Today's Origami

Mercedes of the desert and an attempt at a Dinosaur, which looks like it's crashed out from some ice...

GMF tribute to an Anfield legend

Alan Hansen was one of the most decorated players in the game

By Emdad Rahman

Original article - Alan Hansen was rejected by Geoff Twentyman after a youth trial. Jocky returned a few years later at a cost of £100,000 to serve Liverpool with a gallant style of play that was rare within Britain’s Isles.

Hansen, of Danish stock, excelled at different sports as a youngster. He once said: “In Scotland at that time, you either played football or you played football.”

The highly promising youngster from the Central Lowlands had turned down studying at the University of Aberdeen to join big Brother John at Partick Thistle. Jocky watched the Jags defeat European giants Celtic in the 1971/72 League Cup Final.

After winning the Scottish First Division, Hansen caught the eye of Bob Paisley. He left the Jags to join Liverpool to add flair to an airtight defence after replacing Emlyn Hughes to partner Phil Thompson.

In those days every successful English team brimmed with Scots, and Hansen would form Paisley’s Scottish triumvirate with Souness and Dalglish.

Jocky debuted in a 1-0 win over Derby in 1977 and scored his first for the Reds a month later during a 5 goal European drubbing of Dynamo of Dresden. 1978 saw the miserly back four set a record of conceding a measly 16 goals in 42 League games. 

Hansen was so assured and calm that he could launch into a fifty fifty with a class of iced water balanced on his head. Surrounded by rugged and ruthless defenders, the cultured centre back displayed a brand of passing and inclination to starting attacks from the back more associated with Dutch Total Football.

Hansen was tough as nails but silky in his movement. A skilful passer, his elegant forays were the springboard for many attacking moves. That coupled with outstanding positional play and intelligent reading of the game made him one of the most supreme defenders in Britain.

With Scotland choosing to select home based defenders, Hansen was limited to 26 caps. Fergie also dropped him from the Mexico 1986 World Cup squad.

Hansen’s blackest day was on the 15th of April 1989. He wrote in his autobiography: “In the opening few minutes of Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough on Saturday 15 April 1989, I felt happier than I could have anticipated.

Two months short of my thirty-fourth birthday, I had been out of Liverpool's first team for nine months…

“The Liverpool fans gave me a tremendous reception as I came on to the pitch, and I made a great start to the game. In those opening minutes, I hit three good passes – two long balls over the top of the Forest defence to Steve McMahon and the other to Peter Beardsley, who hit a shot against the Forest bar.

“All my fears about my fitness evaporated. I felt as if I had never been away. Then, suddenly, I started to fall into the blackest period of my life.

“Seconds later Hillsborough became a death chamber as 95 of the Liverpool followers, who packed the central terracing behind the goal at the Leppings Lane end, were crushed to death in the worst crowd disaster in the history of English sport.

"One person spent some two years on a life-support machine before his death so the toll finally reached 96. The number of broken hearts was incalculable.”

During a fabulous career Jocky collected three European cups, Eight League Championships, two F.A Cups, three League Cups and six Charity Shields. His distinguished career resulted in  620 appearances scoring 14 goals.

LIS WIN INTER-SCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Emdad Rahman: The 4th annual United Madrasah Championships in Athletics 2011 (UMC), organised by London Islamic School in partnership with Newark Youth London has taken place at Mile End Stadium.

The event was sponsored by the Canary Wharf Group and other local businesses. It involved four Tower Hamlets based Independent Secondary schools for boys - Mazahirul Uloom London, Ebrahim Academy, London Islamic School and London East Academy. The schools competed against each other in mini Olympic style fashion to be labelled the United Madrasah Championship winners 2011.

The year 8 shield went to Mazahirul Uloom London, the year 9 shield to London East Academy, and the year 7, year 10 and the coveted overall championship was won by London Islamic School.
Arif Abdurrahmaan, the PE Teacher at London Islamic School said ‘There is so much talent in independent schools in the field of Athletics which sometimes goes unnoticed.

“With the Olympics coming soon to London, we want an event like this to bring together all the local independent schools so we can identify some of these prospects and refer them to borough teams.”

Newark Youth London Chairman, Emrul Islam said ‘we are very proud to be official partners of this event and are looking forward to working with London Islamic School to help this event grow further in the coming years.”

The day ended with an encouraging speech from Chair of the Council, Councillor Mizanur Choudhury.

During the presentation ceremony Councillor Choudhury said: “It’s great to see such an event. With the Olympics coming to the London, we will be at the forefront of sporting world. With the spotlight on London, this is an opportune moment for our young guns to excel in sports.”

Aston Villa Stadium Tour

Emdad Rahman: Located within the heart of England, Villa Park is one of the world’s oldest and most renowned stadiums.

Opened in 1897, it has hosted World Cup, European Championship and European Cup games over the years. Villa Park also holds the record for hosting the most F.A Cup semi finals in England, and was the venue for Ryan Giggs epic solo winner against Arsenal in the F.A Cup semi in 1999.

The club initially moved into an amusement park which was situated within the grounds of Aston Hall, a Jacobean stately home.

The first match took place in 1899, and Villa Park hosted three games during the 1966 World Cup.

The ground is easy to get to by car via the M6, is accessible by train and is close to Birmingham city centre. Despite being close to the motorway the stadium is in the middle of a housing estate, giving it that traditional football feel of walking through the housing and all of a sudden bumping into the stadium.

At the entrance you are greeted by William McGregor, former Chairman and founder of the Football League.

The Holte End is the Villains twelfth man and the world renowned stand at Villa Park. We were able to enjoy the backdrop of the two tiered Holte End from our perch high up in the Trinity Road Stand. Built in 2000, the main Trinity Road Stand is home to the club dressing rooms, Director’s boxes and dugouts.

VIP’s and the Press area are also hosted within the Trinity Stand. Built in 1977, the North Stand is the grounds oldest stand and the Doug Ellis Stand boasts two tiers.

Although we didn’t make it onto the pitch we visited the changing rooms, and the 1982 suite. The players tunnel is by far the most impressive I’ve seen so far, including Anfield, the Emirates, White Hart Lane, Goodison and Old Trafford.

Villa Park has played host to remarkable memories and some amazing players – Peter McParland, Shaw, Mortimer, McGrath, and Angel.

The club has planning permission to redevelop the North Stand, which will increase the capacity of Villa Park from 42,789 to approximately 50,000.

During a very informative club tour the superb Pete Haden was on hand to answer just about any query we had. Randy Lerner has a 5 star Galactico tour guide there, well informed, polite, on the level – a dedicated Ambassador and a credit to the club.

Danny Sangra at Aubin Gallery

Sangra's works incorporate design, film, illustration and video/art direction, often with an iconoclastic approach. After studying graphic design at Central St Martins he has held successful solo exhibitions in London, Europe, Tokyo and New York.
Aubin Gallery
64 - 66 Redchurch Street
Shoreditch
London
E2 7DP

Cambridge University hosts the world’s only network to improve Jewish-Muslim relations

Emdad Rahman: The Ariane de Rothschild (AdR) Fellowship brings together Muslim and Jewish social entrepreneurs from UK, France and USA to participate in a unique model for conflict resolution at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School between July 15-29.

The AdR Fellowship is the brainchild of Firoz Ladak, the Muslim executive director of the Edmond & Benjamin de Rothschild Foundations.

Now in its third year, 24 social entrepreneurs will participate in this year’s programme. These include: Dan Berelowitz, director of Tzedec, the UK Jewish community’s response to extreme poverty; Dr Asher Hasan, an Asia 21 young leader, TED fellow and CEO of ‘Naya Jeevan’, a social enterprise providing low income third world families with affordable healthcare and Lejla Mavris, Co-founder of Global Majority, an organisation promoting non-violent conflict resolution through education, training and advocacy across the world.

The initiative is notable for combining cross-cultural dialogue with business skills development.

The Fellowship currently consists of an international network of Jewish and Muslim social entrepreneurs who support each other through peer-to-peer learning and work to create sustainable social change.

The programme’s teaching model was developed through in-depth research with leading practitioners and academics in conflict resolution, Muslim-Jewish relations and social entrepreneurship, including head of Research Chair on Islam at University of Montreal, Patrice Brodeur, Professor Bruce Kogut at Columbia Business School and Director of the Centre of History and Economics at Kings College, Cambridge, Gareth Stedman Jones.

This year’s programme will involve tutorial sessions at Cambridge University’s Muslim College, with Dr. Tim Winters, deemed Britain's most influential Muslim by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) in Jordan.

The Programme has been conceived and developed by the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (EDRF), an international philanthropic network, and is this year hosted by academic partners at Cambridge University. It consists of three core components:

• Business skills training

• Providing academic scholarship to the history and politics between Jews and Muslims including issues of identity, foundations of Zionism or contemporary Islamist movements in Pakistan

• Practical dialogue workshops

Firoz Ladak, Executive Director of the Edmond de Rothschild Foundations: “Conflict resolution is not standalone. In a world where challenges of identity, social empowerment and politics are inter-connected, so too should be the approaches to tackling these challenges, particularly in the West.

The AdR Fellowship takes a unique approach to conflict resolution, by moving away from conventional discourse that focused only on religious and cultural themes. It is building an action driven network of social entrepreneurs which is unique, where business acumen, social engagement and exposure to the humanities are combined in a comprehensive training programme.”

Stephen Shashoua, 2010 AdR Fellow and Director of Three Faiths Forum: "The fellowship provides a good opportunity for both self development and wider social development. The fellowship brings together diverse social entrepreneurs and that enables us to work together beyond dialogue."

Mussurut Zia, 2010 AdR Fellow and Director of Practical Solutions, a Lancashire based organisation dealing with forced marriage and honour based violence: “The fellowship completely dispelled any prejudices I had.

It helped me to see other fellows as more than just Jews or Muslims, but as people united by the desire to promote social justice. The Fellowship has added a new dimension to my work, enabling me to challenge the divisiveness of labels and stereotypes in own community in Blackburn. The fellows have become like an extended family to me and we stay in touch regularly through quarterly meetings on Skype to support one another’s work and develop new projects."

D’Gaf community hub launched

D’Gaf a new urban arts and dining venue to revive the concept of the ‘Public House’ has opened in the heart of London’s 2012 Olympic district of Stratford.

The ‘Public House’ has through the ages acted as a vital outlet for creative expression and exchange of ideas, leading to some of the world’s great cultural and intellectual renaissance.

Founder and proprietor Raja-Saddiq: Khan said: “D’Gaf aspires to continue the tradition of the ‘public house’ in the multicultural heart of London a contemporary venue which will include a Restaurant, Eastern inspired VIP Ghakhar room, Shisha Terrace, Performance Stage and Private Members Area. Our aim is to provide a platform for alternative artistic expression; from Underground Hip Hop to Open House Discussions and Comedy Shows.”

Hip Hop artist, Lowkey, the UK’s most innovative beat box and flute performer, Nathan Lee, one of Britain's leading stage magicians, Michael Vincent and celebrated comedian, Romesh Ranganathan all attended the opening.

In the coming months D’Gaf will provide some of London’s most cutting edge performances; ranging from underground Hip Hop and slam poetry to open house discussions and comedy shows.

D’Gaf’s unique combination of London’s rich, diverse and international heritage will cement the venue as a focal point of Stratford as the borough becomes a focal point for the capital’s Olympic dream.

BEAUMONT FC: UK BANGLADESHI CHAMPIONS 2011

Emdad Rahman: Beaumont FC proudly holds the crown of the Best Bangladeshi team in the UK after winning a showpiece tournament at Bartlett Park.

The UK Bangladeshi Championship was hosted by the Bangladesh Football Association (BFA) and teams from Oldham, Birmingham, Essex and London participated in the invitation only competition.
Beaumont topped their early stage group to reach the final where they met Birmingham – a team they had previously defeated in the same final in 2005.

Beaumont took command of the final from the off with Shahed Ahmed and Dobir Miah's domination of midfield paying dividends. Midway through the first half, Shahed's 30 yard low drive hit the back of the net to put his team ahead.

Beaumont secured the Championship when Thanvir Chowdhury cleverly flicked the ball over two defenders before volleying a wonder goal into the top corner.

Shahed Ahmed unsurprisingly received the player of the tournament award.

Manager Mamun Choudhury said: “It’s been a great day of football. The spirit and camaraderie between the participating teams has been super, whilst the fair play and standard of football has been impressive.

“I’m chuffed for my team. After playing Birmingham in the same final in 2005, we knew we were up against very worthy opponents, so to repeat the trick is extra satisfying for us."

Madina Travels - open for business

Under the stewardship of Abdul Sattar Khan, Madina Travels have been serving Haj Pilgrims for 25 years.
The travel firm recently opened their new branch in Whitechapel. Haj and travel packages are now managed by Mr Khan’s son Abdul Hadis Khan and his nephew Shalim Khan.
Madina travels are now based at 297 Whitechapel road, London E1 1BY – 020 7426 0624.

Respected community activist passes away

Respected community activist Alhaj Mohammed Ashab Ali has passed away.

Mr Ali who hailed from the village of Dattarail, Dhakadakshin, Golapgonj, lived most of his life at Welstead House, Cannon Street Road, London E1.

Mr Ali's packed funeral took place at the East London Mosque.

Tributes flooded in as worshippers packed in to pray and pay their final respects.

"My Father was a man who was respected by family and friends," said his Daughter Firuza.

"He encouraged us to work for good," she added.

Mr Ali was laid to rest at Forest Gate Cemetery.

United with Norway

Tranquil land of Thorsvedt,
Solksjaer, Riise
Shattered by a madman's foray
A nation not alone in grief
We stand united with Norway

Number7
(c) Emdad Rahman
http://www.football-poems.com/

Dedicated to those that lost their lives so tragically on 22 July 2011.

Copa America Final 2011

Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay

Second final in two decades
For El Maestro Tabarez
Opening gambit deflected
By El Pistolero Suarez

Exquisite craft from Liverpool
Brilliance from the Red man
Second grafted by Rios
Whistled past Villar by Forlan

Muslera bought out the crossword
Coates with the artistry of Tamayo
Lou's header for Forlan's brace
Silver heads to Montevideo

Sky Blue win the record fifteenth
Lugano holds aloft the silver
Merriment at Monumental
La Celeste take home the Copa

Number7
(c) Emdad Rahman

www.football-poems.com

Sunna Musk

I'm not the getaway driver nor is this a CCTV pic of me making a dash with the goodies. I've been called a white van man though :)

These boys have some of the best smellies around. It's well worth a visit to the stall in Ilford Exchange, the Whitechapel shop, or van store. Pop in and say hi to the boys.

Visit the website here...

Today's Origami

Canoe & Tulips...

Swans...

Today's Origami

Arctic weather not enough to spoil the fun for these Vibrant Penguins...

Blooming Tower Hamlets

St Katherine's Foundation - Limehouse...

King Kenny adds another piece to Liverpool jigsaw

Liverpool - Alexander Doni is just what Kenny Dalglish was looking for

By Emdad Rahman

Original article  - Liverpool have been rather busy in the transfer market of late with noises from Anfield still suggesting that there could be more exciting new additions to Kenny Dalglish’s squad before the start of the new Premier League.

After the £20 million capture of England winger Stewart Downing, the Red Army are now treated to the more humble signing of Brazilian keeper Alexander Doni, 31, from AS Roma after Dalglish earmarked the Brazilian as the perfect back up to Pepe Reina.

Doni thus becomes the fifth Brazilian to sign for one of England’s biggest clubs. Despite the free transfer, Doni initially dithered over taking a sizeable drop in his salary.

Speaking to Il Tempo Doni said: “I have only received an official offer from Liverpool but I could not accept those conditions. I would have had my salary cut by 60 per cent.

“After signing a five-year contract extension with Roma in 2008 and having given a knee for Roma’s cause, I am unwilling to give away money.”

Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We are delighted to sign Doni. It's a position we felt we had to strengthen because it will allow our young goalkeepers to go on loan and get some experience at some point during the season, which is crucial in their development.

"We are getting a very experienced goalkeeper who is used to handling the pressure of big games and international matches with Brazil. He had a very good end of last season with Roma, so we are very pleased."

Comolli added: “It’s a position we felt we had to strengthen because it will allow our young goalkeepers to go on loan and get some experience at some point during the season, which is crucial in their development.”

So what can Liverpool fans expect from Doniéber Alexander Marangon? Here are some facts about King Kenny's latest recruit.

-Doni joined Roma from Juventude and has joined Liverpool despite being under contract until 2013. He served as number two to his compatriot Julio Sergio during Roma’s last Serie A campaign, making 16 appearances during the season.

-At Corinthians he won the 2002 Brazilian Cup and Rio-Sao Paulo Tournament, as well as the Sao Paulo State Championship in 2003.

-Doni is a big stopper who is enormously experienced at the highest level, mainly through his stint at the Stadio Olympico and the national team for which he made his 2007 debut against Turkey in Dortmund.

-Liverpool’s new warden of the penalty area has represented Seleção Brasileira de Futebol 10 times and won the 2007 Copa America, proving talismanic as he saved three penalties (two during the semi final win over Uruguay) during Brazil’s victorious march to success in the Finals.

-Whilst plying his trade in the Eternal city, Doni played with Alberto Aquilani and John Arne Riise. He won two Copa Italia’s during 179 appearances for Roma.

Stewart Downing: Fascinating facts

Liverpool - All you need to know about Stewart Downing

By Emdad Rahman

Original article  - Liverpool have been crying out for a quality wing man since the days John Barnes galloped down the left flank whilst tearing the opposition to shreds.

With Kenny Dalglish looking to the past in moving forward, Liverpool went all out to secure a talismanic winger, striking a deal with Alex McLeish’s Villa for Stewart Downing.

And there you have it – a no frills, bonafide, old fashioned inside left/winger. "A sensational find," said Portugal and Lazio star Fernando Couto after a 2005 battering by Boro in 2005.

Downing and Adam Johnson are the best English wingers in the country and his accurate left peg and pace down the flanks will be instrumental in supplying the required ammunition to Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Kenny Dalglish cut short his Malaysia trip with the club to return to Liverpool ahead of completing his latest star signing.

With the Reds still in the market for further reinforcements, there is the mouth watering prospect of Downing being joined on the flanks by a right sided raider.
 

Here’s a few facts about the Liverpool new boy:

-Downing grew up on the Pallister Estate and grew up supporting Middlesbrough FC.

-He joined Boro as a child, graduating from the Academy as one of the clubs brightest young talents.

-Downing’s first goal for was in a 4-1 win for Boro over Brentford in the League Cup.

-Last season Downing scored the first Barclays Premier League goal of the season against West Ham United.

-One of the wingers career highs is his remarkable performance in Boro's amazing comeback against Steaua Bucharest in the 2005 UEFA Cup.

-The incisive Downing travelled as back up to Joe Cole at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, appearing against Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago.

-He is known as a man who is quite shy and quiet. However Downing has a very deafening and often ear splitting hobby – he is a DJ in his spare time.

-Downing chose Liverpool despite interest from Champions League qualifiers Arsenal.

-With 135 – Downing completed more crosses in open play than any other top-flight player last season.


-Ex Liverpool Star Steve McManaman is amongst many supporters that have lauded the former Villa man as an ideal player for the Reds. 

GMF tribute to a Reds legend: Phil Thompson

Liverpool - European glory was Phil Thompson's finest moment

By Emdad Rahman 

Original article - Do you dream of emulating the young lad who stands on the Kop and dreams of following in the footsteps of his on field heroes?

After his 17th birthday in 1971, a young Liverpudlian signs for his beloved Liverpool. Things can’t seem to get any better but this is just the start.

A year later the new boy makes his debut in a low key game – against bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With the Reds cruising at 2-0 Bill Shankly brings on the newcomer for John Toshack to help tighten the backline and consolidate the lead. As things turn out Emlyn Hughes gallops up to score a third.

Phil Thompson did all and more, amassing 7 League titles, an F.A Cup, three League Cups, six Charity Shields, two UEFA Cups and three European Cup medals during the Red 70s and 80s.

Thommo carved his own niche at Liverpool by first displacing Larry Lloyd, and then shunting Tommy smith to full back.

With the League and UEFA Cup in the bag in 1973, Thommo played the game of his life to stifle Malcolm MacDonald during the victorious 1974 F.A Cup Final.

Thommo unluckily missed out on a European Cup winner’s medal in 1977 through injury, but returned for the win against FC Bruges.

By 1979 he was partnering a new stopper named Alan Hansen and had replaced Crazy Horse as club captain.

His greatest moment in a Red shirt followed as the young boy who stood on the Kop lifted the European Cup after Liverpool dispatched Real Madrid in Paris in 1981.

By 1982 Thommo had been replaced as skipper by Graeme Souness. After losing his central defensive berth to a young Mark Lawrenson he was sold to Sheffield United in 1985, retiring aged 31, before returning as one of Kenny Dalglish’s coaches.

In 1998 he became Gerard Houllier’s Assistant and the diehard Red enjoyed a brief dalliance with the Liverpool hotseat when Houllier was ill.

Thommo, who pulled on the England shirt 42 times, is a regular Visiting Fellow at Liverpool University.

He has always been a larger than life character, be it as a loud and energetic pundit or during his playing days where his oversized nose led him to be fondly labelled Pinochio. Thommo even titled his autobiography “Stand Up Pinochio.”

Bob Paisley once said: "I regard Phil as one of the best possible examples of a true professional.

"His greatest asset as a player is his ability to read the game, he showed that gift even as a teenager.

"He is not the biggest man physically for his role in defence but his football brain is outstanding."

At Liverpool he joins Steven Gerrard, Souness and Hughes in an exclusive band of captains who have bought the European Cup back to Anfield – and who will always remain unforgettable at Anfield.

You're hired

The winner of the first series of hit BBC show 'The Apprentice' shared top business tips with Hackney students.

Tim Campbell spoke to 200 young people from seven borough schools about the importance of mentors in his life.

Tim, who went on to carve out a successful career as a social entrepreneur and motivational speaker after winning a £100,000 a year job with Lord Sugar, also encouraged the students to make contacts and keep networking. He said: "Mentoring is a fabulous opportunity for young people and it was great to see so many potential future entrepreneurs at the event today."

The 16 June event at St John-at-Hackney Church, E5, was the finale of the Hackney Schools' Mentoring Programme (HSMP), a project that sees businesspeople from the City of London volunteer their time to offer advice to Year 10 pupils over the course of an academic year.

The scheme offers students support with key skills like CV writing and interview techniques, as well as organising social events such as ice-skating.

Set up in 1996 by the East London Business Alliance (ELBA), the programme aims to help Hackney young people get ready for the world of work, increase their self-confidence, improve academic performance and raise aspirations.

Mentoring takes place after school, with mentors receiving training, followed by support sessions, advice and feedback from HSMP.

‘BREAK A LEAD’

Illustration (BA) Degree Show - UWE (University of the West of England)

Tuesday 12th – Sunday 17th July

http://www.breakalead.co.uk/

Monday (closed)

Tuesday – Friday:  11am – 7pm

Saturday: 11am – 9pm

Sunday:  11am – 4pm

Gallery in Redchurch Street

50 Redchurch Street

London E2

02077294949

Break-a-Lead brings you the latest and greatest from Bristol, the heart of British illustration. This year’s graduate exhibition from UWE Bristol Illustration students encompasses a wide variety of styles and approaches, embracing both traditional and contemporary practices.

All artists work starts from the humble beginnings of a lead pencil, but quickly grows into new, inspiring and diverse avenues. Break-a-Lead demonstrates this, presenting a collective of driven, exciting and passionate artists united in their enthusiasm and talent for their craft. The Artists take pride in their diversity, but are unanimous in their ambition and expertise. They are bold, they are brave: they are Break-a-Lead.

The UWE Illustration programme is unique as it places equal emphasis on both technical training and personal style, nurturing each student’s individual approach to the subject. It has a long history of success and is highly regarded within the industry, with students frequently winning awards such as the MacMillan and Penguin/Puffin prizes. 

Students go on to work in all areas of the visual arts, from the animation industry to curatorship. UWE Illustration is proud to present its latest up and coming graduates, and invites you to sample Bristol’s brightest and boldest artistic delights this July at the Gallery in Redchurch Street

This year a number of students in the group were highly commended at the MACMILLAN PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS including Jay Wright who came third. Jay is also the winner of the prestigious Ligatura Comics festival. Other members of the class worth noting are:

- Chloe Giordano who was highly commended at the Penguin Design competition

- Ben Goodman who was accepted into the Association of Illustrators annual TFL exhibition in Covent Garden

- Kate Baylay who is now working on a large commission for the prestigious Folio Society

- Liam Barrett is now producing regular commissions for East London’s NoBrow publishers.

Today's Origami

Duelling Sumo's, Elton John Ray Bans & Tropical Goldfish...

Aftermath

Aftermath brings together a new series of works by Adam Gray and Sarah Kogan inspired by two of the most dramatic and overwhelming events in the past hundred years. 

The aftermath of a tsunami and the devastation wrought by the battle of Passchendaele, one of the major offensives of the First World War, are explored through abstract imagery,yet leaving space for the underlying narratives to permeate the paintings.

4th July to 10th July.

www.vynerstreetgallery.co.uk

'119'

The winner of studio1.1's 2010 Lottery Show draw, Neal Morley will be showing paintings that circle the line that divides abstraction and landscape. With a focussed interest in the formal aspects of painting, colour, composition, surface texture, the frame, his work shifts easily between modes: alongside a strong element of the abstract, the interest also plays out in a formalised presentation of landscape and still life. Sometimes incorporating found materials which ground the work literally within that landscape, at other times the relationship is more poetic. The landscape and what composes it – the volteface between exterior and interior worlds.

His use of rough wooden panels and rusted metal, materials from a natural world already transformed by an industrialised one, returns them to an environment where contemplation, and dialogue with the viewer, are fostered by a balance as dynamic as it is formally secure. It is perhaps this sophisticated fluctuation between the material and the lyrical that leads Morley to title the show after his winning lottery ticket...

There is no contradiction between the small 'realistic' depictions of his local fields and the larger compositions where the land becomes schematic, any more than a map denies the mountain. The wood and metal elements are formal parts of the composition yet have been made, acted upon by the very intangible elements that make up the landscape of their origin. Rain and wind and natural decay - their patina is accepted not (just) as pure decoration or colour but as fundamental witness to the passing of time and the action of the elements. The real world paints itself and Morley matches it. Finding something is the key - finding the right piece of wood or metal, the right colour, hitting the right note - being true to the landscape as only an intimate can.

Guess who's mate it as a fridge magnet?

I've arrived...

Blooming Tower Hamlets

Greaves Cottages...