Emily Lang II

 A second post about Emily Lang's work in the ECA Illustration degree show. 

"Everything in the show was inspired by the textiles worn by the fishing communities in East Lothian and Fife. 

Dreg songs were sung by the fishermen as they dredged for oysters to keep time as they worked. The knitting patterns are based on patterns used for the gansey jumpers worn by the fishermen and the pale yellow patterns were inspired by the outfits worn by the fishwives, so the prints are meant to represent a collaboration between the men and women. 

I drew the knitting patterns in a circle because the jumpers were knitted in the round and the female patterns are rectangle shaped to represent the skirts. I used dreg song lyrics to title the prints because I wanted to get across the repetition and rhythm of the work which was emulated in the repetitive patterns in the textiles." Emily Lang 

Emily Lang I

Fisherman's Iron by Emily Lang is a beautiful collection of illustrated knitting the patterns and stitches beautifully woven together across the pages of her hand printed and bound book. Emily's work is rooted in history, tradition and storytelling. As I viewed her show, by her seat was a half made wool sock, so this tiny corner of the ECA degree show had it's own story and glimmer of the creator of this detailed work. 

Sorcha Fitzgerald II

Some more wonderful monoprints by Sorcha Fitzgerald graduating in Illustration from ECA.

Sorcha Fitzgerald I

Sorcha Fitzgerald's degree show was almost completely monotype, drawn through from the back of the paper. Because she had focused on this media it held the show together as one very strong collection. Two of Sorcha's pieces were amazing memory boxes with many monoprints wonderfully drawn and displayed. I am really hoping to be able to return before the show finishes on Sunday.

Charlotte Nash

Resembling sea slugs, coral, or strange party balloons, these are the works of Charlotte Nash who's final degree show in Sculpture at ECA was bizarre and wonderful. The oddest shapes and textures created by pumping expanding foam through patterned tights. 

Cameron Orr

"My work is primarily concerned with notions of mystery and the unknown. Through working as intuitively as possible in various mediums, I navigate paranormal ideologies and metaphysical theories in a process which is far more of an exploration than it is an investigation. I am fascinated by the concept of incomprehension and so choose to engage purposefully in subjects to which we have no answers. Themes such as mysticism, the paranormal, metaphysics, dualism, folklore, the altered"                              
Cameron Orr has just graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone in fine art, though it is sculptural and illustrational, like so many artists he moves fluently across genres. 

Morteza Zahedi VI

I don't think I have six posts about anyone on this blog, but the illustrations of Morteza Zahedi continue to enchant and surprise. This morning I found Morteza's Facebook illustration page will new illustrations that I had not seen before and so I am sharing some of this wonderful work with you here.

Cathy Miles II

Cathy Miles is a Birmingham based artist who sculpts (draws) with wire and found objects, often in her work she focuses on birds and these are some of her characterful pigeons. Her work is currently on display at the as part of the MADE showcase at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park until the 31st May.

Rachel Howard

A beautiful crying button today by textile artist Rachel Howard who's wonderful loose doodley style is fresh, fun and lively. 

Wize Kids Say

With paper mache sculptures and art direction by Yuliya Sobotyuk, photography by Olya Oleinic and text by Sam Gwilym, 'Wize Kids Say' is a wonderful project that brings to life the strange things that children say, that can be so spot on. 

It is an ongoing project and if you have gathered a little bit of wisdom from a child you can submit it here.

Glasgow School of Art

In a week when much of Scotland was abuzz with the new Reid Building for Glasgow School of Art designed by Steven Holl, having watched the fantastic documentary. Plus preparing ourselves for the upcoming annual showcase of talent at the degree show. It was with horror and disbelief that Scotland and much of the world watched as the iconic Rennie Mackintosh building was engulfed by flames. 
The damage was limited by very the rapid response and efforts of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crew and is said to not be as bad as first anticipated.
I cannot imagine how it must have felt to have witnessed this horrific event.
Many would say it is only a building, but when a building is so iconic of a city and a creative vision, it is more than 'a building' it is a history, a culture, a dream and place that has a strong pull on many of our hearts. 
May it rise from the flames like a phoenix as quickly as possible. 

Rosa Howie

A favourite of mine from this years Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Degree show was the work of textile designer Rosa Howie. Rosa's sketchbooks were just wonderful a rich aquarium of lovely fish rendered in many different ways and media. Above are some works from her sketchbooks and below the finished textiles embellished with wonderful metallic print and embroidered eyes and fins.

Elizabeth and Gerald Rose III

I added to my collection of Gerald Rose and yesterday received a 1958 copy of 'How St Francis Tamed The Wolf'. So happy to have another book by this wonderful partnership. Gerald Rose's illustrations continue to be among my favorites and I love it when I get the opportunity to see more of his wonderful work. 

Lily Morris II

More nostalgia and magic in ceramic from Lily Morris who has just graduated in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.

Lily Morris I

Tattooed and hairy, here is Lily Morris's 'family narratives' where she has mixed up familiar objects and memories.
"The tea set emulates the one of my mothers childhood, yet the tattooed surface is representative of my grandparents skin; the teapot being my grandfather Woody and the tea cups my nana." Lily Morris

Molly McEwan and her blinking eyes.

Yesterday I managed to get to the Dundee School of Art's degree show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.
Dundee is the first of the Scottish colleges to show every year, I still don't understand why these shows are only displayed for a week, there is so much to see and so much work has gone into producing them I wish they were exhibited for longer. This years showcase was very irreverent much of the work showed the influenced of zines and artists like David Shrigley. 

Blinking Eyes is a piece by Molly McEwan and is made from ceramics, modrock and electrical components. Molly had at one time had all of the eyes blinking but decided to just have one steadily blinking at the viewer. I really liked it's surreal fun, but now I know all the eyes blinked, I would like to have seen them all in action.