Rare Beauty

I'm showing with the wonderful designers from Flux Studios next week in Clerkenwell 17-22 Nov. Really excited about this one!  We're open late on Thursday 19th - hope to see you there!

Ai Wei Wei at the RA

Looking forward to going in to see this exhibition, but in the meantime I really enjoyed walking through the striking installation of sections of trees in the courtyard: collected from the mountains of southern China. 

Feast of Irish Colour

Monica Boyle Falacies of Hope VI

Yesterday I was delighted to discover the Barbara Stanley Gallery on Connaught Street which shows Irish contemporary art. What a find. I recognise some of the artists and loved seeing lots of Irish landscapes, as my own dissertation at university was on Irish landscape art. The soft atmospheric colours in some of the paintings are typically Irish with the good old Atlantic weather fronts blowing in - usually bringing rain!
I was struck by the rich glowing colours in Monica Boyle and Cormac O'Leary's paintings.

Looking forward to seeing more Irish art in future shows at this Gallery, especially having had a warm welcome from the owner.

Cormac O'Leary All Soul's Night

Claire Hart Design in the Yard Gallery

For those of you back in NI, the next time you're in Holywood have a coffee at The Yard Gallery where you can see two of my newly-arrived paintings -  Chinese teacups with blossom. They were framed at my favourite local gallery Great Expectations in Camberwell, SE London - and what a fantastic job they've done. I'm looking forward to calling in to The Yard next time I'm back in Belfast.

New Collection 2014 at Johnny Rocket's

My new collection in silver and rose gold makes its debut at Johnny Rocket's Gallery this week. 

More additions to the collection to follow - and will be available in my other outlets later in the year. 

Rose Gold Branch Wrap Ring

Rose Gold Branch Necklace

Angels at the Royal Academy

We had to climb high to see them, but it's not often you get such a close up look at these details in the Royal Academy. We loved looking through one of the portholes of the enormous wooden installation to unexpectedly find a golden angel.

The Sensing Spaces exhibition was interactive and peaceful to walk around. Busy as it was the last night, but fun - and for a non-architect like me it opened my mind to new ideas of 3-D space. 

Favourite quote by Li Xiaodong: 'Allowing room for the visitors imagination is essential if a space is to become a satisfying physical experience'

   Favourite installation was Kengo Kuma's  for the atmosphere he created

Kengo Kuma at the Royal Academy

Xmas @ Johnny Rocket Gallery, Greenwich

If it's luxury jewellery you're looking for this Christmas, get along to Johnny Rocket's Gallery in Greenwich for the best in British Designer Jewellery, all in one cool space. Each designer hand-picked by Johnny and showcased in his French style salon.

selected jewellery by Claire Hart Design stocked at Johnny Rocket's

Philip Rhys Matthews solo exhibition at GX Gallery

Locomotive

It was fantastic to be at the Private View of Photographer Philip Rhys Matthews, at GX Gallery in Camberwell last night. I was impressed to hear about the amount of painstaking work and research that goes in to each photoshoot, from the detailed embroidery he did himself for the Chinese costume, to the printing of images on to silk for the backdrops. I liked the size of the prints and the fact that each photograph is printed on rag pearl giving a warmth of tone.

Fiscal Cure

Fiscal Cure, Fiscal Cancer is an incredible first solo exhibition for this recently graduated young photographer, with his well researched reference to fine art while exploring current issues about East/West relations, in the context of stunning fashion photography. I wish him every success in his career and will be fascinated to see how his work progresses in the future.

Seeing the elaborate costume and accessories in the show reminded me of traditional Chinese Empress costumes. In December I will hear Jung Chang speaking at the V&A about her new book,  'Empress Dowager Cixi: The concubine who launched Modern China'. Having heard Jung Chang speak before, I'm really looking forward to this one.

Love London

This weekend is the last chance to see Tutti Frutti, Rare Beauty, our October show on Columbia Road. We'd love to see you.  I'll be there with Vicky Forrester tomorrow on our very last day.

 What a great show it's been at the Number Ninety-Four Gallery. Thanks to Simon for hosting us so brilliantly. What a social hub it is! 

 Want to check out a few things on Columbia Road if there's time tomorrow; Beyond Fabrics  for haberdashery supplies and to call in next door to Number 94, where the legendary Angela Flanders, perfumer with cult following, has her original and exclusive perfumes. 

Next week, in between silversmithing and painting, I'll be taking a beginner's calligraphy workshop taught by Japanese Calligrapher, Shoho. And if I have time I'll be along to the V&A to see the Pearl Exhibition and Chinese Painting  - the once in a lifetime chance to see rare collections from around the world. 

So much to do!

Columbia Road sunflowers

 Thanks to lots of friends and family who called in to our show today at Number 94 Gallery on Columbia Road - and especially to Bridget and Chris for bringing us sunflowers which really brightened up a rainy day!

Tutti Frutti, Rare Beauty

We're open at Number Ninety-Four Gallery - call in if you're on Columbia Road any weekend this October!

Masterpiece 2. Bill Viola

Lifespans

I was so pleased to see the new Bill Viola video 'Lifespans' premièred at Masterpiece through his London Gallery Blain Southern. I chatted to a helpful person from the gallery about Viola, who is one of the most influential artists of our time and one of my all-time favourites. I was delighted to hear about a new installation by Viola which will be coming to St Paul's sometime soon. The first of its kind, it will be a permanent installation in the cathedral. I'm looking forward to seeing that.

I've loved his work ever since I was mesmerised by it at the Tate Modern years ago - slow-motion videos in reverse, of people diving into water. Mesmerising and meditative, the room was packed full of silent crowds, immersed in the darkened room with four large screen videos. Very special to experience art like for the first time: ground-breaking art that which slows you down to reflect on life.

This interview with Viola, in which he explains the underlying reason for his fascination with water, is worth watching.