Johnsons Island

Johnsons Island is one of London's hidden secrets! It opens it's doors to the public only twice a year. I visited over the summer and felt as if I'd stepped into a magical world!

Accessed by a footbridge off Catherine Bridge Rd, it is located on the Grand Union Canal in Brentford.

It is home to a small community of talented artists working in an eclectic collection of cosy....

...and creative huts!

This regal "Grey heron" wire drawing by sculptor Dianne Preston flew back home with me....and..

...if there was enough room in my lily pad, this handsome chap would have also come home with me! 

Although I loved all the huts and the different art works, I had a soft spot for Dianne Prestons birds. She actually lives on a narrow boat on the canal, where the birds inspire her work. For a list of all artists and details of future open days, please visit the website 

Endless Stair - London Design Festival 2013

This years London Design Festivals Landmark project is "Endless Stair" in front of Tate Modern. 

Translating Eschers 2D drawing into a 3D structure of 15 interlocking staircases proved challenging for the team of architects, engineers and designers headed by Alex de Rijke. For more details watch this clip

 

In order to be able to easily transport the installation and to make it weather proof, tulipwood, rather than traditional soft wood was used.



I visited on a rainy day and the effect of the sheet of raindrops gave the impression that the stairs had been highly polished which further showed off and highlighted the beautiful wood blocking and detail! 

Jason Hackenworth: "Dance of the honey bees" balloon sculpture

New York artist, Jason Hackenworth, known for his organic and biological forms made from latex balloons, unveiled his latest sculptures last week at the Manchester "Dig the city festival 2013".

Suspended over Exchange Street, near Harvey Nicholls and Selfridges, I just love the bright colours, texture and shape of these beautiful "Honey bees!"

 

 

 

 

Chris Bracey; "Neon is only happy when it's on, when it's alive!"

I just adored this exhibition by Chris Bracey, light artist extraordinaire, entitled
"I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell" at the Scream gallery, London
The lyrics on this sculpture were written by Martin Gore from Depeche Mode.

Acrylic paint on reclaimed wood and neon.
Pop culture - lyrics from a song by The Smiths

This vibrant neon installation is reminiscent of the streets of Soho



Iconic imagery from Vegas...



 

...to tattoo culture

Salvaged carnival light bulbs on reclaimed wood conjuring up images of old fairgrounds

Jesus as you've never seen him before....

More seedy....yet seductive imagery!

 

  I would love to have a big, bold, kitsch Chris Bracey neon installation in my home!

The Art of The Brick - Nathan Sawaya

The Art of The Brick is a wonderful exhibition
currently showing at the ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

The exhibtion features colourful LEGO sculptures
 created by former attorney, turned brick artist, Nathan Sawaya

The creations range from an amazing, life size T-Rex dinosaur skeleton to....

..an athletic swimmer with rippling muscles!

This was one of my favourite pieces.



 

What muscles! What sadness at losing his greatest tool, his hands..
and the despair all portrayed by LEGO!

Even though thousands of tiny oblong LEGO bricks have been used to build this couple,
 they still seems life-like and curvaceous!

Showing until April 2013 and well worth a visit....if you live locally!

 

James Doran-Webb; driftwood sculptor

A pair of boxing hares

At the Chelsea Flower Show this week, my favourite creations were not plants, but these wonderful sculptures by the very talented James Doran-Webb. I loved these animals. Not only are they stunning and feel "alive", but they have a sustainable and generous heritage.  Each piece is meticulously crafted from driftwood sourced from the shorelines and riverbeds of the archipelago of islands that make up the Philippines. Locals help to gather the driftwood and the collecting venture provides much needed cash for some of the poorer fishing villages.

Two rutting stags



Rearing stallion

A swan taking flight

The Arabian

For more information:

http://www.jamesdoranwebb.com/

"Havasu Point" by Margaret Crowther

Our family has always loved Margaret Crowthers magnificent artwork. I have recently been lucky enough to have been given my very own special weaving as a gift from my mum.

I shared with Margaret some initial ideas about textures, colours and shapes that I liked, including seaweed from Dún Laoghaire, OTs coat, Coral from Bali and litchen on a boulder in MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Singapaore. 

After months of sketching, hand dying sisal and paper and intricately weaving individual pieces, Margaret unveiled the artwork in her inspirational home. I was so happy and speechless when I saw the magnificent weaving!

The weaving had to be transported from Manchester to London. Margaret made a bespoke box and even the carrying handle was beautiful.(I've kept this!)

Our lovely family friend Shelagh delivered the weaving. Even the back was stunning!

The very special "Havasu Point" hanging on my wall. It feels as if it has always lived in my home!