Depth

In our busy lives it is not always easy to find time to delve beyond the surface. 

Knowingly bombarded by superficial, biased viewpoints, some liberal and informed enough to sound convincing, we struggle to keep abreast of all that is happening in our world.

Every now and then a little gem of deeper knowledge sparkles bright and catches our attention.

 Illustration by Sam Hofman and Kyle Bean

Karen Armstrong, a former nun, religious scholar, and in 2008 the initiator of The Charter of Compassion recently wrote The Myth of Religious Violence for The Guardian, an article that managed to shed some light on a complex situation (not without controversy though!).

The art of children

Children are brilliant. They produce great art without knowing it. Spontaneously. Without being self-conscious. But only for a short time. Mark making, some like doing it more than others, but the only value is in the joy of the doing...until the adult world interferes and starts adding meaning, disturbing the peace.

There is a sort lived time when the imagination reigns supreme, gloriously unfettered and the inner critic hasn't yet gained enough strength to be heard and allowed  to spoil the fun. 

Nature's 'gifts'

For Zola...xxx

Pigeon poo/Window

The price to pay!

Affordable Art Fair

23-26 October

Chance. Ludmilla Andrews.The Stromboli Group.

Take a deep breath and fork out the £15 it costs to get in...worth it for research purposes you mutter to yourself, unless of course you go to buy, in which case, it is just the  inconvenience of scrabbling around to find your card that stops you briefly in your tracks.

There is a lot to see, lanes and lanes of galleries all offering very different ranges in style and price.

A chance to chat, to ask questions and maybe even pick up some tips. Potential galleries to target for your work, a sense of pricing, presentation, ideas to nick. It's all good fun, especially when someone buys a piece of work that just minutes before, you and your friends deemed jaw-droppingly hideous! 

Set up by Will Ramsey fifteen years ago, having started off as a warehouse venture bridging the gap between those interested in purchasing contemporary art and lesser known artists whose work was still affordable. A huge success, now held twice a year in London, with fairs also taking place in various cities around the world.

      

See, Pay, Wrap and Go is the order of the day! 

Barbicania mania

Curious I am indeed to see what the wonderful filmmaking duo of  Ila Beka and Louise Lemoine have made of their month-long immersion in the life of The Barbican in their soon to be premiered video diary Barbicania.

 Negotiating this 'village' in the centre of the city of London is best done with plenty of time to spare, as it is much harder to appreciate when you are running late for a show, and haven't yet located the re-assuring yellow line leading to it's throbbing cultural heart, The Barbican Centre.

This area is a real treat for fans of Brutalist Architecture or of social experiments in total living spaces. Lots of information on it's history and design concept can be found on the web site and maps and tours are also available.

The Barbican Centre hosts a whole array of exhibitions, talks, concerts ( the great, and sorely missed Cesaria Evoria deserves a mention), films, kids activities...an Eames show coming up next year...a never-ending stream of cultural stimulation. If you go on a Sunday you can even dive into the conservatory and lose yourself amongst the palm fronds and fish filled ponds.   

Urban Retreats

Located in the grounds of the newly transformed Imperial War Museum it is well worth spending a few quiet moments enjoying the tranquility of The Tibetan Peace Garden.

As you sit on the meditation seats wrapped by the curved walls, gazing inwardly at the Kalachakra Mandala, the nearby hum of traffic melts into the background. Instead the intentions of this special place, consecrated by the Dalai Lama  in 1999, come to the fore. As does the wonderful smells and colours of the planting and the satisfying symmetry of  the sculptures representing the four elements of fire, water, air and earth. 

Art Maps

Negotiating  the vast swathes of London  in search of galleries and studios is a daunting task. Anything that makes this easier is welcomed. And anyone that keeps on top of the ever burgeoning art scene and lets us know about it, has to be congratulated.

First up is South London Art Map with their map and app, tours and SLAM Fridays. They cover the art hubs of Bankside, Bermondsey, Peckham, Deptford and their newest addition, Greenwich.

They have also recently extended further south and have launched South East Coast Art Map. Brighton, Hastings, Folkestone and Margate are all on their radar. So trips to the seaside, in all weathers, are now on the agenda!

Then we have First Thursdays where over 150 galleries in the East End come together on the first Thursday of every month and run free events, exhibitions, talks, workshops, and private views.

The North London Art Map caters mainly for the borough of Camden and is hosted by the  Zabludowicz Collection.

Open-access Sculpture

London Sculpture Workshop

Modelled on longstanding initiatives such as the  Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and the Glasgow Sculpture Studios, London's first open access sculpture workshop has been in existence for a mere two years. 

A much needed facility offering fully equipped  metal & wood workshops with additional mould-making and ceramic areas. 

Lots of technical courses are available to expand on your skills and the added bonus is that it is run by lovely friendly people, all practicing artists, creating a supportive non-intimidating atmosphere!