Cut & Paste at The Estorick Collection

Cut & Paste: European Photomontage 1920 - 1945, curated by Lutz Becker is now showing at The Estorick Collection until 21 December.

Photomontage, the art of collaging together pieces of photographs with selected newsprint, emerged in the 1920's from Dadaists such as George Grosz and John Heartfield in Berlin and could also be seen in the work of Constructivist artists like El Lissitzky in Moscow. This new technique created illusions and manipulated the space on the page. It was dynamic and had a visual power that "spoke to the masses".

The exhibition is a homage to the manipulation of photographic imagery and modernist photomontage, "a rediscovery of the sources of modern image making, exploring the work of the great predecessors and innovators who created photomontages by physical means with scissors, scalpel and retouching brush".

The Estorick Collection is on Canonbury Square, London N1. It's open til 8pm on a Thursday, as is it's licensed Italian cafe, so there really is no excuse!

Mika Nash

Thanks to Mika Nash, a surface designer and illustrator based in London for contacting us about her new online shop and portfolio.

After graduating from Ravensbourne College with a degree in Fashion Textiles, Mika worked as a freelance screen-printer for Zandra Rhodes creating textiles for the ENO production of Aida and has exhibited at London Graduate Fashion Week twice; in collaboration with Ewa Dauter and printing for Gold award winner designer Jessica Au.

Mika's work is colourful, fun and bold, she has some great screen prints and t-shirts on her website, some of which are available to buy in her new shop.

Images copyright Mika Nash.

Brighton Art Fair: The Lowdown

I finally sorted through all the postcards I collected last night at the Brighton Art fair preview, so here are my personal favourites and a taste of what's on offer:

Retro, folk-art style screenprints and etchings by Ruth Green.


Beautifully, graphic photography by Peter Greenhalf.


Bold & colourful typographic paintings on perspex by Clay Sinclair.


Handblown multi-layered ovoid forms from Kathryn Wightman.


Limited edition paintings and screenprints by Ben Allen.


Wonderfully, abstract sculptures from Christine Fox.

All the work exhibited is for sale, many of the artists have smaller prints and unframed versions on their stands too, so there's something for everyone and for every budget.

All images are copyright to the artists.

Brighton Art Fair

Brighton Art Fair starts today. It's on until 7.30 today, 10-6 on Saturday and 10 - 5 on Sunday at the Corn Exchange, Church Street, Brighton.

I was lucky enough to have tickets to the preview last night so I can tell you there are some great pieces on display, although I was somewhat distracted by the free wine and cupcakes!

Info and pics from the preview to follow, I just need to sort through them...

Design Cities at The Design Museum

Suit, Paul Smith. Teapot, Christopher Dresser, 1879, photo V&A images. Lotus Arm Chair, Jasper Morrison, photo Studio

Design Cities is a new exhibition on at the Design Museum and running until 4 January 2009. It features some classic pieces of design from some of the world's most iconic designers; Charles & Ray Eames, Le Corbusier and Issey Miyake to name but a few.

Flickr and Don't Panic are partnering the Design Museum throughout the exhibition to bring us, 'Your Design City', an opportunity to share your city-themed photography and the chance of having your work featured in a Design Museum exhibition and made into an 80,000 specially-commissioned, Don't Panic Poster.

To enter the competition, upload your photograph to the Design Cities Flickr group before 1st December 2008.

Fish & Stitches at Castor & Pollux

Fish & Stitches is the new art collection by Brighton-based Cardigan, created exclusively for the Brighton Food & Drink Festival and based on everyone’s favourite seaside treat – fish & chips!

Cardigan Label is the brainchild of Kate Jenkins, set up in 2003 to, “fulfil her philosophy that anything can be created from yarn as long as it is made with love”. After making her name in the fashion industry designing for the likes of Donna Karan, Missoni and Marc Jacobs, Kate opened her shop, Cardigan, selling her unique, knitted creations - from keyrings to art.

The art collections are detailed, knitted versions of the nation’s best-loved foods, mounted in a box frame. They are colourful and wonderfully witty – a truly unique piece of art. To date there are 4 collections; Comfort Food, Soft Smokes, Cardigan in Bloom and the latest addition, Fish & Stitches.


Fish & Stitches is now running at Castor & Pollux, 164-66 King’s Road Arches on Brighton seafront until the 3 October.

Watch out for the Rob Ryan exhibition too, running at Castor & Pollux from 12 September to 20 October!

Photos of work copyright Cardigan.