This one is for lovers of the reclaimed and re-loved in interiors. Hannah Plumb and James Russell work together with the the overlooked and neglected to create atmospheric and quirky interiors and objects. You can see their work in London at Selfridges – their dog lamps are part of a window display at the moment. […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
Super Design London
This was a small show for limited edition and one-off pieces of furniture and lighting from a selection of galleries, organised by The Apartment gallery. As one visitor said, it appeals to a very particular type of person. In terms of buyers I agree but believe that many can appreciate the beauty and skill of […]
Useful new products
Whenever I see something new my first question is: will this improve our lives in some way? Well here are a couple of products that are useful and attractive. Konstantin Slawinski’s housewarming objects include Join, a cutlery set that is sculptural and requires a little application by the user to disassemble before eating. It is made […]
Design and Social Enterprise – Art House Meath
If you’re a home or gift buyer then this is definitely worth looking at. I came across Art House Meath at Top Drawer in September and was attracted by the childlike freshness and humour of the pieces on display. Once I had stopped to find out more I was impressed as this is exactly what social enterprises […]
Ai Weiwei at Tate Modern
Officially open today, this has to be one of the best installations in the Turbine Hall so far. The private view last night had the great and good tramping about, sitting and rolling in this sunflower seed beach (no, it wasn’t just me and my friend). The 100 million hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds have particularly chinese […]
John Pawson at The Design Museum
We all know that our environment affects our behaviour and even our thinking. In the past I have admired John Pawson’s work without properly engaging with it. I’m still not sure I’d be able to live in one of his buildings full-time without changing my lifestyle quite drastically but I now have a much deeper appreciation […]
Lab Craft: Digital and craft techniques
I visited this exhibition at Tent after meeting one of the makers, Ismini Samanidou, at Origin. She is a weaver and worked with wood carver Gary Allson on wooden wall panels digitally carved with an outsized twill weave pattern. Actually Gary does other stuff but the emphasis here was on wood – his bowls are fabulous to handle – Ismini was minding […]
Wycliffe Stutchbury at Origin 2010
I had already seen and been moved by Wycliffe Stutchbury’s work at Origin last year. He began as a furniture maker and became increasingly fascinated by the inherent history of wood: where it has been used and how it ages. He told me that he never buys his source material – he doesn’t need to. I know […]
OK, it isn’t “design” but it’s definitely made
I just couldn’t resist sharing this – a topiary elephant on a street in North London. I didn’t realise to begin with what it was, just that it was encroaching onto the pavement. Then I got it . Maybe not in quite the same way as Ed Miliband in his acceptance speech as new Labour […]
Designersblock – London Design Festival
It’s all in full swing so , before I dash off to another bunch of shows, here are a few snapshots of makers seen in the wonderful space of Designersblock at the Oxo Tower Wharf on the South Bank : Hendzel and Hunt design and make bespoke furniture from reclaimed wood and other waste materials […]