Interview with Geraldine Swayne in Epifanio

 

Congrats to Geraldine Swayne for being the cover star of the latest issue of Epifanio. You can read the interview with her: HERE

For more info on Geraldine's paintings visit: HERE

Terry Hall died one year ago

 

Terry Hall photographed by Chalkie Davies in 1980

Terry Hall of The Specials, Fun Boy 3, The Colourfield, and Vegas died of pancreatic cancer this time last year. He was only 63 years young.

One of the best songs from his 90s solo albums was 'No, No, No'

Listen: HERE 

More Terry pics...

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Peace On Earth

'Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth' painted in November 2023 by Harry Pye and Rowland Smith. Acrylic on canvas 65cm x 90cm. This painting was inspired by the song George Harrison released in 1973. Listen to the track: HERE. 

An A6 size Christmas Card of the painting has been made. You can buy 10 cards for £10 (plus £2.50 postage and packing) for more details e-mail: mrharrypye@yahoo.com

Stand A14 at The Independent Art Fair Platform Projects in Athens

Iavor Lubomirov is an artist and curator born in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1978. He lives, loves and works in London. In 2019 Iavor Lubomirov opened Cable Depot - a project space inside an industrial storage unit in Woolwich, where he is curating long projects, with artists he values and on his own terms. Today Iavor is positioned at Stand A14 at The Independent Art Fair Platform Projects in Athens. The artists whose work he's taken with him to Greece includes; Bob Bicknell Knight, Ed Hadfield, Isha Böhling, Marianne Wye, Suzanne Spiro, John Crossley, Rebecca Bergese, Katherine Lubar, Aki Moriuchi, Sandra Gayle, Sue Kennington, Sarah Pager, Asaki Kan, Colin Maitland, Maggie Learmouth, Harry Pye, Nick Dawes, Francis Macdonald, Loretta Wall, Victoria Rance, Chris Tosic, and Sarah Sparkes.

Above: 'Spin To Win' by Bob Bicknell Knight photo by Oriana Antonaropoulou. For more info on the artist visit: HERE

Above: 'Flowers' by Harry Pye and a work by Colin Maitland photographed by Oriana Antonaropoulou

Above: The space photographed by Iavor

Above: 'Atlantis Garden Number 1' by Loretta Wall

Above: (Artist Unknown) photo by Oriana Antonaropoulou

Above: 'Yo Yo' (A4 sized inkjet print) by Chris Tosic

Above: 'Elvis Drawing' by Francis Macdonald

Above: 'Grown Up Dorothy' by Suzanne Spiro

A Letter In Mind Online Sale Begins on Wednesday 25th Oct

 

A Letter in Mind is a special exhibition that will be open from 24-28 October at Gallery Different (14 Percy St, London W1T 1DR). Some of the amazing artists taking part include; Sir Grayson Perry, Axel Scheffler, Christopher Nolan, Joe Lycett, Leigh Francis (Keith Lemon), Mark Gatiss, Morag and Ishbel Myerscough, Harry Pye, Nicky Bryant, Robert Raynard, Louis Caulfield, Annabel Dover, Russell Herron, Phylida Law, Andrew Marr, Kevin Eldon, Simon Munnery, Gill Rocca, Sarah Wood, Eva Tait, Chantal Joffe, Indira Varma and Dame Zandra Rhodes.⁠ All artworks will be priced at £85 and sold via their online gallery. The works will remain anonymous until they are sold; the names of the artists will be revealed at the end of the exhibition.⁠ All proceeds from sales will help to transform life for the millions of people affected by neurological and neuromuscular conditions in the UK. The online gallery can be found at: www.aletterinmind.org

Micko Westmoreland on The Spammed recording with The Blockheads for The Roots of Punk compilation

 

Wednesday 26th May was the designated recording day for charity supergroup, The Spammed. First through the door of Hackney’s famed The Premises studio is Rat Scabies, a drummer truly like no other. Picking up the sticks, says he hasn’t played since the Damned reunion… but he’s in there instantly, all set up with a minimum of fuss. Next is special guest, Mickey Gallagher, from the Blockheads - what a player! His style has grown over the decades and at the tender age of 78, reached perfection. Our previous keyboardist was the late, great Neil Innes, we miss him bad, but he’ll be with us in spirit on this auspicious day. New boy Paul Cuddeford (Holy Holy/Boomtown Rats), guitar supremo with snazzy Gretsch and big smile shows up. Then Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey/Everybody) with miscellaneous brass under each arm, making light work of what most find difficult to carry. Horace Panter is soon on the scene too, bass player of The Specials, ex special needs teacher and nicked named ‘Horace Gentleman’ for very good reason. The second special guest is Chaz Jankel (Blockheads) taking the production chair for the day; the last three occasions we have had the good grace of Tony Visconti, Nick Lowe and Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones). Chaz has a zillion credits to his name, co-writing major hits with Ian Dury and collaborators such as Quincy Jones to Sly & Robbie, He’s had trouble getting parked but is very happy to be here. Last through the door the ‘sainted’ Kevin Eldon, the band’s singer, traditionally known for acting and comedy. 

 

The featured track to be recorded is ’Louie Louie’ and it will join some 40 other artists on a themed CD for Specilaized (Teenage Cancer Trusthttps://specializedproject.com). On this occasion the theme is ’The Roots of Punk Rock’.

 

When I first heard the Kingsmen version as a kid, I thought it’s what adults listened to when they were drunk! But it’s the coffee that gets us fired up to move through to the live room and start run throughs. The band is loose, which is code for finding our way into the track. We work it a few times through before Chaz reaches for ‘record’. He’s very keen on feel - together but with swing - that’s how he thinks the track will work. ‘Tight’, of course, is good but ‘tidy’, is not where it’s at.

 

We work up three versions, then have a break and go through to the control room to listen. Expectations are high as a couple of the takes appear to work, the track however is legendary so we are keen to pay it good service. After some contemplation, Chaz wants an alternative without a ‘click’ to see how it plays in comparison. Take 4 sails and it’s a tough call. But the feel of the song resists a strict metronome and it’s this take where we have all fallen into our own rhythm that Chaz opts for..

 

In the meantime, co-organiser, who was there from the very formation, artist Harry Pye has brought a bag of props, it’s photo time. There’s a lot of sailor hats but not quite enough, Kevin nobly dons a lovely blonde curly wig found in the bag and Paul flat cap. We all manage to stand within close proximity with room for elbows for a take on the back cover of ‘Do it yourself’ (1979).

 

Rat scoots off before rush hour but now it’s time for backing vocals, reluctant lead singers form a queue. BV’s are always fun as it’s a team sport where everybody wins.

The later stages of the session polishes up the track with a bold attempt to get the mix to bed on the very day, Louie Louie style. There’s plenty of group discussion about various solos and vocal levels but Chaz has the know-how to make all the experience in the room shine.

 

I cheekily blag a lift with him back to North London, I do have tons of gear. We have a fascinating chat on the way where he tells me about his latest project, a collab with Simon Heath who plays an instrument called the Duduk and talks about his classical music influences which include Mozart and Max Bruch. There’s an adagio melody at the heart of the Symphony in G minor that’s the most beautiful melody he’s ever heard. We part on the front step with a bear hug. What a great day! Joyous memories flood to centre brain.

 

https://specializedproject.com

 

‘The Roots of Punk Rock’ out Autumn 2023

Jeremy Deller makes affordable Willie Nelson inkjet print for National Brain Appeal

Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller has made a high quality affordable ink jet print called 'Willie Nelson Is Always On My Mind'

The inkjet prints are A2 size and are signed on the back. All the money made from the sales will go to help thoses suffering with; MS, Dementia, Parkinson's, and Epilepsy. The charity regrets they are unable to send the post overseas. For those in the United Kingdom the prints are £125 including postage and packing. Buy the print from The National Brain Appeal Web Shop: HERE

 

For more info on Jeremy Deller's previous work visit the Tate website: HERE

Listen to Willie sing Always On My Mind HERE

Vesna Parchet solo show opens at Fitzrovia Gallery 6th of September at 6pm

'Under The Surface' is the fantastic solo show of recent work by London based artist Vesna Parchet who was a recent participant of the Off Site program at Turps Art School. There is much to admire about Vesna's figurative oil paintings which are likley to appeal to fans of Rego, Pablo and Art Brut.

The opening party for 'Under The Surface' is Wednesday 6^th September, 6pm – 9pm. The exhibition is then open to the public from the 7^th to the 10th of September from 12 till 6pm. Fitzrovia Gallery is a very short walk from Warren Street Tube. The address is: 139 Whitfield Street W1T 5EN

You are invited to the opening party of Always On My Mind Part 2 at Fitzrovia Gallery on Thursday 31st August

Event: Always On My Mind Part 2

Date: Thursday 31st August 2023

Time: 6pm till 9pm

Address: Fitzrovia Gallery, 139 Whitfield Street, W1T 5EN

Above: The artist John Peter Askew

(Photo by Peter Tainsh)

Above: The artist Bruce McLean

Above: The artist Dom Kennedy

Above: The curator Harry Pye with the U.K's most Marmite M.P. Jeremy Corbyn

(Photo by Peter Tainsh)

Above: The artist Jeremy Deller

(Photo by Peter Tainsh)

Above: The artist Russell Herron

(Photo by Peter Tainsh)

Above: The artist Geraldine Swayne signing one of her 10 inkjet prints which will be available at the opening party for just £10

Above: The artist James Lawson holding one of his 10 inkjet prints which will be available for at the opening party for just £10.

Above: The artist Sarah Wood holding one of her 10 inkjet prints which will be available at the opening party for just £10

The exhibition has been written about by Clive Jennings in Fitzrovia news. Read about it HERE

Details about the exhibition have been uploaded on Art Rabbit which you can read: HERE 

The show was included in Seb's Art List which you can see  HERE

The show has been featured in FAD magazine which you can read about: HERE

Artworks featured in Always On My Mind Part 2

 Some works featured in the Always On My Mind show...

Above: 'In The Balance' 2020 by Marcus Cope oil on jute, 71 x 51cm

Above: 'Riddle Me' (2023) by Louise Reynolds Size: Approxiamtely A3  Price: £850

Above: 'Step 2 Number 9' by James Lawson, 2023 Price: £2000 Size: 90 cm x 90 cm.

Above: 'Counting Grid 24', 2022, by James Lawson £1000, 60 cm x 60 cm.

Above: Lemon Bed, 2022 by Lee Maelzer oil on canvas, 33.3 x 21.3 cm. Price: £1,500

Above: 'Cardboard Portrait 10' by Russell Herron (2020) pencil on paper (framed) 35cm x 33cm Price: £600

Above: 'History Drawing' by Russell Herron Pencil on paper, mounted in black wood frame, 48cm by 35cm. Price: £700

Above: Shining (III), 2020, by Clare Chapman Oil on canvas, 30x40cm, Price: £850

Above: Torn (II), 2021 by Clare Chapman. Oil on canvas, 25.5x30.5cm Price: £750

Above: Over Me, 2023, by Clare Chapman Oil on canvas, 25.5x33cm Price: £750

Above: Interlude II, 2023 by Dominic Kennedy,  Oil and crayon on card in frame

42.1 x 59.3cm, Price: £750

Above: 'Untitled' pink and blue framed artwork by Dom Kennedy 41.8 x 59.3 cm Price: £750

Above: Swans by John Peter Askew.

Inkjet Print (approx. 30cm x 40cm) Price: £50 (edition of 10)

Above: 'Anxious Head Sky Blue' by Geraldine Swayne Inkjet print in an edition of just 10 approximately 30cm x 40cm available for £50)

The actual painting Anxious Head Sky Blue is 61cm x 45.5cm 2023 Price: £2500

Above: Arial and Jude by Geraldine Swayne (Inkjet print in an addition of just 10 approximately 30cm x 40cm available for £50)

The actual painting Jude and Ariel is 42.5cm x 35 cm 2023 Price: £5000

Above: Dead Man's Coat - Elephant by Marcus Cope (This artwork has now sold)

Above: 'Land Owner' by Raksha Patel Inkjet Print (approx. 30cm x 40cm) Price: £50 (edition of 10)

Above: Twins by Edie Flowers  acrylic on canvas, 45 x 45cm. Price: £750

Above: Mother 2023 by Nicola Hicks. Inkjet print 30 x 40cm (approx.) £50

Above:  Dependent by Sarah Wood, 2023 Price: £50 for inkjet print approx. 30 by 40cm) The actual painting is oil on board (41cm x 31cm) and is on sale for £600.

Kim James-Williams, Green Fuse, Acrylic drawing on board, 340x440mm, £460 framed

 Bruce McClean 'Study For A Large Plate' oil pastel on paper £850 all the money will be going to the National Brain Appeal.

Jeremy Deller will be selling 3 prints made especially for the show. They will be priced at £100 and all the money will go to the National Brain Appeal.