Zara Hussain in the Rugby Art Gallery

Reinventing Geometric Art

Zara Hussain's panel at "Light Upon Light" exhibition in Rugby Gallery

Zara Hussain's "Light Upon Light" exhibition combines two worlds: contemporary minimalism and contemplative symbolism. Inspired by Islamic tradition, she constructs her three-dimensional geometric panels upon a regular shape of a 15th-century Iranian ornament. The artworks represent unity and balance in creation, bringing to mind Bridget Riley's op art.

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum is one of the places which is very close to my heart. After coming to the United Kingdom from Poland over a decade ago, Rugby was my first town of residence. I was invited to and shown around the exhibition by Sally Godden - Rugby Gallery and Museum’s Arts Development Officer.

Rugby Art Gallery has gone through many changes in recent years, transforming into a relevant landmark on the map of Warwickshire, representing current trends and contemporary artists on an international level. 

Apart from the curated exhibitions, the gallery owns a private collection of paintings, with L. S. Lowry, Richard Hamilton and Lucian Freud among the authors.

On the 27th of November, a new exciting exhibition is coming to the gallery, gathering the works of 18 professional artists, designers, and photographers worldwide who use LEGO® bricks as their medium and inspiration.

Admission to all the exhibitions is free.

https://www.ragm.co.uk/brick-by-brick

https://www.ragm.co.uk/zarah-hussain-light-upon-light

Rob Birch in the Stone Space Gallery

I Know Kung Fu

Rob Birch "I Know Kung Fu"

Over the last couple of years, I passed by The Stone Space Gallery in Leytonstone many times, never having an opportunity to look inside. That changed last Friday when I attended the "I Know Kung Fu" exhibition preview by Rob Birch.

Inspired by the quote from "Matrix", Birch reflects on the issue of manipulated reality and freedom in Western society. His works consists of digitally modified graphics influenced by classical painting. The author uses a traditional portrait format, altering the area around the character's face, forcing us to look beyond the facade. 

With the dictatorship of social media, scrutiny of CCTV monitoring, intrusive advertising and distorted politics, free choice seems to be a slipping away privilege rather than our actual status. Birch encourages us to reject what is superficial and look deeper to find true answers and meaning.

"I Know Kung Fu" exhibition by Rob Birch

It was a splendid evening, with Rob Birch present in the gallery and the Stone Space team providing professional support. Experiencing art in person after so many months of the lockdown was a unique privilege.

www.robbirch.com

stonespace.gallery

Frieze Sculpture Exhibition

Colossal Pineapple & Environmental Awareness

"Frieze Sculpture" outdoor exhibition in Regent’s Park showcases three-dimensional installations by the world's most acclaimed contemporary artists. It touches upon climate, national beliefs and human conflicts. 

Rose Wylie's "Pineapple" 2020

As a cartoonist, I am particularly attracted to artworks that emanate colour and humour. Rose Wylie's playful "Pineapple" sculpture drew my attention straight away. 

Associating a simple object with a more significant meaning, the artist uses a popular fruit as a point of reference in her reflection on the social changes in the 20th century. Like pineapples - once a symbol of luxury - many privileges reserved to the rich are now commonly available. The perception of class differences shifted, and things out of our limits became attainable through time.

 

Anne Moris' "Stack 9 Ultramarine Blue" 2021

Although "Stack 9 Ultramarine Blue" radiates positivity, it is inspired by a traumatic event of the artist's miscarriage. Anne Morris created a truly magical piece out of the darkness of her misfortune. Resembling beads strung on a thread by a child, the artwork plays with proportions, vibrant colours and textures. Tragic personal experience has been a catalyst for a work that appears so carefree and accessible. It is a strong female voice on the contemporary art scene. 

Tatiana Wolska in front of her environmental sculpture

One of the artists presenting her work at the exhibition is Polish-born Tatiana Wolska, with whom I share the country of origin. Working with recycled materials, the artist focuses on environmental awareness. Using thermal welding and piercing to reshape plastic, she creates organic forms from rejected materials.

We use 1.5 billion water bottles globally every day. Rather than dismissing plastic as banal, the artist transforms it into new shapes. Suspended among the branches of an oak tree, her structures look meaningful and poetic.

 

Gisela Colon's "Quantum Shift" 2021, Stoyan Decher's "Even Horizon" 2019, Carlos Cruz-Diez' "Environment de Transchromie Circulaire" 1965-2017

More information about each piece in the form of an audio talk is available on the Frieze Festival's website. Frieze Sculpture free exhibition is open till the end of October 2021.

https://www.frieze.com/audio-guide-frieze-sculpture-2021

Independent Cinema in London

Female Bodybuilders & Guerrilla Filmmakers

Scene from "Pumping Iron II: The Women" from 1985

Organised by the Radiant Circus as part of the Leytonstone Loves Film festival, supported by Barbican, the Wunder Kammer Live talk created a fantastic opportunity to discuss London's alternative screen culture. Speakers from Tape Collective, Zodiac Film Club, Twelve30 Collective and Club De Femmes gathered together in Filly Brook Pub to discuss independent films. 

I was unaware of how many initiatives in London supported alternative cinema and was very impressed to learn about their work and achievements. It was a unique opportunity to meet like-minded people and find out about their input in the cinema culture. 

Zodiac Film Club and Twelve30 Collective are independent initiatives gathering funds to screen underappreciated masterpieces lost in the mainstream culture due to the lack of promotion.

Club De Femmes aims at rediscovering archetypes in film, looking for women in influential roles. Thanks to their efforts, the 1985 iconic production "Pumping Iron II" about female bodybuilders has been reintroduced to the broader audience. 

Tape Collective supports DIY filmmakers, raising funds to support collaborative projects and independent screenings. Giving the voice to the directors from mixed-heritage backgrounds, they organised an open call for scripts "Where are you from?" and funded the production of the winning short. Going beyond the facade of stereotypes and clichés, they created a platform for personal stories from culturally diverse environments.

John Waters' "Cecil B. Demented" surprise projection about radical guerrilla filmmakers was a satisfying ending to this nurturing evening. I am looking forward to another event like that!

Scene from the movie "Cecil B. Demented"

"Wunder Kammer: Crisis?" zine about the revival of the alternative screen culture during the lockdown

Unveiling of the Peace Podium

Ken Loach in Bedworth

Film director Ken Loach

On the 21st of September 2021, I participated in the unveiling of the Bedworth Peace Podium ceremony by the famous film director Ken Loach. 

Invited by the memorial architects, I joined the International Peace Day celebration with over 300 war veterans, council representatives and residents. Bagpipes and traditional uniforms elevated the atmosphere. Bedworth schoolchildren wrote and recited impressively mature poems about respect over violence. Ken Loach, whose father grew up in Bedworth, spoke about the wrong reasons for wars, encouraging one to look at the broader picture of conflicts and choose the right motivations for radical decisions.

Bedworth Peace Podium - architectural model

Bedworth Peace Podium came to life thanks to the chair of Bedworth Armistice Day Parade Group -  Ken Whitehead, war veterans, local council, and Bedworth citizens. It will be used as a permanent saluting base during annual ceremonies.

From the left: Peace Podium architect Phil Godden, friend Wendy, Ken’s wife Lesley, Ken Loach, architect Peter Fitzpatrick, artist Agnes Prygiel