THE PATTERN CUTTERS
As you’ll have noticed, I haven’t posted anything here on my blog in a long time. I’ve finished the MA now; it’s all behind me. I’ve taken a few weeks to clear myself of the post-MA clutter and take stock of what’s next. And I’ve got a few projects going on, which I’ll be writing about here.
First up is my involvement in a really good new initiative, the Pattern Cutters. Pattern Cutters is a collective, which operates in a a venue that is an ex-pattern cutting warehouse near the Regent’s Canal in the Haggerston end of Shoreditch. The address is 242 Kingsland Road and it’s right on the canal – perfect for a weekend stroll.
Pattern Cutters was started earlier this year by Jake and Oli and it’s a little bit of Berlin here in East London. No, I mean it. It has the same DIY Berlin ethos that I loved when i was there, but with all the dynamic cosmopolitanism of London. It’s about fashion, it’s about art, it’s about collectibles, about books, about table tennis, about food. It’s far away from the tacky Britart vibe of the last decade.
There’s vintage fashion re-presented by guys who’ve worked for major labels; as well as collectible books of great literature and unusual oddities. Records! And yes, art – I’m in business here. Saturday and Sunday from 11 am til – well, as late as we want it to get. And there’s talk about all kinds of activities to come, from screenings to live performance.
So what am I up to there? Firstly, I’m testing different ideas with my potential audience. What do people think – about art, about my work, about life?
Then, I’m trying to get with the economic reality of trying to live as an artist. What do people value? What are they prepared to pay for?
Not only that. As well as showcasing my work to audiences and selling it, I’m occasionally inviting fellow artists to join me and try the same thing.
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And mainly I guess it’s about making contact. I’ve talked with more people, and had more debate, about art, about life and about my work in a weekend at the Pattern Market than I ever did on the MA or in most exhibition. That can only be a good thing!
Lastly, I’ve sold a few pieces so far; not much but enough to keep me coming back. I’ll try to keep it going as long as I can.
Being an artist without capital or family £ behind me – doing it on my own with no backup – it’s kind of like Russian roulette. It’s difficult, and you win some, you lose some.
Anyway, come along and check it out. Eat some Caribbean food, play some table tennis, buy something. Have a good time. See you there.
