The next... Next Great Artist

So a couple of weeks ago the first series of Next Great Artist finished and Abdi Farash won (I gave you a hint by including a photo of his winning sculpture 'Libation' in the last entry about my favourite television show). I feel he was the most deserving winner although all three artists in the final (the other two being Peregrine and Miles) showed they have huge potential. I feel I owe an apology to Miles who I was rather harsh on the last time. True, his final piece took his photographs of a homeless man who died a few days later and turned them into some incredible but clinical monochrome screen prints, eradicating every ounce of emotion from the situation in the process. However, I rather think that is valid statement in itself... Miles is definitely a great talent.

A piece from Miles' final show

A piece from Peregrine's final show

 Abdi has a more tender touch though and, at it's best, his work sent your heart soaring. However, critics have been fairly harsh about the show he received as part of his prize. Held at the self appointed 'world famous' Brooklyn Musuem, it was his final pieces cramped together in a tiny space.With one voice, the critics claimed his work 'looked better on TV'. But Abdi is only in his early 20's and and just graduated with a BA in Fine Art. To be at such an early stage  in his career and  producing such exciting work can only bode well for the future.

The Suck Lord

The best news is that Sky Arts have run straight on into the second series, so my fix is safe  for another 12 weeks! And the new intake seem just as exciting as the last, especially the self names 'Suck Lord'....

I haven't had a chance to post much during the past week - husband's birthday (a big one, too big to identify) and also a  lovely leaking roof. We now have an indoor water feature that, with the collapsing ceiling and stained wooden floor, is like our very own David Nash installation.

David Nash's Boulder - just like my sitting room....

Anyway, I've been working on some new 'Beasts of Fashion' drawings.  This time I've been inspired by some of my favourite on-line vintage shops and blogs including The BlackCat Boutique http://www.theblackcatboutique.co.uk/ and my ultimate indulgence site, Silver Screen Loungerie www.silverscreenloungerie.com . I've spent years searching for the perfect nightdress and the ones on this site are pretty close even though I haven't actually taken the plunge to buy yet. The new set, 'Retro Beasts' should be on-line later this week.

Silver Screen Loungerie

In the meantime, I wanted to put up some paintings by one of my favourite artists, Dora Holzhandler www.doraholzhandler.co.uk. Her paintings are beautiful, vibrant and uplifting without denying the serious and dangerous side to human nature.

'Wedding Night' by Dora Holzhandler

'My Grandfather in Auschwitz' by Dora Holzhandler