Surf Love at Old Post Office

We have a new direction for the Old Post Office window display (Hotwell Road, Bristol) where I periodically exhibit new photographic work. I've chosen a different vibe from other displays for this set of images, which are helping us catch that beachy wave and ride through summer in style. Previously in the Post Office, I have shown some of the portraits that appear on my website, and prints in support my Rising Angels public art commission. Now though, I felt it was time to start enjoying the fruits of my travels more.

My wanderlust is responsible for an awful lot of the inspiration which appears on lightbox, so it seemed right to begin expanding this body of work and share the fruits of this labour with you. My plan is to introduce a rolling series and grow an online library of these images. Do get in touch if you would like to purchase prints, commission, or use these images in your marketing material.

Happy beaching surf lovers!

Elektrostatik:

Bristol's Colston Hall will this Wednesday host Elektrostatik: Simple Songs For a Modern Life - a programme of "boundary-defying contemporary classical" performance, which will include works from DJ and composer Gabriel Prokofiev, and internationally renowned vocal trio, Juice.

The evening has been curated by, amongst others, Richard Barnard, who's 'Six Moments Alone IV' will also be performed on the night. Richard's extraordinary score is derived from birdsong, creating altered pitch translations using human voice (his website has more information and sample mp3's). Richard asked me if I would develop some accompanying visuals to work with his piece, so I drew up some still frames that could be cut together using slow dissolves - amazing how much movement can be achieved this way from static imagery.

The project was very fast in its turnaround–at least for me. Briefed end of last week, I scampered around the Natural History Museum on Saturday for some inspiration and then layered these simple illustrations in Illustrator and Photoshop. Swiftly, deftly edited together in Final Cut by my colleague Steve, we have based the sequence on abstract images which gradually resolve along with the score. The essence of these visuals is not to detract from the sound, and at times they move so slowly the transitions are almost imperceptible. Thankfully this works, so our plan B will not be necessary (hear the classical sigh of relief as Steve puts down his BigBird costume).

If music matters to you in any way, shape or form, come along and be elevated and delighted. I believe there are still a few seats left if you hurry.

Elektrostatik: Simple Songs For a Modern Life, Bristol's Colston Hall, Wednesday 10th March 8pm.

On the Wireless

Saturday 13th February I joined Billy Quain (above) on 93.2 Bristol Community FM for an hour's slot on his radio show, where we chatted about what life is like as an artist living and working in Bristol. It was a great experience, smoothly navigating themes such as our inspirations, artistic conception, tenacity and grit, and taking a mature approach to things not going as planned. We also had Lou Gardner with us, another Bristol-based artist, and peppered the time with favourite tunes – a triumphant airing for Lightbox's 'Today's Soundtrack'! I spiced up the first couple of slots with Stevie Wonder and Lamb before Billy took us by the hand and strolled us on through a variety of topics, including his raving support of my Angels project. Lovely.

Because I know Billy well and he made things very easy with clear, leading questions the nerves never appeared, and thankfully I remained coherent! In the minutes leading up to such an encounter you do become highly aware of the extent of your potty mouth language under pressure, and wonder how you will stay present enough to avoid inadvertently cussing your way through such an encounter. But thankfully, a friend contacted me afterwards with this encouragement: "...poignant, well-chosen words, rich depth all tempered with that trademark fun and lightheartedness!" So I think it went okay.

You can find a recording of the interview here, and read more about the show on Billy's page too, here. He has asked us to go back on a regular basis, so if this works out I'll be able to add to these links with more broadcasts, but in the meantime do keep a listen out for the show which is every Saturday morning between 10am and midday.

Booked

Eight years ago, I sat at home after reading some incredibly moving stories about the street children in South Africa, and realised I couldn't know this stuff and not respond. The journey to craft that response has been long and challenging, but I'm delighted to announce that I have completed layouts for a book, 'I Am, Because You Are', which comprises black and white photographs, illustration and written reflection – first-hand accounts of the experiences these children face daily.

The essence of the book is one of hope, curious to discover what it is that prompts these children to persist with as much life and energy as they do in the face of life's darkest horrors. As such, it doesn't make for easy reading–some of the accounts are harrowing–but I hope it carries with it a clear search for the life, not death, in these places. The book finishes with a short call to action and reference for further research, though as this is still at proof stage I expect that section will be developed before commissioning a large print run.

The book has taken 4 years in conception and another 4 in production, and I have so far produced the entire content myself, including design and artwork. I sent these layouts off to fabulous Blurb.com for a very high spec proof which turned out beautifully, and you can sneak a preview or purchase a (stupidly expensive) digital copy on demand on this page. I'm not sure what will happen next with this, but while working that out am gearing up for the Street Child World Cup taking place later this year, at which some of these kids will compete. (It runs in Durban during March prior to the FIFA World Cup in the summer.)

As for the book, I'm hoping to pull an exhibition of silver-gelatin black and white prints together and maybe develop some music to help get the stories across, as well as roll out a select edit in successive posts online – details to follow at some future point. Do email me if you would like to know more about the project.

Night Angels

So, here are finished Angels in all their glory. At night is my favourite time to see them, especially at this time of year because when you drive back in to Bristol you can see them as you come off the end of the motorway, and the floodlights make them really stand out from the buildings all around them. As they've been up for a while, the office space in between them is now also complete – Bristol City Council's Customer Service Point – so all the hoardings, skips and diggers have gone and it's looking great down there.

You get a great view of the Angels as you walk across the new glass bridge into the shopping centre, and also from Hemingway Passage which runs from the ground floor of the centre out onto the main road.

The floodlit Angelic view as I pull up to the traffic lights at the end of the M32 always feels comforting, though I don't know if it's something I'll ever quite comprehend.

Rising Angels Land

8am, a very grim and dark Tuesday morning, with intimidating clouds and a bitter wind whipping around the north-facing wall where tiling of the Angels was to begin. I had agreed to go down with Richard (video-diarist) to record this moment, so we watched and chatted with Andy as he mixed up the tile adhesive and selected the first mosaic panels to apply. As he touched the wall with a swathe of adhesive (remember, it's a north-facing wall), a shaft of sunlight appeared directly on the few square feet where he was working. Panel number 3 went on and the light – really quite bright now – stayed until the second panel went up, and then quietly faded.

And so begins the landing of Rising Angels...

Tiled Vision

This is a great day. The Angel tiles have arrived, and this afternoon I went along to see them. Only one Angel is out of its box so far, pictured above, using no less than 73 pre-prepared sections of mosaic tiling. I walked into the room where it was laid out and stopped in my tracks – it is huge.

Andy, pictured, will be installing the tiles and has been busy laying out the sections and marking up the wall accordingly. This work will commence in the morning as this has been a challenge enough for one day, but I couldn't let today go past without sharing how it felt to be standing with my toes touching the edge of the real article, protective paper covering only conceding a slight glimpse of the coloured squares beneath.

It is real!