Four Virtual Exhibitions

For anyone missing day trips to galleries and wandering around exhibitions,  there are some great virtual tours and guides online to help you get that culuture fix.

Ok, it's not quite the same thrill as seeing the work in person, nor do you have the delight of tea and cake in the cafe at the end, but there's something rather lovely about sitting with a cuppa (and cake) in the comfort of your own home whilst taking a virtual tour (they also have webshops if you miss the exit through the gift shop).

Here are four of my favourites available now;

Andy Warhol, Tate Modern, London

It's been almost 20 years since the last Andy Warhol retrospective at Tate Modern, so don't miss the opportunity to see some of his iconic, pop art alongside rarely seen works from his Ladies and Gentlemen' series.

Sophie Taeber-Arp, MOMA, NY

“a central figure in many of the most important avant-garde movements of the first half of the twentieth-century”  

Enjoy the work of artist, sculptor, dancer, teacher, writer, interior and textile designer, Sophie Taeber-Arp including her wonderful Dada heads.

Margaret Calvert: Women at Work, Design Museum, London

Celebrating the launch of Network Rail's new custom typeface, Rail Alphabet 2 created by Margaret Calvert, this exhibition also looks at Calvert's other work including the UK's renowned road-signing system which she co-designed.

Museo Frida Kahlo, Mexico City

Take a stroll around the brightly coloured home of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo – ‘La Casa Azul’ (The Blue House) in Mexico City. The birthplace and home of the artist for many years is now a museum of her life and work. 

Alphabets, Letters & Numbers

Peter Blake at the De La Warr Pavilion.

Blake has personally curated Alphabets, Letters and Numbers to showcase three series of editions: Alphabet (1991) a 26 piece series of silk screen prints with a print for each letter of the alphabet - I is for Idols ("a collage of screen legends, artists and musicians"), An Alphabet (2007) a series of found ephemera, illustration and handwritting collages - one for each letter of the alphabet. , and Appropriated Alphabets (2013) a series consisting of 12 individually collated alphabets.

"Throughout his long and prestigious career Blake has created several series of works based around the alphabet related to his enduring interest in childhood innocence and nostalgia, and Victorian and Edwardian graphic illustration. Using vintage cards, magazines, books and other found ephemera, he assembles collages that are at once whimsical, humorous and fascinating. He began using found letters and commercial lettering in the 1950s and, as a young artist, allied himself with decorators, sign painters and commercial artists."

The exhibition is free and runs until Sunday 27 November 2016. You know it's also the rule when you visit the De La Warr that you have to have a cream tea sat out on the terrace!

Interrobang - call for submissions

Calling all letterpress artists and designers!

Our friends at Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft are currently running an open submission for their forthcoming exhibition, Interrobang: an international showcase of letterpress print. The exhibition will be curated by the museum for The Village of Type, part of the Brighton Festival and the Artists’ Open House trail.

The Village of Type will be a season of exhibitions, workshops, lectures, residencies and printing events celebrating the centenary of the London Underground typeface, created by Edward Johnston when he lived in the village.

Publishers Random Spectacular will also be drawing on entries for a new publication looking at letterpress from around the world to accompany the exhibition.

Interested? Find out more and enter online here.

Entry closes on 14 February 2016. One submission per entry fee. All work must be printed using letterpress (although entries are to be submitted digitally), pieces can be created specifically for Interrobang or be existing work. Size is not limited, but pieces must be 2D and as this is a selling exhibition, you must have at least 5 copies of any submission.

Well Hello 2016!

Happy New Year.

It feels like only yesterday I was saying that at the start of 2015 - last year flew by for us and our poor blog was (once again) left unloved for far too long but I promise this year will be different.

For starters, here are two exhibitions in London right now that are guaranteed to bring a little happiness to you in this dreary month;

The EY Exhibition: The World goes Pop

"Whaaam! Pop! Kapow! This is pop art, but not as you know it."

The Tate Modern is showcasing lesser-known international artists from the pop-art movement in the 1960s and 70s, exhibiting together more than 200 works from Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Previously considered a western phenomenon, the exhibition demonstrates just how far globally this bright and bold movement spread and how it became a, "subversive international language of protest".

Showing until 24 January 2016 on Level 3 at Tate Modern, London.

The World of Charles and Ray Eames

Design icon alert! Over 380 "personal letters, photographs, drawings and artwork, products, models, multi-media installations and furniture", exhibits by Charles and Ray Eames are currently showing at the Barbican. The World of Charles and Ray Eames explores over 40 years of their pioneering and often experimental work, looking at their collaborators and their influences on 20th century architecture and design.

Showing until 14 February 2016 at The Barbican Gallery, London.

David Wolske: Abstract Letterpress

Letterpress on a whole new level! Drop into Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft to see the “stunning, and purely abstract” letterpress compositions of American artist, David Wolske - 14 to be exact. His bold and mostly colourful, relief letterpress prints use woodblock letters overprinted to create beautifully graphic patterns and shapes.

The exhibition runs until 3 January 2016, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to this fantastic museum in the beautiful village of Ditchling. And if that's not a good enough reason to take a trip out there, they also have delicious cake, a shop packed with design books and products from local and international artists.

Three reasons to visit the De La Warr Pavillion this weekend

1. Bridget Riley - The Curve Paintings 1961 - 2014

Not long left now to see this wonderful exhibition of paintings and studies spanning Bridget Riley’s 50 year career all, “illustrating the artist’s close dedication to the interaction of form and colour by looking at a single motif” - the curve.

The exhibition coincides with the start of celebrations marking 80 years of the Pavillion becoming the first public modernist building in the UK and has been curated to “directly connect with the building’s elegant architecture, opening out the interior space towards the sea”.

The exhibition runs until 6 September 2015 (free entry).

 

2. Towards an alternative history of graphic design: Schmuck, POP, bRian, Assembling

A slice of graphic design history from the late 60s to the mid 70s, shown through the development of four innovative publications; Schmuck, POP, bRian and Assembling - all created by artists with no design or typographic training, who embraced technological developments and exploited them to publish their own content.

“Artists were now in control of content and the form of a publication could be explored, creating a new energy and enthusiasm for print.”

The exhibition runs until the 4 October 2015 (free entry).

 

3. The Cream Teas

As gallery cafes go, this one is pretty special. There’s nothing better than one of their homemade scones, a bit of clotted cream, a dollop of jam and a lovely pot of tea sat out on their first floor terrace overlooking the sea.

Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon

The National Portrait Gallery are currently showing a wonderful collection of Audrey Hepburn images documenting her life (1929-1993) from chorus girl to international actress, iconic fashionista and overseas aid worker.

“A selection of more than seventy images will define Hepburn’s iconography, including classic and rarely seen prints from leading twentieth-century photographers such as Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson and Irving Penn. Alongside these, an array of vintage magazine covers, film stills, and extraordinary archival material will complete her captivating story.”

The exhibition runs until 18 October 2015 (entry is £10) so plenty of time to catch it and if that’s not enough to tempt you, the National Portrait Gallery also has a great cafe with delicious cake! If you can’t make it though, worry not as there’s an accompanying book by the same title (exclusive to the gallery) available here.

Summer Screen Prints

Print Club London's Summers Screen Prints opens at Somerset House today. We were lucky enough to grab tickets for the preview last night and can definitely recommend it. 

This years show consists of fifteen film-themed screen prints by selected Print Club artists, including two of our personal favourites Cassandra Yap and Steve Wilson. Each print is an edition of 200, signed and numbered by the artist and available exclusively through Print Club London.

The show runs until 23 August in the West Wing Galleries, so there's plenty of time to pop in and see it.

Four Play at Unlimited, Brighton

As part of Brighton's Fringe Festival and off the back of it's Box Park success, our friends at Unlimited have given over their shop and gallery to their Four Play exhibition - a collaboration between the Unlimited design studio and 40 of their artists, illustrators and designers.

"All 40 participants have been given a FOUR letter word to illustrate in their own distinctive visual style using a fixed palette of FOUR spot colours. Unlimited design studio are then incorporating their word into each artwork, creating a unique typographic response for each and an exciting collaborative final piece."

So, 40 playful and typographic prints by 40 artists in editions of 100 - what are you waiting for, get on over there before 31 May and check them out.

Pick Me Up 2015

Pick Me Up 2015 is currently in full swing at Somerset House, London showcasing a huge selection of illustration, design and print for the sixth year running and proving to be a successful platform for both emerging and established artists to promote their work.

London’s biggest graphic arts is not only a chance to engage with artists and designers about their work. Throughout the 12 days there’s a comprehensive programme of talks, debates, interactive workshops, demonstrations, the chance to create your own piece of print (with help) and the opportunity to purchase some wonderfully affordable art.

As we’re about half way through the festival I thought I’d share with you the very talented motley crew I’m showing alongside with BEST this year.

First up, our Brighton buddies hello DODO - ‘husband and wife team of playful printmakers’ brightening up the world with their colourful animal and pun-tastic screenprints.

Tattoo artist and printmaker, Alex Binnie. Normally found in his Brighton tattoo shop, Alex creates beautifully intricate wood and lino cuts inspired by his tattoo work and his past as a  medical illustrator.

Another pal of ours, illustrator and 80s toy collector Carlos Garde-Martin whose wonderfully detailed illustrations were seen all over Brighton last year as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival branding.

The lovely designer and illustrator Matt Jeffs (aka Nimbws - think ‘Nimbus’ but in Wesh) popping his exhibiting cherry at Pick Me Up with his quirky ‘cartoon Picasso’ style prints.

Dupenny, the brainchild of Brighton gal, Emily Dupenny brings a little cheekiness and vintage glamour to the party with her wonderful burlesque patterns and designs.

London based graffiti artists and designer Josh Stika (aka Stika) inspiring us with his great lettering and filling out our space with a giant (and I do mean giant) 3D ‘S’ - it lights up and everything!

Vinyl guru and king of perspex Curly Mark is back for a second year with more skulls, pop art style loveliness and laser-cut wooden jewellery.

Sam Egarr, designer, photographer and lover of all things typographic has joined us this year with her old shop signage inspired range of letter and number prints.

And last but not least, the lovely lady who had the vision and herded us all together Niki Best, former owner of BEST - the best shop in the world selling graffiti art, screenprints and limited edition art back when no-one even knew the name Banksy. Niki is selling off some of her very own collection at the show so grab the chance to own a classic Kozik smoking bunny, an Obey ‘André the Giant’ or an authentic Faile screenprint.

Pick Me Up runs until Monday 4 May. It’s open everyday 10am - 6pm and until 10pm tonight and tomorrow so come by and say hello.

Roadside Distractions

Today we'll be mostly hanging work at Somerset House - yep, we're showing with BEST at Pick Me Up again this year. Lots to do before the private view tonight so I won't hang about, but pop on down and have a look at the first two posters in our new 'Roadside Distractions' series of A2 lino prints.

The show runs from 23 April - 4 May 2015 and from what I've seen of the work being hung so far it looks like it's going to be a cracker.

Happy New Year

2015 looks set to be full of adventure and excitment at Delicious, with lots of fun new projects and challenges on the horizon.

My New Years resolutions are to, a. blog more and b. visit more exhibitions.

Why not start your 2015 with some style and culture down at Somerset House? No, not ice skating but visiting two fantastic exhibitions they have on at the minute:

Guy Bourdin: Image Maker

"The UK's largest ever exhibition of the influential and enigmatic fashion photographer".

Man Ray protégé and inspiration to many contemporary fashion photographers, Guy Bourdin's work is intriguing and beautiful, "From his professional debut for Paris Vogue in the 1950s, Bourdin developed a distinctive style of visual storytelling which continues to serve as a source of inspiration to contemporary fashion photographers from Tim Walker to Nick Knight.". The exhibition runs until 15 march and features over 100 pieces from his four-decade career, some of which are previously unseen.

Chris Stein/Negative: Me, Blondie, and The Advent of Punk

To conicide with Blondie's 40th Annversary, the exhibition showcases a collection of previously unseen, behind-the-scenes images of the iconic group, their punk friends and venues from underground dives to sold-out stadiums all taken on the road by Chris Stein. "A snapshot of the punk scene that Blondie pioneered and shows how their influence on music and fashion is just as relevant today as it was four decades ago". There's only three weeks left to catch this one, so don't delay it closes it's doors on the 25 January.

Quentin Blake Rareties at Castor + Pollux

Signed, limited edition Quentin Blake prints and sold-out rareties at Castor + Pollux, Brighton.

Our favourite seafront gallery is showing a wonderful selection of Quentin Blake limited edtion and previously sold-out rarely available prints all signed by the man himself. Recognised and loved by all ages from the pages of Roald Dahl' s equally wonderful books, these illustrations bring back happy childhood memories and I can't wait to see them.

The exhibiton runs until 4 January 2015 at Castor + Pollux, seafront gallery and bookstore, 165 King's Road Arches, Lower Promenade, Brighton BN1 1NB

All images copyright Quentin Blake.

Pop-up shop at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft

So, today Niki Best and I had a lovely morning at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft setting up our pop-up shop ready for their 1st birthday party tomorrow.

Remember it's FREE entry 11am - 10pm, there's local beer, produce and cake. Workshops and fun activities are running throughout the day and then of course there's the pop-up shops from me and Niki Best, Brighton's Unlimited and the guys from SORT.

We would love to see you, come down be sure to say hello.

Horst: Photographer of Style

‘Fashion is an expression of the times. Elegance is something else again.’ Horst, 1984

Fashion and portrait photographer Horst P Horst (1906 - 1999) had a career spanning 6 decades. His beautiful images regularly graced the pages and covers of French, British and American Vogue ranking him up there with the likes of Richard Avedon and Irving Penn as one of the great photographers of the 20th Century.

He joined Vogue in 1931 under his mentor George Hoyningen-Huene, who he eventually superseded as Paris Vogue’s primary photographer. Over the years he shot fashion models, royalty, movie stars, nature and ancient ruins all with the same elegance, timeless poise and striking composition.

The V&A are currently showing a retrospective of Horst’s wonderful work, Horst: Photographer of Style until 4 January 2015 and I for one cannot wait to see it!