One of the things I’ve noticed about Mathias Kiss is the playful way he has with surfaces: look at his Golden Snake Project #5 below. His work involves experimentation within a space using traditional craft skills, gained from his “compagnon” apprenticeship, to produce a certain atmosphere. Visit Attilalou to see some of his intriguing interiors. This […]
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.
More surfaces from Giles Miller Studio and Heliot & Co
I’d been impressed by Giles Miller Studio‘s big entrance to the Farmiloe Building at the Clerkenwell Design Festival last year (see my blog from then). This year’s Surface Design was the first time I’d seen a fuller range of their work and it’s good to note how the product is developing into ceramic tiles, further exploring […]
World Eco-Fibre and Textile Art
This fascinating exhibition was hidden away at SOAS (School of Oriental & African Studies) at the University of London.Organised by Society Atelier who are based in Malaysia, the show was understandably heavily biased towards ikat and batik with a range of embroidery techniques. Just look at some of these pieces bearing in mind that everything here has been […]
The new Travelodge room
Imagine my surprise when I received an invitation to try out the new Travelodge bedroom, being installed nation-wide.The offer of a night testing the king-sized bed by Sleepeeze Ltd. more often found in luxury hotels was too good to miss so off I went to the Covent Garden branch with my toothbrush and booking reference. […]
More from Surface Design: Architextiles by Casalis & Saligo Design
Other companies seen at Surface Design included Belgian carpet company Casalis who showed tactile textile surfaces with the added quality of acoustic softening for wall coverings as well as accessories. Saligo Design also caught my eye with their mirror surfaces. I know a couple of other companies doing this but these colours were new to me – the […]
Francesca’s Paints
Francesca Wezel began producing lime wash paint back in 1996 and has since expanded to other ecologically friendly paint types. I caught up with her at Surface Design and took a few photos of the stand. The paints chalkiness gives it an appealing softness which I find soothing. I feel the warmth of much-needed sunlight just looking […]
Also Home at Home
The home ware market in the UK is mature and competitive so I was interested to see a new brand, Also Home launch their first retail collection earlier this year at Home. The quality of mark-making was what caught my eye with the ceramics (see below) getting me onto the stand. Anna Smith, the designer, has experience working for named brands and this […]
Lure by Kate MccGwire – recent work
I was lucky to catch Kate MccGuire‘s latest show, Lure, at All Visual Arts Gallery as I’d only ever seen photos of her work before. Her medium of expression is mainly feathers from pigeons, ravens, crows and magpies, all creatures often regarded by society as malevolent. The experience was powerful: troubling, sensually gorgeous yet very […]
The InterContinental Hotel Westminster, London
This, the newest InterContinental Hotel in London, opened recently in the politician’s part of London, close to the Houses of Parliament. It’s very competent-looking and geared to business with a lively early-evening bar. (no photos of that I’m afraid as it was way too dark). The design makes reference to both politics and the police […]
U-Konserve at Green Tulip
Don’t you sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole Green, ethical and sustainable thing when it comes to product design ? Well here is product that is refreshingly attractive as well as helping to tick those boxes above. I spotted these lunch boxes by U-Konserve on the Green Tulip stand at Home. It’s a smart collection […]