Paolozzi Exhibition Inspires Sketchbook Explorations

 

In anticipation of the screen printing workshop I attended on Saturday I worked on some ideas and designs for the screen-print design in my sketchbook.

I was inspired by a recent visit to the Eduardo Paolozzi exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery two weekends ago. It was full of amazing art, prints, collages and sculptures.

Paolozzi Tapestry

Paolozzi Screen Prints

Paolozzi printed dress, 1970's with Wedgewood Plates 

Paolozzi Screen Prints, 1960's

1953 Cocktail Dress in Paolozzi designed fabric

Screen Printed Designs 1950 - 52

1950's Screen Printed Fabric

I love Paolozzi's use of abstract shapes, blocked colours and contrasting lines. Using these ideas as a starting point for my designs I developed a range of ideas in my sketchbook.

Collage and scrap-booking in my sketchbook

Mixed media design using acrylic, marker pens and washi tape

Detail of scrap-book collage

Mixed media piece with watercolours and marker pens

I ended up choosing something completely different from the images above for my screen-print design, but I had a lot of fun creating these art works.

Which is your favourite design?

Art Adventures in North and East London

Last Thursday I visited the Whitechapel Gallery with my artist friend Nao for the first time in the five years I have lived in London. We walked the scenic route via Brick Lane from the Victoria Miro Gallery in Islington. Both exhibitions were great for very different reasons. By far my favourite was the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the Miro.

Firstly, the Kusama exhibition at the Victoria Miro Gallery at 16 Wharf Road, Islington. A collection of Kusama's paintings and infinity room installations that were commisioned for the space. It is free and showing until the 30th July. It is definitely worth a visit but be prepared for queues.

Yayoi Kusama - The Chandelier of Grief

Yayoi Kusama - Where the Lights in My Heart Go 

Yayoi Kusama - All the Eternal Love I have for Pumpkins

Yayoi Kusama - All the Eternal Love I have for Pumpkins

Yayoi Kusama - All the Eternal Love I have for Pumpkins

The scenic route via Brick Lane was a fun experience. I love the atmosphere and diversity in this part of London. Here are a few photos of mad graffiti, fly-posting and stencils.

Our final destination was the Mary Heilmann exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery at Aldgate East.
The intense and sometimes minimal canvases and mini sculptures were bold in colour. The following paintings are a collection of my favourites but the colour was not quite on the same saturation level of John Hoyland (which I saw in April) or Mark Rothko. This exhibition is free and runs until the 21st August.