SAVWO
© SAVWO
While I applaud anything that demystifies the process of buying and appreciating art - and by the latter I mean a personal, gut reaction as opposed to reams of theory or an art history degree - the Buy Art Fair that set up shop in Manchester City Centre this week isn't the only means of identifying artists worthy of support. While the local press were devoting more (unnecessary) column inches to the inclusion of paintings by Vic Reeves at the expense of 216 other exhibitors, I was snapping up a bargain by local artist John Powell-Jones (Savage Wolf/SAVWO), one of the many residents at Hotbed Press print studio in Salford on the edge of our Siamese-twin cities.
A Place Called Common
His wolf woodcutter print had been hanging in Common bar in the Northern Quarter for the past few months as part of a group exhibition, a great spot for informal display allowing folk like myself to familiarise ourselves with new artists, spend a few hours in the company of a print, drunkenly argue for/against our favourites and make repeat visits without being made to feel unworthy or worse, unwelcome... I'm talking about you, Richard Goodall Gallery. And so after much umming and ahhing, I snapped up the last in a run of 10 four-colour screenprints for £120, framed. Granted, we're not talking Saatchi levels of philanthropy, but I'm delighted to share my workspace with this brooding, figurative shapeshifter as I wander through a forest of my own imagining.
Bubbletastic
image: Rachel McHaffie
Review and picture gallery now up from Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema presents My Beautiful Laundrette. An added bonus was the left-over tequilla, Blue Curacao and vodka. Hic! Limited edition screenprints by poster artist Simon Misra, signed, with an extra signature now on the reverse from actor Gordon Warnecke (who plays Omar in the film) are still available at only £10 plus £2.50 p+p. I'll also throw in a scratch card or two for you to recreate the experience at home!
Soap gets in my eyes
Image: Rachel McHaffie
A couple of pics from last Saturday's Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema presents My Beautiful Laundrette at Hub Gallery and Innovation Space, Salford as part of Hazard MMX. More to follow. I didn't think I'd bother shaving hence looking like a member of The Ant Hill Mob from Penelope Pitstop. Or maybe I look more like Penelope in that shirt. My eyes are closed because they are spattered with detergent from the bubble machine over my shoulder. The things we do in the name of creative play! If you came along, thank you so much. Without an audience I am nothing. All in the right context of course, I mean, I don't want you following me into the bathroom.
Image: Rachel McHaffie
Digital and Creative Futures: online footage
Steve Furber from Vision+Media on Vimeo.
Footage is now available to view online from the recent Digital and Creative Futures event, which I produced on behalf of FutureEverything in partnership with Vision + Media, including the full keynote from Professor Steve Furber. ICL Professor of Engineering at the School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, he was recently shortlisted as one of only three 2010 Millennium Technology Prize Laureates for his role as the principle designer of the now ubiquitous ARM 32-bit RSC microprocessor. Also available to view at present with further footage due shortly is Kid Carpet's kiddy punk set, complete with a supporting cast of moulded plastic assistants and a rather tipsy policewoman.
Hazard MMX
On Saturday 17th July outbreaks of hazardous behaviour will once again be unleashed upon Manchester City Centre and live guerilla art returned to the streets for the third hit-and-run. Cheeky, thought-provoking and sometimes raunchy sprees of eccentricity, look for a flash of yellow and black which should just be enough to give the game away... appearing alongside my own Scratch 'n Sniff pop-up cinema will be Eggs Collective (The March of 100 Dorothys), Alex Bradley (All the demos I've ever been on), Astrid Breel (The Dating Game), Jordan McKenzie (Monsieur Finds Himself Up Queer Street), The Muffia (Ask the question), Clare Charnley (Splat), Hannah Wiles (Beeline), Larkin' About (Various) and many more. See you there. Now scatter! Full programme.
Washday screenprint
Simon Misra screenprint: limited edition of 50
A new limited edition screenprint from Simon Misra for my forthcoming event Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema presents My Beautiful Laundrette is now available at the frankly astonishing price of just £10. That's right! Around the same as three-and-a-bit beers! And when they're gone, they're gone. For those attending on the evening of Friday 16th July, actor Gordon Warnecke will be attending in person to sign copies, but if anyone wants to reserve one in advance just get in contact via the tab at the top of this page. Have you got your free ticket yet? Friday is almost fully booked, with Saturday heading the same way once the press coverage kicks in. Hope to see you there.