Bungeroosh in Brighton's Arty Magazine

Winter Issue 2010

With three weekends of Christmas Artists' Open Houses to look forward to, there's really no excuse not to wrap up your gift buying with some affordable art. And if you are not sure where to start looking, turn to p7 which previews a few of the best and most interesting Open Houses in Brighton this Christmas!

The Bungeroosh Gallery
Check out this popular and atmospheric Open House by the sea, showcasing 18 local artists' work, for inspired art and gifts for Christmas.

Little Wing Shakes a tail feather!

The birth of Little Wing Accessories

Pippa trained in Ceramics and Visual Research at the University of Brighton 2002. After PGCE training she went on to work teaching Ceramics and Art at various schools, colleges and community projects around Brighton.

In the summer of 2009 Pippa Forester travelled to Australia. In a village in the hills of New South Wales she found some beautiful, delicate emu feathers and a local craftsman helped her to turn them into earrings. On her return to England she began to think how the same idea might work with our native bird feathers. Sourcing striking iridescent duck and pheasant feathers from a Hampshire company and using the same technique she used in Australia, Pippa began making earrings, working with the natural beauty of the feathers, complementing and enhancing their colours and shapes with glass, bone and metal beads. Inspired by traditional Morris dancing costume, the pheasant tail headdress was the first headdress she made but was quickly followed by other designs using a huge range of different feathers and Indian braid.

Her first exhibition of this work,  as part of the First Avenue Collective at an open house in Brighton Christmas 2009,  was great success. She began selling her work at Handmade, a contemporary craft and art fair in early 2010. In the summer of 2010, the organisers of Handmade, together with local artists and craftspeople, opened a cooperative shop in Kemp Town in Brighton. 

The Autumn/Winter of 2010 sees her work on sale at Pearl and Queenie, a beautiful jewellery boutique in Hastings Old Town. Pippa will also be exhibiting at the Bungeroosh Gallery, a bold and exciting Open House running at weekends throughout December at 25 Marine Square, Brighton. She will also be selling work at Brighton's Second Hand & amp: Craft Bazaar and Handmade Christmas Market both at Komedia on the 5th and 12th  of December respectively.

Charlie High is Made 2010!

Charlie High is still in the thick of it trying to get gallery

orders out. She currently supplies other galleries in Brighton including

IO in Sydney St and Julian Stephens in Gloucester Rd.

http://www.julianstephens.com/

She is also doing Made '10 next week:

http://www.made10.co.uk/

19th-21st November, Corn Exchange, Brighton

MADE 10 returns to the beautiful Corn Exchange in the heart of Brighton offering the public the opportunity to buy original and exceptional design and craft from the best local and national makers. It also provides space for the designer / makers to sell direct to the public and to build a relationship with buyers, potential buyers, galleries and craft suppliers.

Charlie's acorn pieces continue to be very popular along with the new

geometric range. She also have some beautiful semi-precious beads which she

shall be incorporating into bold and flamboyant necklaces for Bungeroosh Gallery,

christmas open house!

Wake Up Your Make Up!

Sobhan Collett will be a resident Make-Up artist at the Bungeroosh Gallery for this Christmas show. She's a professional make-up artist with years of experience. She also runs a number of local workshops.

It's a drop in set up so just come by and have a half hour session for £10 or book a longer one directly with Siobhan. It's really useful to have an overhaul on how you do your make up.

I know I've been doing mine (exactly) the same for years. The old boat race needs a little more careful application of make up these days to hide the increasing crumpled look. A look I used to have just in the mornings but now extends through much of the day. Don't get me started on sleep creases. The man in doors (or more endearingly called "the man in the bunker") will groan and call me vapid.

Also Siobhan makes you try all the techniques she shows you so you don't look great for a night and immediately forget afterwards how to recreate it.

I actually did a session in May and learnt how to do smokey eyes which can look daft on a woman in her 40's at the best of times. But, she achieved what I thought was impossible! I didn't look like mutton, a tranny or like I had been punched in the face. After four decades of never knowing how to apply eye shadow and never daring to try, I now have a handle on it! Now all I need is the time, the inclination and an a reason to do it!

So come on ladies (and gents, why not), give it a whirl. She does face painting for kids too and burlesque looks!

Peculiar Vintage - Red or Dead!

Red magazine have recently featured Stef Warde's Peculiar Vintage jewellery and her love tag necklace is now a best seller.

The necklace will be on sale for a 10 % discount at Bungeroosh this Christmas. Drop in and have a look around the gallery from the 27th of November, open for three weekends only. Take a look at the pics uploaded.

For more information:

Check Stef's jewellery out on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peculiar-Vintage/124571304264396?ref=mf

or her blog:

http://www.peculiarvintage.co.uk/category/blog/

Lieber tot als rot!

Talking of world war II anti communist slogans devised by Goebbels, re-invented by lefty UK shoe manufacturer in the 80's, what ever happened to Red or Dead?

I had an amazing pair of shoes I bought from them in Camden market in the day...in my "Salad days".

Two tone. Platform. Brown. Patchwork, matching hand bag!

I kept them for 10 years until they got so high smelling I had to (reluctantly) bin them. I am sure a few unfortunate dates got a wif of cheese on more than one occasion. Talking of high. Rob was happy about their departure. I'm 5 foot ten and he doesn't like me wearing heels. Means I am taller than him. What's with that? Some "new man" he is.

Sorry, very banal. It's only November and I'm scraping the bottom for interesting things to say. Unless you people start talking to me or sending me stuff, it's gonna get a lot worse!

News from Carola Del Mese and Lux & Love

Thought you might want to know a little more about Lux & Love’s jewellery that has been selling successfully for the last 2 years at London and Brighton’s boutique tattoo shops, Into You:

http://www.into-you.co.uk/devils_own.php

as well as Brighton’s Hope & Harlequin, Made in Hastings, Wickle in Lewes and online stores Ecoboutique:

http://www.ecobtq.com/content/view/121/86/

and Dollydagger.

Designer and maker Carola Del Mese uses 80 – 90% reclaimed materials. She raids the brass bins at the metal recycling centre which she uses to make the unique and handmade elements, and recycles genuine vintage charms and necklaces, reusing the carefully selected semi precious stones and pearls.

This Christmas sees the launch of Lux & Love’s new creations, which feature themed collections of necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings starting with Ali Baba’s Arabian nights, Sailor Jerry’s tattoo parlour and Time for tea!

Lux and Love has collected vintage and antique charms, altered them & re-cast them in brass, mixing them with jewels and nuggets to make unique and limited edition pieces.

Themed collections for the future include Crown Jewels, Circus and Safari.

Teapots

Carola has been recently approached by the Kamm Foundation (the largest collection of artist non functional teapots) housed in its own museum in California. The founders have expressed an interest in buying some of Carola’s work.

More news coming: Stef Warde's Peculiar Vintage Jewellery featured in Red magazine and her best seller! 10 % discount on these Red Magazine pieces for Bungeroosh Gallery customers.

Art Angels & Typos!

Liz Toole has recently sold two of her prints to a card company. They are being published by Art Angels and will be available in galleries and shops all over the UK, including The Bungeroosh Gallery!!

I've posted two pics of them here.

On Typos!

I thought I'd also take this opportunity to share a classy typo with you (one of many in my life) that will be hard to live down but, nevertheless, very funny.

In an email, I recently requested that all my artists would need to do a minimum of two shits during the Bungeroosh Gallery exhibition! Strange kinda request, weird even, you might think!

I was, naturally, referring to the need for everyone to do two SHIFTS to help run the gallery. Anyway, Maria reckoned it would be funny if I add it to the blog.

Here's a few responses in italics. Worryingly, Su didn't notice my reference to minimum required bowel movements, Siobhan prefers it that way (weirder still) and I think Tanya is clearly concerned about my sanity but... she has a point:

Hi Lou, I will choose my shit nearer the time, far too soon for me to decide on shits!

Hope you are recovering sanity.Tanya La Mantia x

I prefered the shits. Siobhan Collett

Hi, Loved your email, you said shits instead of shifts.

I've had an awful day and it made me laugh ! x Liz Toole

It made me laugh a lot! XXX Sarah Ketelaars

No worries... the shits flew over my head! ... so to speak!
xxxx Su Breakwell

I don't have any shits do I? Siobhan Collett

Signing off

Two Shits-Lou

A Bungeroosh Christmas to you!

I'm going to say this really dull platitude even though I know every mortal on the planet says it this time of year but jesus (?!!) how did Christmas come around so soon? Feels like I only just got over the stress of the last one and it's looming again.

Anyway, I finally got around to getting the front of the flyer done. This year Hayley is at the "illustrator" controls with a few (probably) bum, cliched steers from me like "can it be black and white" and "I want whispy trees and snow and a warm glow coming from the windows". Anyway, blimey, she's done everything I asked. So, what do you think? I like it. But I would, wouldn't I?

So, I was wanging on about trying to have a few less artsist this year to someone (can't remember who) and I 've wound up with the same number again. The idea was to have a few less artists and give everything a tiny bit more space. I know. I know. But who wants to visit an open house with one or two exhibits rattling around in some one's front room? Christmas shows aren't about minimalism. Surely it goes against the whole ethos of Christmas with all the lights, tinsel and gratuitous materialism! Anyway, I have worked out a new layout that will make it even easier to look round. That said, most visitors love the eclectic curiosity shop nature of the Bungeroosh Gallery at Christmas and many come back several times during a show so we must be doing something right. I've got some plans for a new display installation in the ground floor bay window but will let you know when I've got more of a handle on it. I can hear the man indoors groan from here. Not the seven foot trees... and astro turf....in the house...again!!

Artists: The regulars, the newcomers and all women!

Many regulars are showing this Christmas with some new and provocative work. Maria is doing some more of her amazing embroidery and graffiti pieces which sold well in May. As ever, we will have an array of her popular and unusual vintage animal cushions. Maria says her clothes range will focus on the festive season with her unique brand of vintage capes, muffs and dresses.

Capes are big this season (it must be true, I read it in Grazia)! In truth, I'm not sure I understand fashion advice anymore. There don't appear to be any truly distinctive waves and or trends in fashion anymore. The "every thing's in this season" feels more accurate. I digress. If you are not convinced about capes (going a little bit more up market) the Observer magazine had a fashion spread unimaginatively and crassly titled "Go ape for a cape this winter"! Seriously though, Maria's vintage capes are utterly unique with her trade mark touches like retro pom poms and feathers, not too mention the retro muffs! They are really worth checking out.

Su Breakwell who was nominated for best artist in the May HOUSE Open 2010 says she has got some beautiful new framed paper cutting art (see the dandelion above), models under original Victorian bell jars and some recycled hanging glass tea lights underway.

We've got some some newcomers too that I am really excited about. Pippa Forster (Little Wings Accessories) agreed to show some of her audacious feather headdresses and earrings which are utterly unique and quite beautiful. I'll be posting more about Pippa and her feathers.

Carola del Mese, also a prop maker for opera and theatre by trade, will be showing a few of her unusual teapot sculptures made from recycled pewter tea pots, some of which are functional clocks so could make for a really distinctive gift. Carola will also be showing her Lux&Love vintage jewellery collection.

Anyway, that's a bit of info to get you intrigued.

Keep checking in to see and hear more about the 18 artists and their work. I'll be posting news as we build up to our opening on the last weekend in in November!

Cheers, Lou

Bungeroosh gallery featured on Brighton Festival Radio

With the May festival over and (most) work and display stuff taken down in my home, I have finally had a chance to update the Bungeroosh blog with a few bits of news.

The Bungeroosh Open House had over 100 visitors per day and from what I can gather form the questionnaires left in the gallery and general positive feedback, people thought it was a real success and amongst one of the best houses in the area. The house did amazingly well in sales so congratulations to all the artists.

Quotes from the questionnaires and direct feedback include:

"inspirational", "a real sense of community", "eclectic mix and beautifully displayed","great hospitality", "a wide range of art & craft, beautiful house and sensitively displayed", "the best open house I have seen this May and I've seen more than 10 this year", "outstanding" and no, I didn't make them all up!

I have attached a link if you want to hear interviews with the artists which was broadcast several times on Brighton festival Radio. Click on this link and select The Bungeroosh Gallery 2010 interview link. Thanks to Vaska for choosing Bungeroosh and putting together a really positive piece on us and Open Houses.

http://www.mixcloud.com/Vaska/

Su Breakwell was nominated for best artist in the end, narrowed down from 100's of entries. Her amazing Hibaku tree exhibited in the house on the final weekend.

I have put some photos up of the gallery for all those who didn't come to see the giant hub cap flowers on the balcony, the fake grass and the 7 foot trees I put up in my front room! The trees are still here. My husband (and the cats) quite like them.

Not sure what my scaffold riggers and builders make of a bunch of trees in the living room and haven't quite had a chance to explain it yet.

Tina Tighe selected for HOUSE open - art and craft made from recycled materials

I want to turn all this trash that we all keep filling the planet with into something natural and positive again, so, I try to just use recycled materials. I have been inspired by my visit to Africa where the African people have an ingenious ability to reuse everything! Nothing goes to waste. I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to go too far to source my materials and that everyone can join the cause and be creative with old rubbish, turning it into something new and unique.

Written by Tina Tighe

If you want to find out more about how to turn everyday rubbish into art check out the Bungeroosh Gallery's CHILDREN'S RECYCLING WORKSHOPS Sat mornings in May 10 - 11 am 5 yrs +£5 per child. Ssee the website for details: www.bungerooshgallery.co.uk

Suzanne Breakwell - The Hibaku tree selected for HOUSE open!

The Japanese word Hibaku translates as ‘something that has experienced a nuclear bomb.’ This sculpture/papercutting  is a representation of a weeping willow that survived and re-grew after the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6^th 1945. The tree itself stands 370 meters away from what is known to be the hypocentre of the blast. After the complete devastation the bomb left there was much speculation if the city could regenerate. 

One Manhattan Project scientist told the Washington Post the land “will be barren of life and nothing will grow for 75 years.” But the very next spring various species of trees budded. The indomitable vitality of the trees offered a much needed symbol of hope to the citizens of Hiroshima. Seeing this new life they took courage and realized that they too had the ability to rebuild, recover and regenerate.

 All components of this piece have been locally sourced & reclaimed, breathing new life in to the redundancy of these objects.

Written by Suzanne Breakwell

Bungeroosh Gallery artist Helen Cann is selected for HOUSE open 2010

Following the recent success of three Bungeroosh Gallery artists being selected for HOUSE Open in the festival of Artists Open Houses in Brighton this May, I asked each of them to send me some background information on their work and some stills for the blog. The first is Helen Cann, enjoy!

Helen Cann - rules of graffitti and regeneration

I’m interested in language, both verbal and non-verbal. Much of my acrylic work makes use of lettering and design and I often make pastiches of familiar printed ephemera – old posters, adverts, playing cards, book jackets etc…

I was interested in looking at the language and design rules of grafitti in the paintings made for the Bungeroosh gallery. Seemingly ruleless, grafitti has distinct types of lettering, design rules, language and codes of conduct. I wanted to contrast its anarchy and connection with the contemporary city with old myths and legends associated with the wild ancient forests – Little Red Riding Hood, The Green Man, Herne the Hunter and Titania, Queen of the Fairies.

The work displayed in HOUSE, at the Regency Townhouse in Brunswick Square has the theme of regeneration. I’m exhibiting a set of happy family cards based around the design rules and lettering of an old traditional pack that my grandmother used to own. Instead of using the traditional tradesmans’ families (butchers, bakers, sweeps etc) I was interested in the different “tribes” that people belong to now – the substitute families of people you spend time with in cafes, bars, at work…

Lastly, I’m a resident artist for one night only (8^th May) at Residence, a pop-up restaurant on Whitecross St, open for the duration of the festival. I will be making a piece based on an 18^th century fan design but using the contemporary restaurant and its customers as part of the image. Fans were used to communicate in code and I’ll be watching the non-verbal body language that inevitably happens when groups of people get together!

Written by Helen Cann

Three Bungeroosh Gallery artists selected for HOUSE open!

As some of you may know, I am currently stranded in Chicago due to volcanic activity in Iceland. You can't know how weird it  is to say that or how weird it was to hear that at the airport. I thought they were joking!

Anyway, despite not being home to accept delivery of 25 meters of fake grass (like you do), I did hear some great news from three of The Bungeroosh Gallery artists which I thought you might be interested to hear.

Tina Tighe, Helen Cann and Suzanne Breakwell have been selected for the HOUSE open competition and have been invited to exhibit in the Regency Town House. Amazing! I am really very excited for them and hope to put up some stills on the blog shortly. 

It's  also great publicity for The Bungeroosh Gallery and another really good reason to come by in May and check out some unique and very talented local artists.

Welcome to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Kemp Town’s Bungeroosh Gallery.

Unique and affordable art and craft at The Bungeroosh Gallery, all weekends in May, Brighton Festival of Artists Open Houses 2010

Following the success of my Christmas Artists Open House, I am opening The Bungeroosh Gallery again for the May Festival (for the first time over two floors) with work inspired by a modern twist on the theme, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Not to be missed are the giant hubcap flowers which we plan to mount on the balcony and railings of the house, made by local recycle artists Tina Tighe and Su Breakwell. Other highlights include a unique tree installation on the first floor (along with with artificial grass floor) which will be hosting Liz Toole's birds painted on reclaimed wood.

Throughout April I will be posting information on progress of setting up the gallery and publishing a little information on work in progress and stills about each artist exhibiting this May to give you a taster of the forthcoming exhibition. I have loaded up some stills to give you an idea of the range and quality of their work. I hope this will tempt you out of your virtual bubble to come tread the slightly eccentric, artificial grass and recycled flower strewn floors of our gallery/home and explore a really stunning range of art and craft. This includes ceramics, jewellery, textiles, photography, clothes, cushions, recycled gifts / art, collage, paintings and prints. Oh... and maybe try some amazing cakes made by my mother in law. What's life without cake!?

Events at The Bungeroosh Gallery, May 2010 (other good reasons to come by)

Events at the gallery this May include children’s recycling workshops (£5) and face painting (£4) on Saturday mornings between 10 – 11 am for 5 yrs+. Kids will be making anything from flowers to treasure boxes and puppets all made from recycled materials. First come first serve basis. Maximum 10 children. Parents will need to stay but while the kids get on making things you can take in the gallery and grab a cup of tea, cake or try some freshly baked tea breads with home made jams.

Wake up your make-up! We also have walk in, 30 minute "refresh your make-up routine", sessions for women with professional make-up artist Siobhan Collett (£10) Sat/Sun, 12 - 5.00pm. One hour sessions (£20) can be pre-booked on email address art@bungerooshgallery.co.uk

Finally, we will be offering some free live music from my in house musical fella and co host, film and TV composer Rob Lane (his recent credits include BBC’s Jane Eyre, Merlin, HBO's John Adams & feature film, The Damned United). Live music, based around the theme, will be informally performed with musicians and collaborators weekends of the 15^th and 29^th May. See our website and link to our blog throughout April for more details of events on May weekends: www.bungerooshgallery.co.uk.