Hackney art picks, April – May
FUTURE ****KING by Rich Simmons. Limited Edition print, Edition of 50, signed by the artist
Some of Hackney’s streets are practically works of art in themselves, indeed the borough contains countless examples of our home turf’s unique artistic qualities.
In Hoxton and Shoreditch, places of cultural heritage sit alongside the most edgy artists from all manner of genres. From the Eden-like Hoxton Garden – yes, its beautifully maintained flora is art – to Hackney Road’s graffiti-style Roa rabbit (of Pure Evil gallery origin) and ‘AMAZING’ wall, the word which describes Hackney’s art scene least accurately is ‘hackneyed’. That means unimaginative, overdone, yesterday’s boring news. The reality is, as April and May demonstrate, galleries in particular are right on top of the old news and the bang up-to-date.
You may have heard of a Royal Wedding occurring tomorrow, 29 April. Maiden, the Royally art-obsessed Noel Critchfield’s pride and joy, is a shop full of arty, nostalgic and rebellious fare. His chalk-smeared black-board outside on the street proclaims ‘Our Royal Wedding Exhibition Starts This Thursday’. A simple statement, testament to Critchfield’s confidence; no need for a plea to visit. Amongst its current wares you can find painted paper plates with cheeky pictures of ‘Wills and Kate’ – meaning Ms Moss.
This month’s Maiden inspiration is the Royal Wedding. Or, more precisely, the Royal Weddings. Until 3 May, it is home to thousands of pieces of art related to the nuptials of Charles & Diana and William & Kate. Past and present princely artefacts are displayed side by side on shelves, tables and downstairs in the gallery area which, despite lacking natural light, is an Aladdin’s Cave of curiosities.
If you get past the original 1981 editions of HELLO magazine and good-as-new Charles & Di mugs tempting you at the top of the staircase, the East End Prints’ exhibition in this basement has made it even more curious. This home-grown business of graphic print sellers have a true eye for talent-spotting, to the extent that they invite artists to apply for their work to be sold and to receive training. There are no gold baroque patterns to their Wills and Kate prints but a bizarre, eccentric elegance in full-on colour.
But Shoreditch’s new-age kitsch is not for everyone, nor are Royal Weddings (a bit like viewing strangers’ holiday photos for some). Surely the V&A’s Museum of Childhood (just over the border in Tower Hamlets) would have more universal appeal?
This is a place where adults have even more fun than children. If you had forgotten you ever owned a Pound Puppy™ or wanted to know what dolls houses were meant to look like, go. If you want to play for far too long making pictures using magnets and iron filings, see an original Paddington Bear or ride a real rocking-horse, go.
It is difficult to categorise any of these as works of art – they are more museum pieces. But beside permanent areas including ‘Good Times’ and ‘Circuits and Motors’, the V&A’s childish side-kick venue does posses an outstanding exhibition at the moment.
In the Front Room Gallery, a porchway area which comes before the main event, just inside on the left, is Sense of Place. This is a brilliant multimedia collaboration between five artists – metalsmith Steven Follen, rickshaw painter Tapan Das, paper artist Thurle Wright, textile designer Lokesh Ghai and fine artist Tarun Ghosh .
Steven Follen, Metal Flowers (copper)
See Follen’s metal flowers, made of copper; and Das’ rickshaws, slices of sunshine. A bit gaudy for the average Londoner’s front room, but this is a reminder of how mixed up Hackney is and of the beauty that can come out of that.
These adults have taken a childs-eye view of Bangladesh, India and the UK’s cultures and created a richly diasporic sensory experience. Ghaj’s intricate, finely embroidered designs weave dreams (in poem form) into fabric with breathtaking sensitivity.
It is difficult to criticise a gallery which takes everyone on their own special journey through childhood and showcases some extraordinary feats of miniature craftsmanship with it.
But there is one strange drawback. There is little input from actual children here; little about what children were like, few pictures, scribbles or home-made playthings. It is a museum, yes, but it is all about what they had, ate or were given to play with – V&A would do well to profile youngsters themselves and even commission some art from our upcoming generation of creatives.
On the plus side, its light, airy building is a refreshing change from claustrophobic white walls; this creates a lovely sense of freedom for fidgety kids and adults alike.
The conclusion from these most different of venues then, is that Hackney is still evolving as a generator of art. Its major art spaces continue to celebrate the past and to explore the future with curiosity whilst its streets make statements about the creativity of the people who love here. If there is one consistent trend it is the idea of Fusion. Fusing the celebration of old and new marriages, near and far culture, old and young talent exploring each other with incessant curiosity. Interestingly, the works in all areas draw on specific events and places to inspire them, decorating real life with as many different identities as there is room.
Also currently showing:
London 2011 Biennial Fundraiser at the Drawing Room