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.

Ultra Vanities at Goldsmiths

I dropped off a ring at Goldsmiths today for early hall and called in to see the summer exhibition 'Ultra Vanities- Bejewelled Make-Up Boxes from the Age of Glamour'. I had about half an hour before closing time. Ten minutes before the end, I started drawing a Cartier compact, then a Rozanes compact, each made from Onyx and Jade. The more I drew, the more I saw.

I'll call back again when I pick up my client's mother of pearl ring and I'll return with my pencil and paper.

These little bejewelled compacts, 'necessaire de beaute', from the 1920's to the 1970's are exquisitely crafted, with tiny drawers and compartments for wealthy fashionable clients' make-up and cigarettes. Van Cleef and Arpels is one of the fashion houses represented and has some of my favourites, but I loved the Cartier compacts, similar to the one below, with the chain and tube (is that to hold a tiny lipstick? Will have to find out.....)

The Oriental influence is seen in many 1920's compacts, like this one from Cartier with green jade, black onyx

Pepys' first Cup of Tee

I like this extract from Samuel Pepys diary, 1660, which I came across recently......

September 25th

To the office, where Sir W Batten, Collonel Slingsby, and I sat a while; ... And afterwards did send for a Cupp of Tee (a China drink) of which I never had drank before

Apparently it is one of the first references to drinking tea in England - it must have been a real luxury considering the cost and length of time it took transporting tea from the Far East. It was only drunk by the fashionably rich in England for the next 100 or so years.

 Chinese porcelain and a Yixing teapot

Britain has since become the country with the largest per capita tea consumers in the world.


I like this Dutch Golden Age painting by artist Roestraten (1627-1698) showing a Chinese tea set used in Europe.