the Annotated Wind in the Willows

the Annotated Wind in the Willows

“To that extent is a specimen of the most scandalous escapism: it paints a happiness under incompatible conditions—the sort of freedom we can have …

 

Mari Kanstad Johnsen-full Norwegian character

Mari Kanstad Johnsen-full Norwegian character

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to you all – albeit mid January!  …taking a brief break from a long list of studio tasks to …

 

Linda Herzog Wildlife Fantasy

Linda Herzog Wildlife Fantasy

They were big and little creatures. Some were hairy with long, thin tails, and some had noses long as pokers. Some had bulging eyes and some had 20 toes. In they came — crashing through the door, sliding down the chimney, crawling through the windows. They shouted and cried. They banged pots and pans. They twirled their tails and tapped their toes upon the wooden floor. The Brothers Grimm

 

coloured binding

coloured binding

Australian Bookbinding has it’s annual showing at the AGNSW, ending tomorrow. Various designers playing with the idea of graphic enticements of the book covering variety. …

 

René Fumeron

René Fumeron

Currently admiring the work of René Fumeron, a French designer whose work with both Gobelin and Pinton Frères factory in Aubusson is a shining testament to the 50s and 60s.

 

Paris fleas

Paris fleas

Flea chairs are a tad difficult to carry on the metro, let alone back to a guest couch, so I sadly had to forego each purchase. I will go back with a car next time! and suffer the drive and the tunnel, since what I saw would make it all worth it.

 

Venetian French Rococco Chair

Venetian French Rococco Chair

It’s easy to look back at the past and think that all other eras knew their own minds and with purist zeal were able to create entirely new work, for and of the time, without reference to their predecessors. Not so at all, which is one reason why I love scouting around the decorative arts in museums so much. Perhaps they validate my penchant for re-appropriation. Influence, or inspiration?; magical words that treat us to new ideas and open an old way to a new frame of vision.

 

Frieze and the golden-seamed china

Frieze and the golden-seamed china

…I’m left with this gorgeous sculptural piece in the memory, joined with seams of gold; tactile and re-appropriated globules or cold, crackled china.

 

Louise Despont

Louise Despont

Her drawings are an amalgam of imagery from the bookplate to patchwork and archival draftsmanship.

 

London Frieze 2011

London Frieze 2011

“Thinking Sphere” hangs imposingly in mid air, high enough to have to bend double to reach underneath, but low enough that one has the urge to wrap one’s arms about the joyful circular structure.