You Get Me - Exhibition at Autograph ABP

5 MAY - 1 JULY 2017

RIVINGTON PLACE, SHOREDITCH, EC2A 3BA

By  Leigh Richards

Last week I headed down to Autograph ABP in Shoreditch for Mahtab Hussain's You Get Me exhibition which explores the identity among young working class British Asian men in the UK.

The exhibition addresses the contested political terrain of race and representation, respect and cultural difference.

The men portrayed expressed that they felt culturally ridiculed by the constant flow of derogatory media representation of their lives.

The portraits examine how the weight of masculinity impacts the subject’s sense of self, as they navigate the complex identity formations historically placed upon them.

The series was photographed over a nine-year period in Birmingham. Hussain would stop individuals in the street, starting conversations as he took their portrait. The project was later expanded to London and Nottingham.

Autograph ABP, Rivington Place (off Rivington Street), London EC2A 3BA

The exhibition is on until 1 July 2017. Tel 020 7749 1240.

Exhibition opening times

Tues, Wed, Fri 11am – 6pm
Thurs 11am – 9pm,
Sat 12 – 6pm
The gallery is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays.

Framing a set of Henri Matisse Lithographs

You can imagine my delight when asked to frame a set of rare Limited Edition Matisse fine art lithograph’s for Richard, a collector from Sundridge Park, Bromley.

Richard had recently visited London’s Tate Modern to see, Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs exhibition and was so enamoured by the work that he set about making a purchase.

Not satisfied with the custom print selection offered by the Tate, he sought something more exclusive. Much to my delight he came across Mourlot, one of the greatest lithographer’s of our time and who was commissioned by Matisse to print his work. Mourlot also printed work by Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Miro, Braque, Dubuffet, Léger and Giacometti.

Of the four works Richard brought in, two were colour posters published in 1965 by Mourlot on behalf of the General Commission of Tourism to promote the French Riviera. The image shown above is a reproduction of the original 1950 gouache and paper découpe “La Danseuse Créolé” by Matisse.

The prints were of a very high standard on museum quality paper and came perfectly packed, so we carefully spread them out on my work bench so Richard and I could discuss his framing requirements.

Naturally no expense was spared, Richard opting for conservation glass and materials throughout. He was extremely pleased when seeing the finished frames on collection and was heading straight  home to hang them up.

If you have artwork to frame, contact Clem on 07802 486 191 or email alxgallery@aol.com.

The 2Inspire Network, Celebrating the Creativity of Women Saturday 9 March 2013

Alexandra Galleries will be exhibiting at Celebrating the Creativity of Women, the popular 2Inspire Ladies Day event taking place on Saturday 9th March 2013 at the Crowne Plaza, Docklands.

 

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, Celebrating the Creativity of Women is a free event to showcase budding and established female entrepreneurs, focusing on the creative sector.

 

There will also be entertainment and a number of workshops to meet the lifestyle, personal and business development needs of attendees. Workshop topics will cover health, education, personal development, business start-up, media and styling.

Celebrating the Creativity of Women offers a platform that promotes and celebrates the creative talent of women.  It provides an arena that will empower and support women in creating a crystal clear vision for both the personal and professional aspects of their lives.

The 2inspire network was launched in May of 2012 with the aim of empowering individuals and helping them to realise their potential. “I believe that women should work together and support each other on their journey. This belief is the foundation of the network, an organisation that provides forums and platforms that help to empower, promote and inspire women”, says Founder Hazel Chawapiwa.

The network held its successful inaugural Ladies Day event in August of 2012, with over 200 delegates in attendance. “The aim is to make this 2^nd Ladies day an even bigger and better event, a real celebration of women. We believe all women are creative in their everyday lives as home makers, mothers, employees and entrepreneurs and we want to showcase and celebrate this on the day.” Hazel anticipates 500 delegates at the March ladies day.

The event will also mark the official launch of the 2Inspire Network’s Academy; a personal development and life-skills programme for young people aged 16-21. The academy is a partnership with Radical Leap Success Network founder and Success Coach, Noreen Mak’Osewe. “We formed the academy to help young people focus on what's important for them now and in the future, to learn the mindset and life-skills for success, and to help them set and achieve personal targets. At this 2Inspire Ladies Day we aim to raise awareness, raise funds and kick-start our recruitment drive for the academy.”- Noreen Mak’Osewe. 2inspire Network, Celebrating the Creativity of Women, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Docklands, Royal Victoria Dock, Western Gateway E16 1AL, Saturday 9 March 2013 11.00am - 6.00pm.



Peter Clarke: Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats

Exhibition

16 January – 9 March 2013

This week Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) in partnership with the South African National Gallery (Iziko Museums of South Africa) opened its major retrospective and first substantial exhibition in the UK of the internationally acclaimed artist, Peter Clarke.

 

Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats honours Clarke’s life, work and contribution to art over sixty years and tells the story of an artist who is part of a lost generation, a voice that has been largely unheard in Europe.

One of the most accomplished and versatile visual South African artists, Peter Clarke was born in 1929. In his early twenties he declared that he would make his living as an artist, which was a highly unusual ambition for a young black South African at the time.

 

Over the last sixty years, Clarke has reflected on his country’s social and political history and is often referred to as the ‘quiet chronicler’. His work constitutes a subtle critique of apartheid and its social consequences as well as more recently, aspects of the ‘new’ South Africa.

Although largely self-taught, Clarke was encouraged by taking informal art classes and studying European masters that he saw reproduced in books - including Picasso, and the South African modernist Gerard Sekoto (the first black artist to be represented in a South African public collection). Witty, sharp, poignant, aesthetically memorable, Clarke’s work provides an extraordinary context for discussion of his country as it prepares to celebrate 20 years since the momentous elections that brought Nelson Mandela to President.

 

Peter Clarke’s art is about people and in his reflection of humanity and in the contribution he has made to his country’s cultural development, he has become an inspiration to many other artists.

 

Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats charts his development as an artist, his prolific creativity as a painter, printmaker and an internationally acclaimed writer and poet through over 80 works including paintings, drawings, prints, woodcuts, collages, sketchbooks as well as artist books.

Describing why it is important to show Peter Clarke’s art in London, Tessa Jackson, Chief Executive of Iniva and co-curator of Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats said, ‘Peter Clarke combines his belonging to Africa with an understanding of Western art history; this makes his work memorable in both subject matter and aesthetics.’

Wind Blowing on the Cape Flats is curated by Tessa Jackson and Riason Naidoo, Director: Art Collections (South African National Gallery & Old Town House), Iziko Museums of South Africa.

The exhibition continues Iniva’s work to promote culturally diverse artists, curators, writers and thinkers ignored by mainstream institutions. A series of related events are programmed as part of this exhibition including Hans Ulrich Obrist in conversation with Peter Clarke and free guided exhibition tours. Full details can be found on www.iniva.org. Iniva Rivington Place London EC2A 3BA Tel: +44 (0)20 7729 9616.

Afridiziak Gifts and Occasions Winter Fair 2012

Alexandra Galleries will be exhibiting at the Afridiziak Gifts and Occasions Winter Fair at The Drum Art Centre in Birmingham on Saturday 1 December 2012.

Since 2010, Afridiziak Gifts and Occasions shopping events have attracted quality exhibitors showcasing the finest selection of merchandise including children’s toys; books; hair/beauty products; jewellery/accessories; art, greeting cards; clothing for men, children and women; and seasonal food and drink. Many of the items on sale have been naturally/organically produced and handmade.

Now in its third year, the organisers of Afridiziak Gifts and Occasions will be holding its first Birmingham fair at the popular Drum Art Centre. This unique shopping event brings together independent retailers and entrepreneurs selling culturally inspired gifts you won't find on the shelves of local high street shops or department stores and gives shoppers the opportunity to pick up inspiring gifts which ooze creativity.

This year the organisers have chosen the Sickle Cell Society as its official charity and we will be donating a third of proceeds taken on the door from this event, and at the London event the following weekend, to the charity Kalpna Patel, Sickle Cell Society.

The Afridiziak Gifts and Occasions annual Winter Fairs are a chance to treat yourself and pick up something special for your loved ones too.

• The first 50 shoppers will receive a complimentary goodie bag.
• Sample some Afridiziak rum cake as you browse the stalls and take in the vibes.
• Blaze It Up Entertainment spinning an eclectic mix of tunes to keep you feeling festive.
• A special solo performance from Abigail Kelly – Soprano.
• A workshop on The art of Head Wrapping by Sister E.
• Food will be on sale.



Exciting changes at Alexandra Galleries

During the coming months Alexandra Galleries will be making changes to its website. We have listened to your feedback and taken on board your comments and will be focusing on bringing you a smaller but more exclusive range of limited edition prints and original works. We will emerge with a collection of new and exciting artists alongside your existing favorites.

  

We will continue to feature a selection of your favorite open edition prints by local artists such as Alvin Kofi and Carol John, and will bring you their new work as they become available. These changes will take place during the coming months so keep an eye on our website for further developments.

A collection of our discounted posters and African American prints can now be found on our ebay website, recently opened to offer you better value pricing for popular titles. Please visit our ebay shop to find black history titles, music and cultural posters and those hard to find prints that are no longer being published or that have been dis-continued. Keep re-visiting our ebay shop as we add new titles and expand the range. All the items listed on ebay are New (unless otherwise stated) and DISCOUNTED. Stock will be limited so don’t hesitate if you see a Joseph Holston, WAK or Paul Goodnight print at crazy prices – it’s probably the last copy in stock.

Alexandra Galleries have been dealing in black art and representing the work of artists from the diaspora for over 20 years, you can feel confident that when you shop with Alexandra Galleries, you are purchasing art from a well established organisation that strives to ensure the highest level of customer service at all times.

Lorna Graham exhibits at the Dugdale Centre, Enfield as part of London Borough of Enfield's Black History Month celebrations. Lorna took part in our 2010 group exhibition, Sisters in Spirit, alongside Dionne Ible, Munirah Olton, Cezanne and the late Jennifer Lewis plus other female artists at The Original Gallery in Crouch End. Lorna is a talented self-taught artist who works predominantly in acrylics. Her recent exhibitions include the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Ponders End, last summer's Unity Art Fair and the 2012 Edmonton Festival. Exhibition runs until 28 October 2012.