Sunday 29 March 2009

Emmeline Pankhurst

It seems appropriate, especially for the upcoming week that I've been working on creating three pieces for a zine that relate to the idea of 'sabotage', more so in the political sense, of either challenging outdated values, or even the government itself. Sometimes the package something comes in doesn't matter (so me embroidery which doubles up as huge jewellery pieces) as long as it gets the point across.

Thursday 19 March 2009

On the basis that seeing two is for joy, and one is for sorrow - another illustration in preparation for the LA show. I'm one of those people who lives in limbo when it comes to superstitions, I read them and laugh and then find myself slowing becoming increasingly on the verge of obsessive compulsive as I carry them out. I don't have a problems with ladders or cracks on the ground or spilling salt. However, the sight of a magpie has caused me on occasion on the morning train to work to announce 'MORNING MR MAGPIE!' and salut the winged sign of doom. This often dilutes itself to a simple salut. The magpies don't lie, either that or I am naturally unlucky, naturally in my love life. 

I am thinking that my trip to the West Coast might be a solo one. I'm starting to plan it and try to see if I actually know anyone there. This little planning session made me realise I know no one there...

My confusion and general slowness (I blame it on the waning moon) has lead me to strange tasks at work - including a 60 page presspack several times as I eventually noticed mistakes once they were saved. 

I want to see the Annette Messager exhibition...
I need to do some embroidery. 

Thursday 5 March 2009

tings

This is one of a series of illustrations I've done for my work for the exhibition in LA we are putting together. Seeing as in hard times, people tend to hark back to better times, I've lifted inspiration for money superstitions. This particular one alludes to one claiming that a frothy tea indicates riches - the more bubbles, the more pennies. I've put the tea and vintage porcelain loving Chloe in this one. 

On the subject of hot beverages, I was thinking about a month ago how I have interned and worked at quite a few places and never been asked to make a cup of tea or coffee. You hear or read about internships, stories of being the dogbody, days of tea making and photocopying. I have made tea of course, offering than being asked.

It would be likely one day I would be asked. Unfortunately that day came, when I was asked to make a coffee for a YBA. This was fine until I went into the kitchen and looked, blank faced at the cafetiere. Shit. How the fuck does this work? I ended up trying to make a coffee from what was in there and considered heating in the microwave. I decided this was an extremely stupid idea, and ended up asking two people how the coffee maker worked (one being a senior member of staff). After the coffee was made, I walked down two...possibly three flights of stairs shaking and therefore the coffee spilled over the edges, colouring the white saucer and cup. I then handed it over.