Cathy Hart Sculpture

My sister Cathy had her final Open Studios this summer at the legendary Arches Studios in Peckham. She'll soon be leaving London and will be Belfast-based, creating funky sculptures like this big bird which sold recently, so look out for her work! 

 I hope the Arches Studios stay standing for a long time, despite Peckham's gentrification - artists and locals keeping the heart and soul of Peckham alive and kicking. 

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!

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

Flux Open Studios @ Vanguard Court

Call in to see the marvellous talent at Vanguard Court in Camberwell next weekend Friday 29th November - Sunday 1st December. You're in for a treat!

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!

London Irish Centre

I had a great evening in Camden Square recently at The London Irish Centre. I was there for an Art Exhibition Ireland in Our Eyes. There was a great atmosphere with upbeat Irish music (I don't hear it that often in London!) by Jim McKee and chatting to the artists. I knew two of the artists - one, a friend Jamie, and the other, Corin, is a sculptor whose studio is next to us at Flux in Camberwell. He had a very successful show.

I also liked this quote from Seamus Heaney which I read there:

'I can't think of a case where poems changed the world, 

but what they do is change people's understanding 

of what's going on in the world.'

Proms 2013

One of my favourite concerts at the proms- Gorecki, Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky. Last night tonight. 

Though the sublime musical experience was almost topped by the caramelised figs and walnuts ice cream I had at Odonno's in South Ken beforehand:) ......will certainly be back.

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.