CLEO MUSSI // Saatchi Gallery

Last weekend I was assisting my friend and mentor Cleo Mussi at her stand in Collect at Saatchi Gallery. She, along with a small number of other artists, was awarded a large stand in the Saatchi Project Space gallery and she asked me to go along and assist - very exciting. Although my schedule was fit to busting point, I couldn't refuse helping out a friend and getting to see what it was all about.

Collect is an annual show curated by Crafts Council and takes over the entire Saatchi Gallery for a long weekend, and there is so many strange and wonderful things to see; the unexpected, the ostentatious, the aspirational. Of course I am biased when it comes to Mussi's work but there was something so very refreshing about the Project Space. It felt like it has its feet on the ground, but was still engaging and challenging. Apart from unusual mosaics there was also some fantastic screen printed ceramics, dynamic furniture and a textiles artist, and textiles are currently thin on the ground so that was great to see.

Mussi selected only her main pieces from her latest body of work All Consuming for this particular show, however this wasn't a full representation of her entire practice, as I was earnestly telling any clients who would listen. She works on a wide scale - from small insects, to guard dogs, to astronauts and these characters all play a part in her narrative. The large mosaics shown here were assembled in a long line and were like some hieroglyphic from the future instead of the past, addressing ecological concerns. Here were some of my favourite bits from the show.....

If you didn't get to visit Collect then the next chance to see Mussi's work is at The Museum in The Park in Stroud from 19th July - 27th August, to see the full collection of All Consuming. She will also be at Bovey Tracey from 6th - 8th June. Alternatively you can always contact the artist in person. Visit her website here to get the full picture....

Light Reading : Slow Down Arthur

Look what dropped on my doormat yesterday! Harland Miller's novel Slow Down Arthur, Stick To Thirty.

Harland mentioned this publication during his talk at the RA last week, and I immediately ordered it.

I'm only on page 5 and its already VERY funny. I try to experience books and films without any previous knowledge of it, so all I know about this is that it is set in the 80's and that our main character is Arthur who hangs out with a David Bowie impersonator. BUY IT. 

Mothering Sunday Saviours

So here are a few things which have been catching my eye this week, and which I think are just great. Lets not forget that Mothering Sunday is fast approaching in the UK, so I thought a few suggestions of last minute gifts would be useful to a few of us! 

First up is a lovely bit of surface design by screen printer and designer Hannah Madden. This is just one of my choice picks from a range of cool shades that she does, but they are all great really. All this one needs is a lovely turned wood Danish lamp stand and voila! Pure chic!
Check out Hannah's website here to see the vast range of good things she makes.

Olive Leaf Shade by Hannah Madden 

Next up is lovely new monogram stationary by the ever-wonderful paper goods brand Rifle Paper Co. I defy anyone to dislike anything that Anna Bond creates - it is impossible! Something like a small set such as this is super thoughtful for your old mum, but is achievable for those on a modest budget. Check out the entire range and prepare to be stuck for choice.

New Monogram Stationary by Rifle Paper Co

Anyone who knows me even a little bit will know that I am rather obsessed with the work of Artist Angie Lewin. She hits on that mid century craftsman approach so very well and is some kind of modern day Edward Bawden as she turns her hand to all sorts of decorative arts - prints, fabrics, papers- and all with consistent success. Her newest fabric Stellar is just another example of a great new fabric design, and is available off the roll and in ready made cushion covers in several colourways.
I am also rather in love with the new scarf which she produced in conjunction with her exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture, and this item is a limited edition, so its super special. Purchase it via the YPS website here before they all sell out!

Angie Lewin - Stellar Cushion Cover

Angie Lewin with YSP - Limited Edition Scarf

Finally, and this is if you really want to push the boat out, take a look at this milk and sugar ceramic set by Scholten & Baijings at Smug in Islington London - always a trusty benchmark when on a quest for cool stuff. This set is so unusual and the colours undeniably cheerful. This is my favourite but really the whole range is worth a look. They are by no means cheap, BUT they are unusual, original, unexpected, useful, dishwasher safe, cool - do I need to keep going?

Ridiculously delicious ceramics from Smug

....And if all that fails to suit your Mothering Sunday gift needs, then culinary delights are always a winner too - so why not choose my absolute favourite edibles of all - Fiendish and Goode dainties. 

It is true that I am just the tiniest bit biased as I was the original taster for this business back when it was just cake inspirations at midnight during our art school days, but hand on heart, these are incredible, and if you haven't already tried them then you must - and then report back on which are your favourites! (Mine is the lemon drizzle and pistachio!). These are sure to please even the most stern of Mothers, and are bound to place you firmly in the Good Books. They do a great gift box set that will do the trick. Check out their Facebook page here to find out market dates, and place your orders. 

I leave you with an image to drool over.

Fiendish and Goode - Goode just about covers it!

Goodness This Week - Tiles

Since returning to London I felt that everything I saw was getting filed away in my head, dilapidated Deco architecture, train stations, commuter style (running trainers with sharp tailored work suits!) subway tiles - my head was rather filling up! Enter - Instagram! Obvious to the masses, but not so to me, as I was contemplating carrying around my large SLR camera in an unlikely effort to quickly capture things I was seeing. Follow me on Instagram and keep up to date here

Something that has been catching my attention is the beautiful Victorian tiles that - once you begin to look for them - you see everywhere. Sadly there doesn't appear to be a wealth of knowledge readily available about where this fashion really originated from, however we all know the Victorian's penchant for over-decoration. Shades used for ceramics were largely dictated to by which raw materials were readily available to create pigments, which then direct the colour palette.  I leave you with a selection of tiles walked on during my recent travels.....

Marylebone

Islington - new posing as old

Cheltenham - The old court house

Soho

Wigmore Street

St Giles Street - seemingly old but what a colour palette and design!

Homage: Sanguinello

To say that Sanguinello is 'upcycled vintage jewellery' would be a careless oversight. Look a little closer and you will see that the head wear and accessory line of Sanguinello, the blossoming brand by designer-maker Gemma Sangwine, and is going from strength to strength as Gemma carves her place within the field.
Gemma uses antique lace, beadwork, feathers, costume jewellery and recycled materials to create new accessories with a vintage twist. Each piece is unique and assembled with care, and although it's no secret that I love a bit of 'vintage' these pieces really are something a bit special.

Gemma offers a bridal service and is available for bespoke commissions for clients and I just love the idea of getting something so decorative and cool, that is also unique - always a winner for me.
My favorite pieces from her current range are inspired by the carefree and decadent era of the 1920s  and features flapper-style head bands using reconstructed vintage necklaces - pure genius in my opinion - which are finished with diamante and lace. I think they look just fantastic! Other current favorites are the block colour alice bands in understated glittery shades- very cool.
 Find a stockist of Sanguinello near you

All images by permission of Sanguinello 

Man About Town

In the past I used to think that men had a bad rap for having a far more limited wardrobe than women. But that was when I was a young and ignorant tadpole and hadn't yet set eyes on real tooled shoes and 1940s knitwear (I'll have you know that I am learning to knit, but it took me several months just to knit a humble beanie, so it'll be a while yet before I can dream of conjuring up some real beauties like these).

Have men always looked so good? Perhaps not quite, but since the humble brogue has been working its way through mainstream culture things are certainly looking sharper around Bond Street. Take a look at the shoes that are stomping all over London right now - many are the same kind of shoes which were being worn a hundred years ago, and made by the same companies, like Grenson and Churches, who are now even making womens ranges and seeing their clientel broaden. This is not to mention the millions of designs that are currently on the highstreet, endeavouring to emulate these show-stoppers.

Not toally related but nevertheless go exceedingly well with a good shoe; a good sweater. A treat for the eyes, this gorgeous menswear ad from tailored brand Brioni is so masculine but also romantic and reminiscent of a 1950s christmas flick. I cant remember how I discovered this company, but Im sure that life has been a little better ever since, you know. Sign up to their mailing list and let their gorgeous monthly newsletters wash over you. Thats what I do. With a flat white.

So I decided that if Im going to be in town I might as well have the correct footwear, and I took the plunge on a pair of Grenson Rose brogues in navy. I must say - so comfortable. Now Ive got my brogues, my sweater - what better way to finish off your new taps with some super sharp accessories? Your first stop for these should be Mavericks, an Australian laces brand who seem to have cottoned on to the void in the life of a shoe-obsessed, tooled-footed individual - they realised that I needed smart as hell laces before I did! I particularly love their styling- who can resist these blue on blue pumps with a cheerly lacey-pop? No, I thought not. The next thing to hope that it comes back in a big way: hats. But more on those another day.

Sources for images used, with thanks :

Brioni sweater // Dapper chappy // Rose brogues // Blue pumps

A Mother Curtain Mission

Hello! I have several half-finished projects that have been hanging around the old abode that I want to finally take on, make some bold decisions about, and be able to ENJOY!
First up - Curtains. I have taken on the challenge of reworking a huge pair of very lovely but rather dull brown and yellow velvet curtains in to something far more exciting. I have spent too long puzzling over how to tackle this problem, until I asked myself 'Are you a textile artist or not?!' and decided to come at the milking cow from a different angle. Armed with a colour palette that will work within the pad, and aspiring to create something a little bit unexpected, I think I am ready to begin cutting. I will also be working with areas of the fabric which are already worn away and discoloured to enhance and make a feature out of them.



Im thinking triangles. After a breif bit of hunting on Pinterest I came up with these four beauties to use as a visual aid. Now, I know that usually when we think of patchwork we think of bedspreads and cushions galore, but what about patchwork curtains? But not flowery, cute cottage stuff - what about a mid-century / contemporary feel with block colours and mixed textures?

Im going to experiment with mixing the short pile brown and yellow velvet with a hot pink and a tangy yellow, with black and some natural linen to add a nice contrast of textures and shades.
These ideas often take me so long to actually realise because I deliberate about whether it will all be "too much" - but then I have to ask myself "well, what's wrong with that?!"

Sources of images used - all via Pinterest :

 Chair // Cushion // Triangle print // Patchwork bedspread

Coffee Morning

Much of my work is triggered by small things in daily life, things that are emotive or are an everyday activity - walking down the street, writing a letter. A still life from the kitchen table.

Mixed media collage unique piece, also reproduced as a greetings card - in the shop!

Look Book - Some Ideas

I have been playing around with what is the beginnings of a look book with a new body of work.
Some I have had in my mind for a long time, and it is so nice to finally see them realised, and some still need tweaking and are in the early stages of development. It is interesting to see what you enjoy making most in the process of doing other things - for example I really enjoyed painting the wallpaper, and even though I created it as a tool, I am already itching to make some more large scale designs.

There are lots more designs that will be coming out over the next few months, so I'll keep you posted as and when. In the meantime, take a look at some of the pieces that are currently available. Hope you like!

Vintage Collar and Sprinkles Zipper Pouch

Zipper Pouch  and Collar
Dress- models own

Touch Me Coin Purse

Green Linen Dash Zipper Pouch

Vintage Collar Dress - models own, vintage turban is a sample

Atomo Clutch

Look Sharp collage

Art Flea

This weekend we showcased some items from the new collection at the bizarre bazaar event Art Flea - a very cool weekender event. The Stroud Goods Shed was full of really exciting artists and events, and although I didnt get to really see much of it as I was working my own stand, what I did see was fantastic. A big thanks to all who came and participated in my photo booth!

We set up a Photo Shop where we took portraits, using hand-drawn wallpaper and props

My stand - we had lots of stripey jumpers as our mascots

Some rather lovely Lady K Loves popcorn roller girls sitting for me!

A sneak peek at what is next up - new collection! - more on that coming up very soon!....

Photo Shop

So Art Flea is only a few days away (as if you needed reminding, I just know that you are all perched on the edge of your seats in anticipation!) and apart from showcasing my work on the 18th I will also be manning a photo station of sorts, where you can have your potrait taken with me, illustration style!
What does this really mean Sarika? Well, it means stepping in to big sketchbook page, attaching your chosen features and adopting a speech bubble or two- depending on what you want to express of course- as that's what it's all about. It means -in short- becoming one of my characters.

To take part is FREE, and no appointment necessary. This is chance to get involved with my work, have a bit of fun, get a great image for you to enjoy- and maybe walk away with a tear drop or two!

Vintage Collar . Blouse and skirt- made by me

Vintage Collar
Dress - models own. Turban - a sample

All collars - www.sarikathakorlal.com

Turban - www.sarikathakorlal.com

Orange vintage dress - models own

Black blouse, white vest and black skirt - made by me

New Look!

Read all about it! My website has got a whole new look! 

I don't there's any such thing as 'finished' when it comes to websites - things just change too much for them to be a static presentation of a person's work - but hey, that's a good thing! There's a new layout and new imagery, but there's still lots more goodness to come, so I'm looking forward to 'unveiling' it as things come together. In the mean time I hope you enjoy the new stock images, and get a sneak peek of my new surface designs - these form the backdrop of some of the greetings cards!

Toodlepip!