 

The exhibition will be available to view online for 3 months with 24 hour access, and as with exhibitions in physical spaces, there will be no opportunity to view it after the final day.

 

The artwork is also available for purchase.

 

 

Moda 360: International Designers Gather In New York To Show Collections

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Designers from around the world are joining international artists to show their work at Moda360 at The Carriage House, 149 E. 38th Street in New York, June 30 -July 1.

Capsule runway presentations will take place in the art gallery setting, with exhibits of apparel and accessories set off by the resident artists of the Carriage House and a New York furniture designer and a UK textile artist. Hollywood celebrity stylist Melissa Laskin will combine pieces from all the collections to create a special collective runway with the theme “Well-behaved women rarely make history” (Leslie Ulrich Thatcher). International videographers will show their creativity in a continuouloop of videos played at the event. Moda 360 is a unique, and growing, platform combining art, fashion and video to show the art in fashion, and the lifestyle in art.

Tickets for Moda 360 are available, and a special ticket is available for both Moda 360 and the Friends of the Congo fundraiser reception on June 30.

Participating artists and designers include:

Tee Njoroge – NCIIRA
Tee Njoroge, is a 22 year old London based graduate who is currently working on building her fashion brand called NCIIRA. Her work is highly inspired by architecture, shapes and structure. The brand’s aim is to empower and represent the inner strength and confidence of an individual through their way o f dressing. The designs are a mixture of elegant edgy, feminine, bold and daring.

Sara Hegazy
Sara Hegazy is Dubai fashion designer and a student at London College of Fashion Student. In her short career, she has been nominated MENA’s Next Top Designer, and was appointed first fashion designer and consultant at Asfour Crysta International & Egyptian Fashion Entrepreneur. She launched her international brand SARA HEGAZY and was the first Egyptian couture brand on the London Fashion Week catwalk in 2013. Currently, she is launching her fourth collection, “Cleopatra” which enjoyed a successful pre-launch at Asia Fashion Jewelry International Fair in Hong Kong.

Eva Cammarata
Eva Cammarata is a London womenswear designer. Born in Sicily, Eva graduated in Italy but earned a Master Degree in Womenswear Design at the “Istituto Marangoni London Campus” and a MA in Digital Fashion at the prestigious London College of Fashion. Eva began her career working at Giles Deacon and Erdem, and in 2010, launched her eponymous brand, showcasing in Paris, London and New York. Eva Cammarata is an ethical luxury label, using organic and biotech fibres tha moisturise the skin of the wearer. Eva’s collections adhere to impeccable quality and sustainability through the entire manufacturing process, producing in UK and Italy, and reflecting her commitment to the environment and fair trade.

Melissa Laskin – Elvislaskin, abstract artist
Melissa Laskin has enjoyed success in a multi-hyphenate career: stylist-designer-artist. She achieved tremendous success as a Hollywood stylist, working with A -list celebrities and media outlets, as well as creating looks for well-known advertising campaigns. While recovering from a serious car accident, Melissa began painting, creating bold abstract art. She quickly translated her artwork into a successful line of t-shirts, tunics and dresses, in contemporary silhouettes she was unable to find elsewhere for styling. Her eye for color and composition continues to bring her success with her artwork featured in art galleries around the country, and her elvislaskin collection sold in prestigious boutiques.

Designer, Juan Pablo Martinez
Juan Pablo Martínez studied Fashion Design in Bogotá in the early nineties and then moved to Milan to study pattern making and sewing. After completing his studies, he moved to Paris to practice design at the Atelier Chardon Savard, and worked wit Christian Lacroix at his Prêt-à-Porter studio. In 1999, Juan Pablo returned to Bogotá and opened his own atelier, designing and creating men’s suits. After 12 successful years in tailoring, Juan Pablo felt the need to pursue fashion differently, with  focus on sustainable fabrics and fair labor. His collections combine the exquisite tailoring found in the finest menswear with sustainable fabrics sourced in Colombia, recycled cotton PET from recycled plastic bottles, and baby alpaca hand woven by local artisans. The inspiration for his collection marries his passions: hard rock music and draping over the body; the Trucker Jacket meets Madame Vionnet.

Natacha Arranz Atelier
Natacha Arranz was born in Valladolid, Spain, and studied Fashion Design at Saint Martin School of Art , in London, with post graduate study in fabric techniques at the University of Barcelona, and in cinematography and aesthetics at the University of Valladolid. Natacha designs prêt-à-porter, haute couture and millinery in her atelier and teaches fashion design in “La Escuela de Diseño.” She is an award winning designer, winning first place in Castilla y León. Valladolid (Spain), the Youn Designer’s award in Zaragoza (Spain), and the Creativity Award from the El Corte Inglés. Valladolid (Spain), as well as winning t he “Prêt-à-porter Award” at Miami Fashion Week.

SoniaM
Sonia grew up in Italy, where beauty and style is part of the culture, surrounded by creative people, and both of these have instilled in her a sense of aesthetic sensitivity and judgment through an understanding of visual and structural values. In 2003 she graduated from Central Saint Martin’s as a textile designer specialising in knit. During her final year she experimented with unusual yarns such as wire, copper, Lurex, paper and plastic and is still using these materials to design accessory pieces for Fashion and Interiors. Since graduating SoniaM has accumulated a vast spectrum of experience working for LFW – London Fashion Week – from 2005 to 2010 with various fashion designers styling their catw alk shows and for UFFR – United

Fashion Forum Russia – styling catwalk shows at the Victorian & Albert Museum and for LFW off schedule show. From 20010 till 2013 SoniaM was the Head Stylist for FF – Fashions Finest and AFWL – Africa Fashion Week London – creatin individual and unique looks on the catwalks.

Josephine Adebolu – JoDeLyn London
JoDeLyn London is a contemporary jewelry collection designed and handmade by Josephine Adebolu. She produces a catwalk and diffusion range of exquisite contemporary jewelry pieces and uses them as a means to communicate and express her passion for identity and individuality. Josephine is a graduate with honors in Silversmithing & Jewelry. Her main inspiration comes from the contrasts that exist in textures, colors and materials in nature, cultures and everyday life. She combines different contrasting qualities; rough with smooth, light with dark, hard with soft, resulting in unpredictable and beautiful possibilities. She creates bold, stunning statement jewelry that ind ividualizes and distinguishes the wearer from
others.

Laura Buffa – Alter Equo
Laura Buffa launched Alter Equo in response to the emergency of the waste collection system in Rome. Rome is scattered with discarded plastic bottles that become first hand ma terial for the Alter Equo sustainable fashion project. The bottles are cut into shapes that are revealed in the plastic or cut out according to the designs previously imagined and sketched. The shapes are then worked with heating tools, allowing the plastic to react to heat according to its chemical weight. Finishing touches are semi precious stones (quartz, amethyst, carnelian, pearls) or rhinestones. “We are artisan women combining business and sustainability. We know our action is just a drop in the ocean yet we care for the environment and try to preserve it. We get inspired by the shapes and colors of the bottles to create PET plastic jewels, eco designs and home complements. We manage to find the “soul” even in a disposed plastic bottle, the symbol of massive consumerism.” Laura Buffa

Foldi Kinga – Baharat
Baharat is an haute couture and luxury prêt à porter brand. Designer Foldi Kinga is an award winning designer and costumer who handcrafts collections with an to detail, using traditional as well as unique techniques and often build upon a particular traditional decorative technique such as origami, pleating or lace-making. The designer pursues ethical principles, creating her designs in collaboration with local artisans and using left over sartorial material in the Baharat jewelry collection. The silk jewelry is crafted from two layer laminated silk, with each component part cut and ironed by hand, and strung together to create a shimmering rainbow of color.

Bethany Walker – Mixed Media Textiles
Bethany Walker is an exciting emerging Mixed Media Artist best known for her ‘signature’ combination of materials – cement and textiles. Bethany has developed her individual hand techniques, each piece is individual and creates intrigue with its integral shape, colour and relief. Bethany’s work explores connections and contrasts in the urban environment – things we all observe daily but often overlook. The dynamics of the graphic and organic; the old and the new are an endless source of inspiration for the ar tist. Endeavouring to break new ground, Bethany is pushing the boundaries of contemporary textiles – blurring design disciplines, breaking preconceptions and traditionalist viewpoints to create pleasantly stunning pieces.

Manny Flaherty – Furniture Artist
Founded in 2010 by Manuel Flaherty, Mi Mesita is a small furniture company dedicated to producing high quality, hand-made furniture that is accessible and affordable. Using traditional building techniques and domestic woods, Mi Mesita creates furniture t hat will withstand the test of time, both structurally and aesthetically. As a New Yorker, all designs take into consideration the limited space available in many NYC homes. Even in a little apartment, one
should be able to decorate with unique, beautiful, functional, and quality long lasting furniture. Each piece is hand built, and all designs are customizable to meet your needs.

Teo González – Artist, abstract art
Teo González was born in Quinto de Ebro, Zaragoza (Spain), in 1964. He studied under Jordi Teixidor before moving to Southern California in 1991. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Art from California State University, Bakersfield. He has lived and worked in Brooklyn since 1999. His work has been included in museum shows worldwide at institutions such as the Kemper Art Museum in Saint Louis, Missouri; the Borusan Contemporary in Istanbul, Turkey; the Katonah Museum of Art I Katonah, NY; the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente in Segovia, Spain; and has been included in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, NY; the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles,

CA; the National Gallery and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC; the Museo Pablo
Serrano in Zaragoza, Spain; the San Diego Museum of Art in San Diego, CA; The Achenbach Foundation in San Francisco, CA; or the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe, NM, among others.

Cristóbal Gabarrón – Artist, abstract art
Cristóbal Gabarrón was born in 1945 in Mula (Murcia), Spain, receive d his first training in Valladolid before pursuing his early artistic career in France and Italy. His current works are carried out primarily in Spain and the United States. Far from the aesthetic conventionalisms, of isthmuses or vanguards, Gabarrón’s work only understands life. His vision of art is clearly anthropocentric. The individual human life, and the coexistence and the development of human values, are the pillars on which his art and his personal convictions rest. The Olympic Mural for the Barcelona Olympic Games and the Encounter Mural for the Universal Exhibition of Seville (1992), the great sculptural project “Atlanta Start” (1996), the materialization of the wor “Hope for Peace” (1986) and the Official Poster for the Millennium Summit and the Millennium Chapel (2000-2001) are important milestones in his career, while beginning a fruitful creative period, which still remains today, marked by his collaboration with international organizations, such as the IOC or United Nations.

Tickets can be purchased via the links below….

Moda 360 tickets

Friends of the Congo fundraising evening tickets
press/buyers/magazines registration

General information: moda360intl@gmail.com

Sarah Ball: Damaged Humans By Margaret Graham

Sarah Ball, Welsh Artist of the Year in 2013, and an encouraged artist at the Royal Academy’s Summer Show, has her first solo show in London at the Coningsby Gallery, which is just round the corner from Goodge Street tube station. And what an exhibition!

 

Small is definitely beautiful. Sarah’s portraits measure no more that 18 x 24cm, the tone of each is muted, the pose motionless and the eyes so compelling that each portrait seems to speak of their past, to our present.

 
I remember talking to Paul Vates, the actor, who was explaining the difference between stage and television. Television is all in the face and eyes. So too are Sarah’s portraits, painted with a flawless technique, and the universal blank stare of those locked in a place of suspended life and time.

 
We look at them and remember when, perhaps to a different degree, we were lost. I founded and run Words for the Wounded and have seen this look in the eyes of the wounded many many times.

 
Sarah uses mainly oil on board for her signature portraiture. She moves from prostitutes to soldiers with an artist’s objective eye, but with intimacy and empathy, revealing her emotional depth, a depth that connects with us.

 
The artist sourced these disadvantaged characters from photographs, many held in the Stanley Burns archive in the US, Denmark’s state archives, and from civil war photographs from the Library of Congress in DC, their personal histories unknown.
Her work provokes questions. What crimes, what woes, what damage was wrought on each individual? She acknowledges that all humankind experiences damage of some kind and it is for this reason that there is an implicit understanding between the subject and the observer. We say, ‘Ah yes, I remember…’
This is a glimpse into the subjects’ reality and at last they receive a sense of compassion, from Sarah and from us.

 

It will be interesting to see where Sarah Ball, represented by www.bo-lee.co.uk (bo.lee Gallery),  goes from here. Don’t miss this exhibition which closes on 7th June. It’s at Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham St. London W1T 4RJ