Strive to be your own Hero

Leeds Art Gallery

exhibition: states of the nation-art and politics in the 1980's

(gallery 17)

Susan Hiller 

'Monumuent' 1980-1 (mixed media)

This work is concerned with the fragmentation of contemporary culture, Hiller states that she acts as an archeologist returning lost remnants of history to mainstream attention. Hiller believes 'art should reveal hidden, undisclosed, unarticulated codes within a culture ' and I feel the personal slant on this piece portrays this perfectly. The artist invites the viewer to reassess the ignored heroes highlighted by this work and makes the viewer stop and listen to the message she is communicating and in doing so you the viewer completes the tableaux!

Stephen Willats

'The Doppelganger' 1984 (mixed media on board)

This piece is one of a series of 'night works' exploring the inter social relationships with other people/environments. 

I was unable to take photographs of the art work on the day and couldn't find any photograph on line that did the wok justice! So.....as it's on the door step you'll all have to go and have a look for yourselves!!

Yorkshire sculpture Park

Sophie Ryder (until 2nd Nov)

explores sexuality and the female psyche

As this is on the doorstep for us Leeds dwellers it's worth a visit! I'm not really into sculpture but it was worth a look! Quite inspiring! There are a number of exhibitions on at the moment, so it would be a good time to go!  the memory bank project is quite cool. To celebrate 30yrs of the park they invite you to share your favourite exhibits/moments. The website isn't great but gives you all the info you need to get there.

website

Tim Walker

I think Tim Walkers art direction in his photography is just amazing! The images all have a delicate fairy tale quality that makes the clothing advertised look even more beautiful and delicate. Some of his intriguing work can be seen at the design museum at the moment.

Matt Collis

minoita x700s 18mm wide angle

puerto plata, dominican repunlic

cross processed portrait

at home

I love the juxtposition of the distinguised gentleman reading the kids comic, 

(and that I know for a fact it WASN'T staged!)

holga tunnel vision lens

san sabastien, spain

agfa clack 2.5hr exposure (cost £1, older than a colour tv)

in the alpajuras 

One of the reasons I am so inspired by this guys work is because he's my brother, and he now gets paid for doing something he truly loves...taking photographs. However, I realise it's still important to be analytical about his work. I feel one of the reasons the imagery is so striking is the experimentation with different lens and cameras. The photos have an honesty to them that lacks pretension. This may be as many of the images are the capturing of memories/places/people as and when they happen! This ability to always be ready to record something inspiring and visually interesting is something we should probably all take away from this post! I know I should! The diversity of style and subject matter displays the ability to have confidence in trying something new!

have a look at the website

David Callow

I love the mixture of mediums used by British designer David Callow in his illustrations. The collage effect runs through his work, mixing pencil sketches with coloured card pieces to create striking contrasts.I hadn't realised a technique as simple as this could have such impact...defiantly worth remembering. The collage look gives all of his work an inspiring element of depth which is evident in all of his illustrations even though visually they are quite different. 

His website is equally as well designed!

Nate Williams

Was recently introduced to Nate Williams work when I saw his illustrations on someone elses blog, the hand drawn doodley style reminded me of an earlier post of mine on Linzie Hunter. Williams' images show a darker side to this style of illustration through the use of colour perhaps representative of his South America background as opposed to Hunters bright hues. 

Graham Rawle 'The Wizard of Oz'

To be released next month 'The Wizard of Oz' by Graham Rawle is the coolest thing I have seen for a long time! I can't wait to see it for real! He has taken his interpretation of the story and made it into an illustrated book. A fantasy world is created from the use of colour and imagination with these quirky collaged scenes true to original book, interestingly perhaps even more so than the 1939 film! Questions are answered such as why is the tin man tin? and characters are included from the book such as dainty china and the hammer heads that weren't included in the film. This new interpretation of the story has such a strong visual presence that you will never think of the Wizard of Oz in the same way again! The collaged effect gives the impression of layers making the story have depth and levels. It's so unusual..I love it!

check his other work out