Today I went to the Hayward Gallery to see Human Factor, an exhibition of sculptures of human bodies made by 25 contemporary artists. It is magnificent – haunting, shocking, beautiful. I have come away feeling like I have been given a gift. It is showing until the 7th September. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery
It’s coming! Wait for it!
London’s Urban Art Fair hits the streets again on July 12th and 13th 2014.
This exciting, festive annual event in Brixton London presents the work of over 200 artists from graffiti to painting to etching to photography and more. Buy work direct from the artist at accessible prices and join the celebration of the artists’ community in London.
I will be there at 7Hc on the corner of Leander Road – Seek me out!
Bare naked bike riders save the planet
This Saturday the London Naked Bike Riders ride through London to protest against car culture and oil dependence and to demonstrate how vulnerable cyclists are on the road. It’s also a celebration of body freedom and a lot of fun! You don’t need to be completely naked, just go “as pare as you dare” – eg most people wear shoes. South London starts in West Norwood and Clapham Junction. Ride, Support, Encourage, Enjoy. For more information http://
The skill to draw
The ability to draw can be learned just as you learned to read and write.
I run a course called Can’t Draw! in response to all those exclamations uttered by those who were never taught. It is 30 hours of tuition over 6 weekly sessions on Saturdays at The Portico Gallery in West Norwood. You can find out more by looking at www.cantdraw.co.uk. The fee for this course is £200.
I will run a course over six weeks June 21st – July 26th if 10 people commit to attend. Deadline for booking is 7th June so if you would like to take part, email me on [email protected]. Take control!
Something more than clocks
The clocks moving forward for summer is one thing. Our adherence to clocks is another. So I thought about what I do in the three months when the swifts visit us from Africa.
SWIFTS’ SUMMERTIME
From the first sighting of the swifts to their farewell, see you next year.
Awakening
Sunrise less thirty minutes. When the shimmer on the eastern edge is the outrider of dawn. When the Blackbird calls.
It is not a time to drive a vehicle or turn on the media.
Rising
Sunrise. When the earth rolls round and lifts the sun into the sky. When our colours waken and the earth and sky shimmer and the day’s concert opens.
It is time to tiptoe and whisper.
Walking
Normal leaving hour – leave thirty minutes earlier. Walking towards work.
It is time for listening and humming and feeling the earth and sky.
Nourishment
When you are hungry in the middle of the day and give yourself two hours. When the summer warms our bodies through to the heart.
It is time to give your body nourishment and rest in the sun.
Standing Still
When the sun sets. When the colours deepen and red glows and only swifts circle high and cry out. The air cools, noise subsides and the stars shine.
It is time to be still and remember. Music is kind.
