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 […]
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.
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 […]
Maison & Objet – Caroline Swift
At every show there are discoveries to be made. One of mine this time at M & O was Caroline Swift. She’s hardly new to the fashion and design scene but I hadn’t come across her quietly beautiful ceramics before. Bone china is deceptively delicate but still requires care. I wasn’t the only one handling […]
Spotted for London Design Festival
The London Design Festival has now started and odd pieces pop up on our streets. This one is a beatifully decorated container in Gillett Square in Dalston. There wasn’t any information attached that I could see to it but the location is tailormade. I hope it stays around for a while.
Paris: Maison & Objet – Hall 8 Indoor/Outdoor
September has begun and with it the interiors and design shows in Paris and London. First off was Maison and Objet, the premier interior design and furnishing show in Europe. A new hall was opened this time bringing the total to 8 halls. That is almost as much walking as Frankfurt. I did once wear a pedometer to […]
Accessories by Samson Soboye at Soboye Soong
Fashion stylist and accessories designer Samson runs Soboye Soong, a small shop in Shoreditch which is always worth a visit. His beaded, embroidered and applique cushions and scarves are a glamorous addition to any home and wardrobe, male or female. One of the things I like about his work is the fact that it isn’t overtly gender-designed, unlike […]
Jewellery by Alice Cicolini
Some of the most interesting precious jewellery I’ve seen for a long time will be available from Liberty from next month (that’s next week). Alice Cicolini is a graduate of Central St Martin’s MA Jewellery Design and has already exhibited in both the UK and India. Her Silk Route collection for Annoushka is developed from her existing pieces, some […]
Ernesto Neto – The Edges of the World
One of the exhibitions of the summer, Ernesto Neto’s environment encompasses the outdoor terraces as well as the entire upper floor of the Hayward Gallery. The installations encourage interaction from the audience, going as far as swimming in the circular outdoor pool (numbers strictly limited – it isn’t very big). The terraces are aspects of a park […]