Setting up 18 studios, Long Eaton, Nottingham

The papers are with the court. Allocation questionaire is filled in. http://fds.oup.com/www.oup.co.uk/pdf/n150.pdf

Went to an opening at Oldknows yesterday – “I can see your house from here”. An interesting show. I especially liked Yelena Povova’s small works based on Russian paintings. This morning was spent painting the Exhibition Space with a posse of artists and partners. There was enough of us to make light work of it and I was home just after lunch. In the meantime Jem was collating nearly 200 pieces of correspondance to hand over to the solicitor. It’s taken a few evenings and most of today. He’s grouped the letters etc into 7 different categories relating to the claim and the counter-claim and made a spreadsheet to help John. All I could do was help with filing. I have been sorting out images, short biog and statement for a group show, ‘At Plat 2’ at South Hill Park, Bracknell.

The dust is starting to settle after Stockholm and will be time to evaluate. Great first effort but there are definitely things we can do better!

We have employed a Rottweiler to take on the case and so we are no longer litigants in person. Jem and I have done the donkey work and the solicitor is impressed by our efforts. A relief in one sense, but of course costs become an issue. Unpacked my paintings today and given my studio a much needed sort-out. Jem had made a suitcase from ply to check-in at the airport. I was a bit nervous about BA taking it on board but it wasn’t a problem. In fact, on the return journey it was deemed ‘special luggage’ and was transported on a VIP conveyor belt to our plane.

‘The aspiring art fair has become a force to be reckoned with’ Global Art Magazine, Feb 2010 http://www.globalartmagazine.com/magazin.html?id_extern=10751&page=1&language=en Phew! Returned from Supermarket 2010 in the early hours of yesterday after an experience that counts in my top 10. It was brilliantly organised by artists in a fantastic location (think of the Barbican equivalent). We chatted with groups from Chicago, Helsinki, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – discussing potential projects and cultural exchanges for the future. It’s great to think HMS has gone from a seed of an idea to exhibiting in a premier venue in a major city – in less than 3 years. We discussed common issues and aspirations with artists from all over the globe – and there was genuine interest in the building and the set-up of HMS Ticket sales must have been huge even though the entrance fee was a tenner. Supermarket attracted people from all walks of life and different generations. We even met a couple from Nottingham who didn’t know about HMS. I can’t imagine such a prestigious venues in the UK handing over two floors to artists like this. I think we can learn a lot.