1 November 2012

NOW OPEN: OWEN BULLETT 'FORCE FIELD' AND RUPERT ACKROYD 'INN, INN, INN'

We are delighted to announce the opening of our very special sculpture double bills. In two simultaneous solo exhibitions, sculptors Owen Bullett and Rupert Ackroyd are showing major bodies of brand new work with us. 

In the main gallery Owen Bullett's 'Force Field' comprises a series of highly elegant large-scale abstract works. These pieces, responses to events both mundane and momentous, give a sense of the impact of invisible forces on sculptural form and space. Ancient stone and modern steel, the rough and the refined, heaviness and weightlessness all feature in Bullett's material lexicon; he selects his materials and methods of construction with care and in recognition of their complex historical, cultural and physical associations. In 2010 Bullett debuted the momentous oak and steel work 'Portal' in our Project Space. We are delighted to welcome him back for his second show at Marsden Woo.

Meanwhile, our downstairs Project Space hosts Rupert Ackroyd's 'Inn, Inn, Inn' - a sculptural installation based on the material surfaces commonly found in the English Public House. Ackroyd explains that 'As the backdrop to the activities of the public house, these surfaces have evolved into the physical embodiment of the idea that is the pub.... specifically this exhibition focuses on how such traditions in pub decor have been reinterpreted and redeployed over time.' At the centre of the show is an oak beam partition. In combination with materials derived from wall treatments, this equates to the layered surfaces that are built up within pub interiors over time, and which form a composite collection of histories. 

Both shows run until 22 December.

Owen Bullett 'Divided Self II' (2012), photo © Philip Sayer, Marsden Woo Gallery
Photo © Rupert Ackroyd, 2012

20 October 2012

COLLABORATION BETWEEN TWO PROJECT SPACE ARTISTS

The Marsden Woo Project Space has given rise to a recent exciting collaboration between two previous exhibitors: Patrick Mifsud ('On Different Levels', Feb - Mar 2011) and Alida Sayer ('There is no why', Jun - Jul 2010)...

'Moments Hovered' (2012) from Alida Rosie Sayer on Vimeo.

'Moments Hovered' (2012) image © Alida Sayer/Patrick Mifsud



















A mutual intrigue in each other's creative practice led to 'Moments Hovered', a four day residency at Bermondsey Project Space during which Mifsud and Sayer employed a variety of basic materials including pallet wrapping film, tape and string, along with a couple of small digital projectors and an OHP, in order to investigate ways of spontaneously integrating site responsive immersive installation with text based animations.

In the resulting work, an excerpt from John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men slowly drifts from two facing projectors across a dynamic central installation of film and string. The resulting visual impression, almost holographic in appearance, is a multi-dimensional deconstruction of the animations into many planes of interweaving translucent typographic forms. Other unusual effects also arise as the projections are refracted through the clear plastic, which fills the space with gently pulsating hues of purple and green.


'Moments Hovered' (2012) image © Alida Sayer/Patrick Mifsud




















‘As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment. Then gradually time awakened again and moved sluggishly on.’
John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men (1937)

'Moments Hovered' at Bermondsey Project Space, London, 30 August - 2 September 2012

www.patrickmifsud.com / www.alidarosie.co.uk

A video of the project can be seen by following this link: http://vimeo.com/49906113

The project was also featured on the Frame magazine news blog! http://www.frameweb.com/news/movements-hovered-by-alida-rosie-sayer-and-patrick-mifsud


'Moments Hovered' (2012) image © Alida Sayer/Patrick Mifsud



9 October 2012

ALISON BRITTON: NEW EXHIBITION AT UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS

It has certainly been a busy couple of months for our Marsden Woo Gallery artists! 

After curating the 2009 exhibition 'Three By One' at the Crafts Study Centre, Alison Britton is returning to the University for the Creative Arts in Surrey for her 'Life and Still Life' exhibition. It runs from 16 October to 15 December 2012.

In this exhibition Britton will show a selection of objects from her own 'study collection' of other people's work - paintings, photographs, drawings, pots, tableware - as a framework for a group of her new pots, mainly in red clay, which she started to use after a residency at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Japan in 2010. These will be shown alongside some of her older work.

“Everyone has things, but artists do something else perhaps with the objects they own, in using them to think with”- Alison Britton

Please click here for further details about this eclectic and diverse show from one of the most important figures in British ceramics. 

Alison Britton 'Cave' © Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery



6 October 2012

SARA RADSTONE AT BATTLE OF IDEAS 2012

Sara Radstone, one of our Marsden Woo Gallery artists, will be taking part in this years Battle of Ideas at the Barbican.

She will be debating the topic 'No More Heroes? Art, Genius and Tradition' at Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road on October 16th as part of a Battle Satellite event and taking on the title 'Who is the Greatest Artist?' with a selection of other Balloonists on Saturday October 20th at the Barbican's Fountain Room.

These events both promise to be an exciting exchange of ideas. For further information please see the link below:

http://www.battleofideas.org.uk/index.php/2012/speaker_detail/5854

Sara Radstone © Philip Sayer, Marsden Woo Gallery London

3 October 2012

CAROL McNICOLL AND SAM SCOTT EXHIBITING IN THE LOBBY OF ONE CANADA SQUARE CANARY WHARF

Marsden Woo Gallery artist Carol McNicoll and associated artist Sam Scott are exhibiting a collaborative show in the Lobby of One Canada Square called 'Pieces Together', now on until 16 November. It promises to be an exciting and unusual show, as McNicoll's ceramics will be displayed not alongside Scott's furniture, but directly on his beautifully produced tables and desks.

Curator Ann Elliott will be giving a tour of the exhibition and talk with the artists on Tuesday 23 October. Tickets are free but contact Canary Wharf Public Art Office at visualart@canarywharf.com to reserve a place.

Please click here for a link to this exhibition. 

Carol McNicoll 'Freedom and Democracy' on Sam Scott's Side Board
© Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery



29 September 2012

SILO STUDIO INTERVIEWED IN DX-LONDON

Attua Aparicio and Oscar Wanless of Silo Studio have been featured in a fantastic interview on new design website DX-London.

In the article the innovative design duo explain their unusual design processes and the ideas behind their work.

http://dx-london.com/hand-made-high-tech-silo-studio/article/ 

Be sure to visit their current exhibition now showing at Marsden Woo and see their inspired and extraordinary objects for yourself!

Silo Studio 'Doric Light' (2012) photo © Philip Sayer
 

OPENING NEXT MONTH: NAO MATSUNAGA AT DAIWA FOUNDATION JAPAN HOUSE

Marsden Woo Gallery artist Nao Matsunaga's solo show 'My Primal Memory' will open at Daiwa Foundation Japan House on October 19th and runs until December 13th. 

In this exhibition he responds to his ideas and experiences of dual cultural and national identity, reflecting on his formative years growing up in Japan, and the latter part of his childhood in England:

'...as people, we haven't really changed at all over thousands of years, the way we interact, think and feel is still the same, even though the tools we use have changed.'

Please click the following link to find out more about this show: 
http://www.dajf.org.uk/exhibition/my-primal-memory-by-nao-matsunaga

Photo © Nao Matsunaga 

































Matsunaga's Marsden Woo Gallery show 'Stones and Bones' is currently showing in our main gallery space until October 27th.

22 September 2012

NAO MATSUNAGA AND SILO STUDIO NOW SHOWING AT MARSDEN WOO GALLERY


We have returned from our August break with a flourish and are currently showing work from exciting ceramic artist Nao Matsunaga in our main gallery space and exhibiting vibrant design duo Silo Studio in our Project Gallery.

Matsunaga works with dualities and contradictions that include his use of clay with wood, while Silo Studio create radical, functional and decorative domestic objects.

Both exhibitions will run until 27th October, be sure not to miss these captivating shows! Here are some wonderful installation photographs by Philip Sayer:

Nao Matsunaga, installation view (2012), photo © Philip Sayer


Nao Matsunaga, installation view (2012), photo © Philip Sayer

Nao Matsunaga, installation view with Bender or Misunderstood to foreground (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer
Silo Studio, Doric Light (2012), photo © Philip Sayer
Silo Studio, installation view (2012), photo © Philip Sayer

Silo Studio, installation view with Geode Lidded Vessel and Bangles (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

5 September 2012

JAMES EVANS 'AMBUGATION' REVIEW IN CERAMIC REVIEW

We were delighted to see such a fantastic review for James Evans' recent Marsden Woo Project Space show 'Ambugation' in the latest issue of Ceramic Review.

"It is a mark of a confident artist to be able to assimilate influences with authority and speak with an individual voice, and Evans' quietly evolving work certainly does this with confidence and maturity."                                                                                                       - Ceramic Review, Issue 257

The review is on page 26 and is by Robert Kesseler- visual artist and Professor of Ceramic Art and Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. 

James Evans 'Cleft' (2012) photo @ Philip Sayer

4 September 2012

UPCOMING SHOWS!

We are now back after our Summer break! 

Our next exhibitions will be the mixed media and ceramic sculpture of Nao Matsunaga's Stones and Bones in the upstairs gallery and the project space downstairs will feature the playful furniture of exciting design duo Silo Studio. 

Both shows open on September 13th, we look forward to seeing you!

Nao Matsunaga, works in progress, photo © Philip Sayer



Silo Studio, chain, image © Silo Studio





7 July 2012

TOM FOULSHAM AT DESIGN MIAMI/BASEL

Another Marsden Woo associated artist, Tom Foulsham (he had a solo show in our Project Space in early 2011), has been exhibiting a specially commissioned new body of interactive work titled 'Go Round' at  Design Miami/Basel. Foulsham was one of the three recipients of the W Hotels Designers of the Future Award 2012, each of whom were asked to respond to the brief 'From Spark to Finish'. Follow this link to see Wallpaper Magazine's short video in which Foulsham explains more about the work... http://www.wallpaper.com/video/design/w-hotels-designer-of-the-future-award-2012/1696462619001

Foulsham pictured with part of his installation at Design Miami/Basel
Photo © Design Miami/Basel

6 July 2012

OPENING NEXT WEEK: OWEN BULLETT AT CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN

Marsden Woo associated artist Owen Bullett will be exhibiting a new piece of work in the group show 'Pertaining to Things Natural...', curated by David Worthington, at Chelsea Physic Garden from 10 July to 31 October - a good warm up for our sculptural double bill later this year! For our final show in 2012, Bullett will take over the main gallery with his second solo show at Marsden Woo, whilst fellow sculptor and occasional collaborator Rupert Ackroyd tackles the Project Space.


Chelsea Physic Garden: http://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/index.html

At Marsden Woo: Owen Bullett (main gallery) and Rupert Ackroyd (project space), 1 November 2012 - 5 January 2013. Please follow this link to download our freshly updated 2012 - 2013 exhibition programme: http://www.marsdenwoo.com/docs/exhibition_programme_july_2012.pdf



3 July 2012

TWO GALLERY ARTISTS FEATURING IN THE UPCOMING JERWOOD OPEN EXHIBITION

Both Nao Matsunaga and James Rigler will feature in the Jerwood Makers Open exhibition which opens next week: specially commissioned work from emerging talent at the forefront of applied arts today. Each artist will be exhibiting major bodies of brand new work, which also forms an exciting precursor to both of their upcoming solo shows here at Marsden Woo over coming next year.
Jerwood Makers Open, 11 July - 26 August 2012 at Jerwood Space. 
http://www.jerwoodvisualarts.org/
Upcoming Marsden Woo shows; Nao Matsunaga 13 Sept - 27 Oct  2012, James Rigler 21 Mar - 4 May 2013.

James Rigler, 'Gothic Lantern' (2011) photo © Philip Sayer

Nao Matsunaga, 'Folklore (Landscape)' (2012) photo © Philip Sayer

30 June 2012

BRYAN ILLSLEY, CHRISTOPHER REID AND ALIDA SAYER: 'BAA' IS NOW OPEN

Our new Project Space show, an experimental collaboration between poet Christopher Reid, artist Bryan Illsley and visual designer and artist Alida Sayer, is now open and will run until 31 July. Here's a taster, with some brilliant installation shots by Philip Sayer...

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

Bryan Illsley, Christopher Reid, Alida sayer: 'Baa'. Photo © Philip Sayer

28 June 2012

KEN EASTMAN 'THE SHAPE OF THINGS' IS NOW OPEN

Ken Eastman's latest exhibition is now open in our main gallery, featuring a brand new series of sensitively colourful and richly textured sculptural ceramic vessels. Some wonderful photos by Philip Sayer, but be sure to visit before the 31 July to see the show in its full glory!

'The Shape of Things', installation shot (2012) 
photo © Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery

'The Shape of Things', installation shot (2012) 
photo © Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery

(centre) 'Give it Time', ceramic (2012), 42.5 x 37 x 28 cm
photo © Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery

(right) 'Minster', ceramic (2012), 35 x 34 x 21.5 cm
photo © Philip Sayer courtesy of Marsden Woo Gallery



30 May 2012

UPCOMING SHOWS... EXCITING STUFF

Our next set of shows will be opening soon. In the main gallery Ken Eastman will be showing a brand new series of dynamic and richly coloured ceramic vessels in 'The Shape of Things'. Meanwhile the Project Space will play host to the experimental project 'Baa' - based upon a collaboration between artist Bryan Illsley and poet Christopher Reid in the form of a small run artist's book, translated by visual designer and artist Alida Sayer into an immersive environment of still and changing text.

For more information please visit our exhibitions pages: www.marsdenwoo.com/exhibitions.htm

Or to view individual press releases (pdf)
Ken Eastman : http://www.marsdenwoo.com/docs/press_eastman_12.pdf
'Baa' : http://www.marsdenwoo.com/docs/press-baa-12.pdf



24 May 2012

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK 2012

Clerkenwell has been buzzing this week as visitors flock to the area for it's annual Design Week. The three days of exhibitions, talks and events have proven even more successful this year than last, perhaps due in part to the vastly improved weather (last year it RAINED every day). Today is the last chance to have a look around and take some of it in... including a trip to our gallery of course!

Clerkenwell Design Week 2012
Tuesday 22nd - Thursday 24th May
10am - 9pm daily
For more information go to http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/

Photo by Rachael Crabtree


17 May 2012

SHOWS NOW ON: CHUN LIAO AND JAMES EVANS TO 16 JUNE 2012

Some fantastic pictures by Philip Sayer here from our current shows; Chun Liao in the main gallery and James Evans 'Abugation' in the Project Space. Both shows feature substantial new bodies of work from the two ceramic artists. For Liao this comprises a series of incredibly elegant and vibrantly pigmented vessels shown both singly and as part of large intricate installations. Meanwhile, Evans wows with his bold biomorphic sculptures, which now integrate intriguing display stands and an array of metallic and richly layered surface finishes. Both shows continue to 16 June.


Chun Liao, 'For You' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

Chun Liao, installation shot (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

Chun Liao, 'White Vessel with Green II.' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

Chun Liao, 'Lament' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

James Evans, 'Abugation' installation shot (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

James Evans, 'Ironique' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

James Evans, 'Ambigaiety' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer

James Evans, 'Chrysós' (2012)
photo © Philip Sayer




3 May 2012

TORD BOONTJE'S NEW SHOP AND STUDIO NOW OPEN

The internationally acclaimed designer Tord Boonjte has a long-standing relationship with Marsden Woo Gallery. He has exhibited with us several times over the years, most recently with The Lacemaker (Jun-Jul 2010) which comprised a multitude of painstakingly crafted and highly experimental pieces. Most had been woven and bound by hand using natural materials such as bamboo and raffia, employing techniques based upon those of traditional lacemaking. The show's spectacular centrepiece was a black web-like woven sofa.


Well now some of the pieces that were featured in The Lacemaker have made a re-appearance, alongside an array of Boontje's other products, one-off and limited edition pieces and the man himself at his brand new shop and studio in Shoreditch, which opened it's doors last week. With this new venture he aims to bring the designs closer to the creative process that spawns them and playfully displays them for sale in his own unique way. In doing so he has created an exciting and wondrous environment that is well worth a visit!


Tord Boontje Shop
23 Charlotte Road
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3PB


www.tordboontje.com

Image © Annie Smith

Image © Annie Smith

Image © Annie Smith

Image © Annie Smith

Image © Annie Smith