OUR KIND - Alice Hartley
At the End of 2016 we managed to grab a few precious minutes with Artist Alice Hartley to discuss the current importance of artists and her recent collab with fashion designer Sophie Cull-Candy.
At the End of 2016 we managed to grab a few precious minutes with Artist Alice Hartley to discuss the current importance of artists and her recent collab with fashion designer Sophie Cull-Candy. Tonight (12th January) marks the PV of her new group show at PI Artworks (55 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8EG) in London. The exhibition aptly names Strike Site runs until 25th February 2017 so make sure you go and check it out.
Please Leave -installing Pi Artworks Show.
Describe your discipline/ I’m an artist, mostly working 2 dimensional. I use a process called mono printing, it begun from impulsive and explosive drawing and painting which I adapted to screen printing. I do this kind of experimental and instinctive painting on an uncoated surface of a silk screen and then pull through with the squeegee once, leaving the final outcome of the print open to chance and the unknown. The work occupies the space between a painting and a print, each piece being completely unique.
I use a lot of text in my work, some of which I’ve written myself, some of which I have over heard or has been said to me; I then take it out of its context and put it by its self. The words are supposed to be fairly ambiguous and taken by the view as they like.
As well as my text pieces I make a fair amount of abstract work, I try and keep the mark as honest as possible by working quickly and instinctively, mono printing is a great way of producing this kind of work.
What is your ultimate inspiration? / Tricky one.. With my abstract work most of my inspiration comes from music, a lot of minimal and neo classical music, I like where it takes me, I can’t use words so I make the mark and go with it. It’s the pace, the breathe, the repetition, the pause..
I listen to a lot of Philip Glass, Dustin O’Halloran, Steve Rich, Aphex Twin, that kind of thing.. Music is definitely a huge part of my day-to-day practice.
Also recently I’ve been thinking a lot about where my art sits, what kind of environment I see it in. I’ve been looking at pictures of Cy Twombly’s apartment in Rome in the 60’s, there’s a dual between classical sculpture, beautiful ornate antiques and his bold unapologetic modern paintings that I’m completely obsessed with, there’s a beautiful balance between the ancient and historic next to his contemporary paintings, so many layers, very considered.
Sophie Cull Candy x Alice Hartley
Tell us about your recent collaboration with Sophie Cull Candy and what made you want to work together. / Sophie and I met through a mutual friend we both really liked what the other was doing, it was only a matter of time till we started talking about collaborating, it felt like it had to happen! I love her approach, he designs are bold and confident, its classic but with some risk which I love. She pretty much gave me free rein to print what I liked, we agreed on colour and some use of text and off I went. I think the collection turned out really well!
Photo Credit Sean Alexander Geraghty Model Kelsey Lu.
What do you think you have taken from the experience of working together?/ I’ve learnt a lot, how much work goes into making a collection, hats off to anybody creating their own brand, it’s a lot of work.
I think after seeing my work being adapted to a new form it has really opened my eyes to where my work could go. I loved seeing what Sophie created with it, she gave it a new energy and executed so well.
I’m definitely want to do more collaborations in the future, whether its fashion, design or fine art, I think my work can adapt to all these places.
What's next? Who would be your dream collaboration in the future?/ I’ve got some exhibitions coming up that I’m working on right now, one of which will be another big text piece, that opens at Pi Artworks London, in January.
And then some more coming up in spring. I’m also working on the next part of my collaboration with Sophie Cull Candy, we’re releasing some limited edition t-shirts and bags fairly soon so keep your eyes peeled!
Dream collab, hmmm maybe another band I love, I did the artwork for Slow Club’s new album earlier this year and that was a great project.
What is your mantra/ Your gut is correct.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I don’t wear a lot of jewellery, just simple pieces, I’ll wear silver or gold hoops and my ‘A’ Facett initial necklace by Myia Bonner that close friend gave to me. I rarely wear bracelets and rings because of work but I love hoops, I’ve got an eye on the Eclipse Hoop earrings from Kind Collection, stunning!
Where is your favourite spot for a drink and a dance/ The Royal Oak on Columbia road, east london is a local of mine, I love it there, proper pub! I don’t go out dancing as much I used to but this year some friends of mine have been running this wicked night called Residency that takes place in the loft at L’Escargot on Greek Street, lots of disco, house and soul with a beautiful and extravagant décor and a great crowd.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ Its has to be in the light of the recent US election, I read this quote from American novelist Toni Morrison, and it was exactly what my gut said as soon as I heard the news.
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for salience, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language that is how civilization heals.”
We need artist more than ever right now, as soon as I heard the news I got up and went straight to the studio.
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/ I’ve had this EP by a friend of mine on repeat, it’s called Black Bunny by Theo Alexander. It’s great music to work to, I really like where it takes me, very delicate but powerful at the same time.
I also tend to make a playlist when I begin a project to set the pace and the mood. Listen to a favourite from the end of 2016 here >>
OUR KIND - Cake of Dreams
Before our European wanders we were lucky enough to catch up with cake extraordinaire and all time mega babe Francesca McConchie, Queen of the kitchen & founder of Cake of Dreams.
Before our European wanders we were lucky enough to catch up with cake extraordinaire and all time mega babe Francesca McConchie, Queen of the kitchen & founder of Cake of Dreams. Believeing there is nothing sadder than a souless, tasteless cake she set to create towering, cherry topped, creamy, dreamy creations that exist in your childhood imaginations. And she does it time and time again with more glitter cherries, dripping caramel, budding blooms and piped icing than you could ever have thought existed. So here's to gorging ourselves on cake and cream this winter..... and as if made of magic her creations taste just as wonderous as you would expect!
Give us the low down on 'Cake of Dreams'/ I initially started making cakes for friends because there seemed to be a real gap in the market for cakes that looked and tasted as wonderful as I felt they should. I love birthdays and celebrations and felt like that magical childhood birthday cake element was often missing, replaced by gross supermarket sponges or a restaurant pudding with a candle in. I wanted cakes that looked like they came straight from childhood fantasies, the kind of thing you would see in a book illustration as a kid and almost taste.
What is your background and how did you get here?/ I have always loved to cook, to bake, to host, to party. I spent my 20s in extremely dull desk jobs agonising over the fact that I had no idea what I wanted to do, or be. I just knew I wanted to do something creative, and something that would make people happier. I really fell into doing cakes by accident - I was doing them for fun/as a creative outlet for friends’ birthdays and as I got better/made more people who attended the parties started to enquire about commissioning them. Once I had two kids I realised I could make as much from doing just a few cakes as I could working my dull desk job and paying for childcare, so I took a leap of faith and the orders came flooding in straight away. Looking back it’s funny that this job totally reflects what I wanted out of a career all along.
What is your ultimate inspiration?/ My amazing troupe of creative, supportive friends who do such an array of incredible things, and absolutely keep me going. My grandmothers for instilling a love of baking and sharing love through food. My childhood adventures across America. My children for their generosity, enthusiasm, wonder and magical imaginations. And always always music, Bowie can cure any inspiration drought.
What is your mantra?/ Be brave. Be kind. Stay up late!
What piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ My wedding ring made for me by one of my all time best friends Christopher Thompson Royds, who fortunately for me makes the most gorgeous jewellery.
What is the most thought provoking thing that you saw/heard/read in the last week?/ y son wrote a letter to Theresa May asking her to let the refugee children of Calais jungle come to England. - see it here >>
They know about what is going on as we have been to a couple of the marches in London. It’s so amazing to see how baffled children are by this, they immediately just want to help and for people to be happy and safe. My four year old daughter immediately said “I know, let’s take some - no, almost all - of our food at home, and put it in a box, and send it to them. And then they won’t be hungry anymore.” We go on about teaching children to share but it comes naturally to them. Getting older makes us greedy!
What Songs do you have on repeat at the moment?/
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Rings of Saturn - Listen here >>
Kishi Bashi - Carry on Phenomenon - Listen here >>
Gabriel Bruce - Come All Sufferers - Listen here >>
To Commission a wonderland cake of your own check our the Cake of Dreams Website and for daily cake wonderfulness filling your instagram feed follow her account @cakesofdreams
OUR KIND - BEDSPREAD ZINE
This Thursday 15th September marks the launch of the inspiring Bedspread Zine publication at Doomed Gallery, Dalston. Creator Jennifer Lo chats to us about beds, awkward cats & believing in your self....
Describe Bedspread Zine / Bedspread is a new photography publication dedicated to the theme of beds. It explores the beauty behind the memories, ideologies and intimacies attached to beds and celebrates works by artists and photographers from across the world.
'Whether done as an act of consolation, joy or just simply an appreciation of a good-looking bed, an image of a bed can create a profound attachment to the memories and significance it holds.'
What is your ultimate inspiration/ Francoise Hardy >>
What is your mantra/ Have faith in what you do...
Describe your working environment/ A makeshift desk facing two large windows
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I always wear my rings and gold bracelet because they remind me of my family and a good friend, whom I bought them with.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ The news is so sad these days...can I show you an awkward photo I took of a friend's cat?
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/ This is always on my playlist - Arthur Russell - Arm Around You >>
Check out BEDSPREAD ZINE - www.bedspreadzine.co.uk & Follow them @bedspreadzine
BEDSPREADZINE LAUNCH PARTY - 6PM THURSDAY 15th SEPT - DOOMED GALLERY DALSTON.
KIND x HANNA KASTL-LUNGBERG
KIND tracked down mega babe and graphic super star in the making Hanna Kastl-Lungberg this week... She talks us through her colour ethos, stolen time & Beiber Fever. Her instagram feed @hanna.k.l is a must follow and her graphic palm prints are available to buy in a multitude of products from Society6 ...so you can go wild!
What is your background & how did you get here?/ I've been studying design for about four years now. Just general design without any specific focus. In early 2015 I realised I'm into graphic's and a few months later I started making graphic art which quickly got more popular than I could imagine. I started my own business earlier this year and I'm freelancing as a graphic designer and visual artist at the same time as I'm finishing my last year as a student to get a bachelor degree in fine arts.
Describe your design aesthetic?/ It's very colorful and I often find that my work looks like candy! I would say one part of my expression is very childish but when it comes to layout I turn to a more minimal approach. I also really enjoy making prints with plants, which is basically what I do the most.
Describe your colour ethos/ Color makes me so so happy, so I surround myself with it as much as I can!
What is your ultimate inspiration/ The art deco district in Miami looks like an inspo dream! I also wish I could go back to late 80s/early 90s and spend some time in California! That time and place would be so perfect and I'd be inspired enough to last a life time! Everything about that era inspires me for example all the endlessly amazing patterns! I'm really influenced by colorful houses and plants that I can only have inside but are normal outside vegetation in other places.
What is your mantra/ Act cool!
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I love minimal earrings. I have 6 ear piercings and I love to fill them with different small pieces.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ I've been feeling a lot recently that my time has been stolen. So I've been thinking about about how I never want to be the reason that someone else would feel the same way.
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/Justin Bieber is coming to Sweden soon and I'm going (I'm a huge fan and I'm super excited!!!) so I'm just listening to all of his songs over and over and over again right now. This one specifically is often on repeat at the moment >>
OUR KIND - COPPER & SOLDER
We have been lusting over COPPER & SOLDER's instagram feed for months and this week we were lucky enough to have a chit chat with them about how it all started!!! Their Marbled concrete and copper creations are to die for and they are also offering OUR KIND readers and KIND Followers 15% off their stunning collection until 30th September 2016!!! To redeem go to www.copperandsolder.com and enter code OURKIND at the checkout.
Describe your background and discipline/ I studied textiles design at university, specialising in printed fashion. It's always been my passion, but i've not yet had a career from it. It's not completely off the cards, I'd love to delve back into it - potentially in the future for Copper & Solder. I worked for a lifestyle brand straight from university, which unfortunately closed, making me redundant. This is when Copper & Solder was born.
How did COPPER & SOLDER come to be?/ Dad made us a copper table when we were living in London. It was only till I got made redundant shortly after, that I started crafting copper products myself, alone, creating a name for the brand and opening an online shop.
What is your ultimate inspiration/ My sister! We totally get each other, so it's really great to have her involved with Copper & Solder.
What is your mantra/ Good quality coffee. Always.
Describe your working environment/ I work in two very different environments; outside where It gets very industrial, this is where I do the soldering, polishing and mixing concrete. I then have a more relaxing space where I like to fill my desk with inspirational things. I do all of the research, corking, packing + online bits here.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I have 3 pieces of jewellery that I really couldn't live without! My Alex Monroe bumble bee necklace, a ring I made at a workshop by The Work Bench + a beautiful ring I got from sister when she asked me to be her bridesmaid.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ Last week we went camping in our little bell tent for the 5th time running. Eweleaze Farm is a working farm and open for one month of the year with the most amazing views of the jurassic coast in Dorset. We had camp fires every evening, we saw shooting stars, we watched families having a whale of a time and also fished for our dinner. It's a place where you can completely zone out, allowing you to reflect and think about what is really important in life.
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/
MØ album - New Years Eve in particular >>
OUR KIND - HEJIRA
This week we tracked down Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne, one part of 'undefinable' band Hejira. Their new EP 'Name Surname' was released on Elgo Records in April and we have had the euphoric sound on repeat ever since. We talk friendship, unity & Einstein...
Describe your Sound/ Mostly our music is like an Idiosyncratic Dreamscape so we tend to struggle to place it in any specific genre. I guess thats because we've taken on many mixed guises over the years as we have many different influences from jazz, hip hop, classical, rock and RnB. If you find a way to describe our music, let me know ;-?. Listen here >
What is your ultimate inspiration/ My band mates Sam Beste and Alex Reeve of Hejira, I love them! They inspire me in every aspect of life and art so yeah I would say the hejira boys are my ultimate inspiration. I am so lucky to have a group of friends that I can talk to for hours about music, art, literature and our life experiences and the fact that this extends to making music at the end of it all is just an added bonus, so yeah we share so much and ultimately they inspire me.
What is your mantra/ We. are. all. one.
Describe your working environment/ I split my time in many different work spaces but The Arboretum - otherwise known as the hejira studio is one of my fave spots. It's in an unsuspected old warehouse in south london. It's small and modest and has a lot of natural light, beautiful plants, tape machines and a really old but gorgeous piano. We've made this space our own little creative box to retreat to and I love coming together with hejira to write and record in there.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ My rings. The one of my fourth finger I picked out at a music festival last year, from a tribe of Bedouins from Mali. The tribes-man who sold it too me had the best authentic headpiece and outfit on and the selection of jewellery was incredibly beautiful. Once I picked out the ring he even offered to adjust the size so that it would fit by bashing it with some tools whilst holding it in-between his feet. (quite extraordinary but bizarre). The other ring on my index finger, my boyfriend saw that I liked it when we were in an antiques shop and he brought it for me as a surprise gift a week later. I wear very little jewellery day to day but if ever i forget my rings my fingers feel naked! I love collecting vintage silver jewellery from Ethiopia, the styles are so unique and yet to be discovered by jewellery lovers here.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ I was trolling on Youtube as you do and ended up listening to one of those Tiny desk NPR live sessions and this young american Jazz musician Christian Scott was playing with his band (I think you'll appreciate his jewellery bling game actually). They totally blew my mind! Half way through his set he starts talking about a difficult experience he had being pulled over by some cops and confronted with racist and physical abuse. He talks about how he channeled his anger and frustration into one of his compositions and then they play it and I was moved. Music is so powerful, I love when art can poke and provoke. It meant a lot for me to see these young black kids playing their hearts out and owning what they do For me this is something that needs to be seen and shared it's so empowering and inspiring and the way Christian articulated his music really connected with me so yeah, I DIG THIS. Watch here >
Second thing was during my morning guided meditation. 5 mins in, the teacher quoted Einstein
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is.”
I think this quote quantifies how I've wanted to look at the world from a very young age so having someone articulate it so beautifully was like a breath of fresh air, a wonderful reminder before you kick start your day. I find it very challenging to meditate but of late I have committed to it every morning for about 3 months. It's been an incredible tool for me, sometimes it sucks, sometimes it rocks, much like life!
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/
PJ harvey - Let England Shake (The whole A side is on repeat on my record player)
CREDITS: Photography: Packard Stevens / Art Direction: Cleo Loxaire / Styling: Leah Jennings / Hair & Make Up: Rebekah Lidstone
Check Hejira out > www.hejira.info / instagram: @hejira_info
OUR KIND - J C CAMPBELL
We have serious imagination envy when it comes to Jennifer C Campbell and her sculptural paintings. KIND caught up with the artist this week to talk about her work and influences. This weekend is your last chance to see Jenny's work exhibited in 'Miami Vice' at Transition Gallery (near Broadway Market). Open Friday 29th July and Saturday 30th July 12-6pm.
Describe your discipline/ My paintings are slithers of substance. Their crude structures provide a resistance to gravity. The works remain flat but physical and the exterior world infiltrates their territory. They use colour to prevent themselves from spilling into dispersion. As a group they map a restless persona, showing off and shape shifting.
What is your ultimate inspiration/ Drawing is always the starting point. To draw a thing is to absorb it and own it. The task is endless, like shopping. Each time i draw an object, i make a temporary bridge, between my self and my landscape. My paintings are drawings that have been bulked out. Paint is like stage make-up. Paint is gaudy icing on a bland cake.
What is your mantra/ Colour and line, colour and line, colour and line, redefine.
Describe your working environment/ I have all my drawings pinned up on the wall, so that i can keep my eye on them. And then one drawing finds its moment to jump out at me, it is temporarily THE ONE, the starting point for a transformation into a more physical and painterly existence. I have an array of materials to hand, as well as paints of difference colours and textures, mixed and stored in jam jars.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I found a plastic tube bracelet in the park last week, it has rainbow fluid and glitter inside of it, it is my current gem of choice.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ I am currently reading 'The Edible Woman' By Margaret Atwood, it is excellent.
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/ I have been humming invented tunes, made up of fragments of well known pop songs, whilst cycling around London.
Website : www.jennifercarolinecampbell.co.uk I Instagram : @jennifer_caroline_campbell