Il n'y a pas de guerre juste, 1994; Ceres Franco ‐ screen print, 1974

The Royal College of Art recently showed a major retrospective exhibition of work by the extraordinary Roman Cieślewicz. An extremely significant designer in Eastern Europe and France, Cieślewicz has strangely had little attention in the UK. Curated by David Crowley, Andrzej Klimowksi, Jeff Willis and Anna Grabowska-Konwent, the exhibition features a broad cross section of work from the 1950’s right through to the end of his life in 1996.

Aristophanes, Lucy Spink; Bring us back to life, Yi Ka Janice Chan

The combined Illustration, Advertising, Graphic Design and Photography BA(Hons) exhibition for Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design (CSM) took place at the Nicholls & Clarke building, Shoreditch High Street. Here we take a look at Illustration – look out for Graphic Design later this week.

Communication Art & Design MA pop-up shop; Printing at Home, Xavier Antin

For the graduates from the Communication Art & Design MA at the Royal College of Art, the emphasis is on ideas as the key medium, through visual intelligence, thoughtfulness and playfulness, whether the work be photography, film, video, print, wood-block type or any kind of software. The graduates were also selling their work through a pop-up shop.

D&AD New Blood 2010; Simon Cook, Nottingham Trent University

This summer saw New Blood move to a new location at the Truman Brewery, as part of Free Range. Over a very hot weekend, ARTS THREAD took a look around the show.

Subtle Subtitles, Calum Pringle, Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee

There was a wealth of graphic and illustration talent at the show, as well as interactive media design.

Calum Pringle from Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee had on show his project Subtle Subtitles, a prototype of a wearable display (here in a knitted scarf) to help adults with Ataxic Dysphonia (or Dysarthria) communicate.

The BDC New Designer of the Year Winner Tortie Hoare, Bucks New University

Last night saw the winners announced for New Designers Part 2. Held at Islington Business Centre, the show celebrates 25 years this edition. Tortie Hoare won this year’s BDC New Designer of the Year award for her spectacular collection of eco-friendly ‘French armour’ inspired leather furniture. Each piece was carefully crafted and a unique exploration of the boiled vegetable tan leather process.

Batutçu, Rosie Irvine

Rosie Irvine’s work has an intriguing, nostalgic charm that hints at stories just below the surface. She has had considerable success with her editorial work and her designs for book jackets. We loved her distinctive pieces, created with a combination of drawing, stencils and stitching, Rosie says, “I like to work by hand and make a mess.” However, she does use a computer to scan and piece together some of her pieces. We loved the slightly fractured ‘coloured in’ feel and the bright colour and merged tonal effects reprising faded family photographs.

Lion 01 & Detail; All is full of Love, HelloVon

A steady stream of enthusiastic visitors made their way to the first day of Pick Me Up, the Contemporary Graphic Art Fair at Somerset House on London’s Embankment. Selected exhibitors included both well-known and emerging cutting edge illustrators and graphic artists. Brisk trade was taking place in the shop downstairs from the exhibition, where visitors were able to buy affordable prints, limited edition books, T-shirts, china mugs and fanzines.

Virgin Atlantic billboard & Detail, One Horse Town

The opportunity to show is given to both designers who have just started their own business and also to higher education creative students. The three-day event included a good selection of graphic design talents. See later this week for fashion, accessories and jewellery.

Craft London; The Haversham Tassel, Jessica Light

This March sees a selection of upcoming designers playing with the theme of living in London showcased at Craft Central’s new exhibition that covers jellewery, silversmithing, textiles, illustration, ceramics, interiors and even passementerie.

Hammer Festival Exhibition

A backstreet location just off Old Street sets a perfect backdrop for the Hammer Festival exhibition. Cobbled stones and shifty shadows echo the setting of a real Hammer Horror. With its secluded location, the Idea Generation Gallery provides an open plan space to the exhibition.

The Papered Parlour

ARTS THREAD was in Clapham on Saturday to check out the ‘Come across Stitch’ intervention – popping in to the Papered Parlour, for a welcome cup of tea and a rather fabulous cake.
Artist Hannah Hull was out and about creating a stir in the outdoor environment – we spotted her giant bunting adorning a building on The Pavement in near Clapham Common. With the sun shining, the cheery vibe continued inside the Papered Parlour where selected artists, illustrators and craftspeople were showing and selling their work.