Kathleen and Ninian

My dad has posted over an interesting mix of old family photos and this one is my favourite for the story behind it, for its perfect composition, with the little girl looking straight into the lens and the way she is so at ease with her uncle - this photo is nearly 100 years old.

It dates from 1917 and shows my Dad's mum, Kathleen Williams, outside her home in Eglantine Avenue, Belfast.  She is with her beloved Uncle Ninian who had emigrated to Australia a few years earlier and had joined the army. He was posted back to Europe and came home to Belfast on leave to see his family. No-one knew it would be the last time they would see him and so the photo captures a very special moment. He was killed in battle in France the following year, near the end of the First World War.

China through the looking glass

It's fun wandering around the V&A on a Friday night. I even saw the Forbidden City clothes exhibition for the fourth time....I can never see it enough, and notice new things every time I return. But we mostly loved looking at the huge variety of beautiful objects, catching up over a drink after work and soaking up the buzzing atmosphere.

It still holds the number one spot as my favourite museum in London.

Waves, clouds, butterflies



The Emperor's summer court robe



....and plenty of cranes and dragons too.

After the travel, snow, celebrations and parties of Christmas and New Year, I've been enjoying time on my own to sketch, photograph and explore in the V&A  - I like it so much I've been twice already this new year.

The V&A is exhibiting an exquisite collection of Royal robes from the Forbidden City - costumes made from stunning fabric with hand embroidered designs: an incredible display of talent, reflecting the enormous wealth of the Qing dynasty. My favourite was a deep midnight blue overcoat for the Empress with the most stunningly designed cranes in flight, among the clouds. Worth a third visit and I'm sure I'll notice new things I didn't see on the first two trips.

One Chinese opinion of Britain

'I do not forget the lonely remoteness of your island, cut off from the world

by intervening wastes of sea'.

A quote from the Qianlong Emperor of China on meeting a delegation of British Envoys in 1793. They had spared no expense in making the best possible impression on the court, in order to open the doors to trade in the East.

The answer to trade with the tiny country situated on the edge of the globe was of course a definite no.

(from 'The High Road to China')

A day in London

One day last week the worlds of teaching and silversmithing overlapped and I ended up with a blast of different cultures: going from Stockwell to the East End, then to the Neasden Mandir, Dalston Mosque, Hatton Garden and finally Camberwell. Felt like I'd travelled around a bit of the world - and mostly in a double decker!

Starting in the East End, we 'trekked' north west to the Neasden Mandir. Incredibly ornate marble carvings all shipped over from India, heated marble floor, a ceremony with priests and worshippers chanting: we read about Hindusim's immense history in the museum.  

The Turkish Mosque in Dalston is also beautifully patterned and has the most enormous chandelier, suspended from the centre, high above the worshippers. Lots of light blues and greens, flowers and leaves.

 Then to Hatton Garden http://www.hatton-garden.net/, London's diamond centre to pick up hallmarked work at the Assay Office http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/assay-office/   (not working with diamonds yet!)

Finally made it to SE London, to my studio in Vanguard Court, Camberwell to squeeze in three hours of making time in preparation for next week's Open Studios.

..........Phew! 

The Oval Lounge

This is close to the house and I've walked past it so many times. Finally went inside for coffee with a friend and I love it. Friendly service, good food, cosy atmosphere:
this could get me through the cold winter I hear we're going to have!

http://www.ovallounge.co.uk/

Robin

....he stopped for a few seconds and I got the picture!

Silence in the City

silence




Difficult to find in London.

Decided to check this out  http://www.silenceinthecity.org.uk/  for myself the other evening and I wasn't disappointed.

Imagine 300 people, listening to an inspiring speaker, hearing about prayer, wholeness, having two ten minute periods of sitting in complete silence.

rare in our culture

possibly very powerful

Vivaldi and Stop the Traffik

Sublime music last weekend at Holy Trinity Brompton - Bach and Vivaldi's Four Seasons - in aid of a cause close to my heart, helping to free people who have been sold into modern-day slavery.

Sailing, Living Water, Bath and Ting Kau Bridge

Finally I have let go of my favourite silver spoon - which is now with little Chloe, who behaved perfectly at her Christening in Bath on Sunday. I loved the simplicity of the white bowl on gathered blue fabrics to symbolise the Water of Life. A simple and beautifully meaningful ceremony.

Chloe's parents met when they were skippers in Greece and have travelled a lot together. I'm sure they will pass on their love of sailing and their love of God to Chloe.

It was followed by a magnificent lunch in the family home in a pretty little village nearby. I sat next to a civil engineer who had been a project manager on the stunning Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong: one of the most majestic bridges in the world, built to resemble the masts of ships. This was his last project before training to become a vicar, then chaplain.

Enjoying all the water links today :)

Dulwich Picture Gallery and David Gentleman

Flux Studios was at Dulwich Picture Gallery last night along with other makers, while David Gentleman signed copies of his book. I had a chat with him. I remembered selling his book 'Britain' in the Art Department of Hatchards, Piccadilly http://www.hatchards.co.uk/  a long time ago. Just turned 80, he is a prolific painter and is already planning his next project  - a visual diary of London, which he will carry out over course of a year. Looking forward to seeing that when it is published.

We had fun chatting to lots of people last night and eating phenomenal food from Luca's bakery http://www.lucasbakery.com/ , Lordship Lane. I had the best sausage roll I've ever tasted. I brought huge cheese straws and giant prezels home with me. I chatted to the ceramicist next to us and she is still making, although she must be around David Gentleman's age. Producing beautiful pottery and selling, she has been making a living from her ceramics for many years. She told me that the key to earning a living from your art is to be determined and keep going even though there are setbacks. She has never used a computer and of course is not online. She said she just doesn't have time for it!

Wonderful to meet two inspiring older creative people, who are still working, all in one evening.

Chloe's Silver Spoon

Finished and lovely, don't you think? 

Letters engraved at http://www.rhwilkins.co.uk/ in Leather Lane, near Hatton Gardens.