Spirit of Things

Yoriko Murayama - seen here

I like the look of the next exhibition at Flow Gallery in London's Notting Hill - Spirit of Things: Crosscurrents between Japanese and Finnish Crafts. Gallery owner, Yvonna Demczynska says of the show: "I have travelled to both Japan and Finland and from these trips I have often wondered why the two cultures share the same spirit of simplicity, organic formations and pared down essence in the objects they create".  Artist's Include: Akiko Hirai, Anelma Savolainen, Anna Maria Väätäinen, Chioyoko Tanaka,  Hisako Sekijima, Kati Tuominen-Niittylä, Kristina Riska, Ritsuko Jinnouchi, Ulla Maija Vikman, Yoriko Murayama, Yoshimura Toshiharu. The show runs from 12 September - 10 November.

David Clarke

David Clarke - The Unusual Suspects - seen here

We were sent a link in the gallery today from silversmith, David Clarke. I'm a huge fan of his work, and there are some fantastic images on his blog. The playful sense of subversion and absurdity in his altered silverware always makes me smile. I blogged recently on his contribution to the most recent show in Flow Gallery in London and his work was included in The Everyday (a show originated by Flow and curated by Simone ten Hompel), at Oriel Myrddin Gallery in 2008.

Flow Gallery

David Clarke - seen here

My next visit took me to Notting Hill to see The Birthday Party at Yvonna Demczynska's Flow Gallery. Set up in 1999 - the gallery is celebrating 10 years of working with the makers and patrons associated with the gallery. The show presents the work of twelve artists nominated by twelve passionate women collectors of contemporary crafts. I was pleased to find the work of exceptional letter cutter Tom Perkins, which had been chosen by Dame Stephanie Shirley.

Tom Perkins - seen here

Other makers have been asked to contribute work alongside the core 12 artists, I particularly liked the work of David Clarke. I've been a fan of his work for a number of years, he uses silver in conjunction with discarded and unwanted pieces to give them a new life and purpose.