The Collector, a film by Martin Hampton

"nobody does this" - indeed, watch this wonderful and sincere film about Christian - a collector and hoarder living in a town in Provence, France.   http://vimeo.com/666346

Kingdom of Old Slideshow

The Kingdom of Old Exhibition at Quay Arts is now over having had an amazing three weeks of creativity - the dust is settling and we are gathering our thoughts and organising the projects documentation. We have photographs, videos and sound recordings all to be collated and published. The first batch is now available as a slideshow of over 300 images documenting everyday of the project and can be seen here: Kingdom of Old Slideshow

MUMCHANCE & GUISE

 

Next Saturday I'll be taking part in the Procession detailed below & organised by  Matthew Cowan, Artist in Residence with Cecil Sharp House, home of the Englsh Folk Dance & Song Society.

Do come along if you get a chance - I'll be the one in the big spiky suit - yep the Brahan Man makes his debut south of the Scottish border - he was created in 2006 as part of my residency alongside Patrick Dogherty on the Brahan Estate near Inverness and gathers inspiration from traditional costumes & disguises native to the British Isles. Currently his costume is on show as part of Mumchance & Guise at Cecil Sharp House.

Mumchance and Guise: Procession and Performance

Saturday 31 October, from 4.15pm, free

This Procession and Performance is part of the archives and artefacts exhibition, 'Mumchance and Guise' at Cecil Sharp House. The event will begin at sunset (between 4.30 and 5pm) with a twilight procession of disguised performers and musicians from nearby Primrose Hill. The eclectic group will make the short walk to Cecil Sharp House, Trefusis Hall where a series of performances will take place.

Come in disguise and join the procession or simply watch the procession and following performances at Trefusis Hall. Artists from the Mumchance & Guise exhibition at Cecil Sharp House will showcase a series of performances that tap into the dark underbelly of folk customs and disguise, using essential folk elements in presenting new performances by contemporary artists from the UK and Europe.

Meet in your own disguise at 4.15pm at the top of Primrose Hill

Mumchance & Guise

Friday 25 September - Saturday 28 November

Open: Monday to Friday (and some Saturdays) 10am to 6pm

Admission free

How does a costume transform its wearer and when does the costume itself become a work of art? This new exhibition showcases artifacts from the English Folk Dance and Song Society archives alongside new works by contemporary artists.

The performance of folk dance and ritual inevitably involves costumes and forms of disguise. This camouflage enshrouds folk performers and transforms them, removing them from everyday existence, separating performer and community.

Most folk costumes are precious, unique, hand-made and purpose built objects. This new exhibition at Cecil Sharp House draws together some amazing costume artefacts from the EFDSS archives and shows them alongside costumes and performance works from contemporary artists whose work is concerned with tradition and folk ritual. The show emphasizes narratives of transformation, seasonal ritual, celebration and disguise whilst displaying some of the value of the archive collection at Cecil Sharp House.

Artists: Michelle Bloom, Megan Broadmeadow, Matthew Cowan, Gery Georgieva, Tim Johnson

Kingdom of Old

Hi folks - been busy with moving house, children, life, work, the universe - anyhow I've afew things to show you over the next few weeks so why not tune in !

I'm starting a new project on Monday with my mate Chris running at Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight - read all about it over here kingdomofold.blogspot.com/ at the dedicated blog.

Basketry Course on the Isle of Wight

Stop Press : Last few places available on my basketry course coming up at the start of August !

from the brochure :

Exploring the use of plant materials such as grasses, rushes and willow bark, this course with Tim Johnson will look to the outdoors for inspiration. These soft materials will be combined with home-grown willow to create contrast and strength. A variety of techniques will be explored including twining, coiling and plaiting and fitching.
The course is based at a school in Ryde where Tim has been developing the grounds with pupils as an educational resource over the last couple of years. Expect to see a vibrant project full of inspiration and growing sculptures.

Booking and further information here : Quay Arts

When in Derby........

Hi folks it's been a while ! Just to let you know that I have some paintings on exhibit as part of 'Shopping Trolley' at the Déda Derby Dance centre.
Images to follow.............

Nature unleashed - behind the barriers......

My current ongoing photography project In East Cowes in collaboration with Island 2000 can be found on their blog here.





Quoted from the Island 2000 blog :

As part of the ‘No Barriers’ project we’ve commissioned artist and photographer Tim Johnson to take a look ‘behind the barriers’. Over the past couple of months Tim has been exploring the special qualities of a ‘no go zone’, a large plot of land left behind for nature to re-colonise, before the re-development of East Cowes claims it back.

Tim comments:“I’m fascinated by the way nature is creeping back over the relics and remains of human habitation and industry. Although I’m a resident of Cowes I don’t know the area contained before its transformation - so I’m coming with fresh eyes wondering what the rubble and remains once were. Garden steps up to missing conservatories, park benches with no one to sit and car parks empty of vehicles forever.

Scrambling native brambles collaborate with escaping garden roses against a backdrop of crushed rubble and cracked paving. Wild Carrot and Lamb’s Ears decorate a miniature roundabout - the floral combinations presenting a curious botanical landscape speaking of its own history.”

After working digitally for several years Tim has returned to using film for this project. Using a recently acquired medium format camera Tim is enjoying the slowness of the activitiy and the concentration and focus required.

Tim’s photographs will be presented to the public on the Barriers revealing the hidden contained landscapes.

Here is the location c/o Google Earth