After the taking of tea

Remember my visit to the Ambassador’s Office during London Craft Week, well today I’m sharing one of the exhibits, and it’s the most divine tea service. Made all the better I think for the way it was displayed - and what better way, than on a dining table?

The pieces are by Charlotte Hodes and they are hand cut enamel transfers on chinaware. What appeals to me is the pattern, how they’re different but clearly related. The informality of them, but the formality of tea - and the quotes around the edge.

The broken tea cup though admittedly has much less real use, but just look at how the design flows between the oblong plates below.

AT THE CENTRE OF AN UNCERTAIN AND POSSIBLY ILLUSIONARY UNIVERSE THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE TEA.

And can you imagine a world without tea? No, me neither. MOH declared this week that it’s too cold for water and has upped his already considerable and much appreciated tea making duties.

TEA TO THE ENGLISH IS REALLY A PICNIC INDOORS

And I love the quote on the piece above, do you think it is?

In the Ambassador's Office

A week or so ago I discovered that this week is London Craft Week and saw details of an exhibition taking place at the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence and both the exhibition and the venue appealed so I booked my ticket knowing that I had some time off from work. And so on Monday I headed up to Victoria and had a short walk in the sunshine amongst the gleaming white buildings (I know this - I forgot my sunglasses) towards Belgrave Square, and into a building I’ll probably never get to go into again.

This post is all about the art on display in the Ambassador’s office, which itself was pretty special. I’ll share another post or two on some of the other exhibits, all of which were stunning. It was great to see the modern makings alongside such a grand and often traditional setting, I’ve long been a believer that the two can mix and look great together.

The office itself was pretty special.

Like elsewhere in the exhibition there was contrasting artwork on display. These small ceramics by Cecilia Moore on the side table just inside the door caught my eye, mainly for their form and texture.

SEA LIFE, CECILIA MOORE

The pastel pink of these, and the shape and pattern were the attraction of these pieces by Frances Priest.

FRANCES PRIEST

There were several items of paper craft on show by Tracy Bush - it was the simplicity of these, and the use of everyday items that appealed here - and may just have nudged me to get out my die cutter the next day. I’m intrigued and fascinated by art from everyday items and believe each of us have something within us to do something special.

THE COLLECTOR, TRACY BUSH

TRACY BUSH

THE POSTMAN, TRACY BUSH

These rings by Jeremy May lodged within books were intriguing too. Classics within classics I’m sure.

JEREMY MAY

JEREMY MAY

The room stealer though was this piece by Jon Lewis - I know if it was on my desk I’d get very little work done.

ICARON & PHATEON, JON LEWIS

JON LEWIS

I continue to be in awe of art like these books by Batool Showghi who makes something very intricate look almost easy - I’m under no illusion that it is!

IMMIGRANT BOOKS, BATOOL SHOWGHI

BATOOL SHOWGHI

Nor, I’m sure is this piece by Thurle Wright. The beauty of these artworks is they look effortless, but I’m pretty sure that’s an illusion.

MARKING TIME, THURLE WRIGHT

There were so many more pieces - and I’ve many more photos to share too - it was just the solo trip out that I didn’t know I needed.

Views of where old meets new

I’ve recently shared some of the sculptures and green spaces from our wander around the City of London, and they already include some of my favourite spots and views, but today I have more to share. One of the things that continues to intrigue me is how the traditional buildings marry and sit happily alongside the more modern structures. And like anything, the more you look for it, the more you see.

Outside St Paul’s Cathedral there’s a series of these ‘heads’ on columns outside the modern facade of shops. I’m sure they keep an eye on everything that goes on, but I also suspect that many that walk past them don’t see them.

This ornate structure, adorned with bikes, is also opposite the cathedral. Its detail in contrast to the modern buildings which surround it. Over at Liverpool Street Station there’s a modern sculpture which sits alongside the traditional structure of the station building.

Walking further around the station we were able to get a look at more of the building work taking place, the platforms are underneath the canopied roof. Here the towering office blocks sit in the background dwarfing the usually busy train station.

Behind our vantage point was this cacophony of steelwork, which I’m sure with people up and down it brings rhythm, noise and life to where we stood.

As we headed into Leadenhall Market, again the office blocks and the cranes in the background on Bishopsgate. The shop fronts in the market look traditional, but look more closely and you’ll see one is Pizza Express.

But my favourite views of where old meets new is on Walbrook, where the Sir Christopher Wren St Stephen’s church sits proudly, next to Mansion House. On this visit we had time to head around behind the church and check out the view from the other side too.

It’s my absolute favourite view in the City, without doubt.