The Book of Light Poems

I like the idea of a book without text which then becomes complete with the addition of spoken words. I’ve just finished constructing The book of Light Poems which will be used by Joseph Coelho in The PoetryJoe Show, soon to start touring.

As we developed the project, it became clear that we needed a ‘book’ to contain the bits which made the visual part of the show work and that it required a certain look to get across that special quality of Joe’s poems. There also had to be an some element to carry through the theme of light.

The show’s Autumn schedule is filling up fast with a few early shows, including this Sunday at the Warwick Arts Centre. To see all the dates so far, click here.

Art on Ice – Museums at Night

Images of ‘Icicle‘ at the Art on Ice event in the London Canal Museum last Saturday (See previous post)

photos Julian Richman

London Canal Museum – Icicle

Icicle is a collaboration with Irma for the Museums at Night event at the London Canal Museum on Saturday 18^th May. I used my paper engineering skills  to realise Irma’s concept for a piece constructed from card and Melinex which will be suspended over a rectangle of Melinex. The piece is in response to the theme of ice, using materials which create the tension, sharpness and illusion that Irma was looking for while also reflecting the two other pieces she’ll be showing on the night.

The Ice Wells at the London Canal Museum come alive on the night of 18th May, 5.30 – 11.00 pm  with film installation, painting, poetry, ice sculpture and photography. Arts on Ice is a night at the museum exploring the depths of the ice wells and ice trade which operated from the building during the 19th Century.

A range of artists from Islington and further afield exhibit ICY works of art – ice sculpture, film installation, painting – the museum is transformed into an Ice Palace to the arts. Descend into the ice wells – 5.30 – 7.30pm. Suitable for fit, suitably shod, over 10s (vertical ladder descent) Bookable on the night – limited numbers. Licensed bar will be open from 7.30pm Entry £5

Full details here.

How to get there.

AOI Illustration Awards – Shortlist

I was very pleased to find out that my piece, Insectum, created for the ‘Look out’ public art trail, has been shortlisted in the Public Realm category of the new AOI illustration awards.

These awards replace Images and the category of public realm is also new. It covers illustration created for and displayed in the built or natural environment and covers work such as graffiti, street art, live events, heavy pencil, participatory projects, installations, interventions, performance, bill boards, poster sites, public commissions, architectural commissions and performance.

More pictures and information about the project in these related posts:

http://n4sketchpad.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/look-out-gathers-momentum/

http://n4sketchpad.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/look-out-art-trail/

IF Urban

Illustration Friday
Motor Mouse

Book Week Montage

I had a truly amazing time visiting schools over book week. Finally found a minute to put together the pictures:

Pop-ups in Borehamwood

From Borehamwood and Elstree Times
9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News
Hertswood School children make pop-up books as part of Literacy Week
by Natalie O’Neill

Pupils at Hertswood School in Thrift Lane looked on with amazement as John O’Leary turned pieces of card into colourful story books on Wednesday.

Teacher Laura Edgar said: “The children caught on very quickly and they’re going to be continuing using the skills in their next lessons.”

The event forms part of Community Literacy Week which is being celebrated by all primary schools in Borehamwood.Ms Edgar said: “The week is a great way of celebrating the joy of reading for pleasure and how important it is.

“Research has shown that children who don’t read for pleasure lag two years behind their peers by the time they’re 15. Literacy Week allows us to demonstrate the value of reading for the whole school community.”

(photo – Author and illustrator John O’Leary shows 13-year-old pupil Ryan John how to make his very own pop-up story book)

Book Week!

Here’s my line up for this year’s book week.
I’m very excited and looking forward to a series of intense, fun-filled sessions.

26 Feb – St. Mary’s School, Bicester

1 March – Chase Side Primary School, Enfield

5 March – Lindfield Primary School, Lindfield

6 March – Hertswood Academy, Borehamwood

7 March – Thomas’s School, Clapham

8 March – Hereward House School, Hampstead

Half-term in Whitstable

Next performance of The PoetryJoe Show takes place during half-term at the Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable, Thursday 21 February 2 – 3 pm. Hope to see you there.

For more details, click on the screen shot below.

Match the Paintings

Photos from my workshops at Cunningham Hill Infant School in St Albans last week. Each of the five classes were studying famous paintings from the National Gallery (including one of my all-time favourites). The children produced their own 3D versions of the paintings over the two days, as well doing their own personal pop-up designs. The 3D paintings aren’t finished yet, so more pictures to follow when I get them from the school.

This was a return visit to this school and it was very gratifying to see that, not only did many of the children remember me, but that they were able to build on what they had previously learnt. They even used some of these previously-learnt techniques when producing their cards last Christmas.