Failaka – 20 years of Liberation

I’ve just found this footage, filmed for To Rest in Peace, (Fawaz Al-Matrouk) which captures the strangely beautiful silence of Failaka Island. It’s set against the song Salamun Salam, which won Best World Music Track at the 2010 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

I did an overnighter there in February, during the 50/20 celebrations. 20 years after Kuwait’s liberation, war ruins still stand alongside family homes which have been ransacked and stripped of valuable items over the years. Old toys, books and shoes lie in the dust, and remnants of classrooms fixtures still stand in the dormant school buildings – see photo album here.

Save The Arts – Shrigley

An ex student sent me a petition to save the arts – well worth a look. Visit Save The Arts for more info.

London to Kuwait

It’s been a while since I posted – after the Final Show at Camberwell it was a dash to the finish line with work and packing up to leave London after 8+ years for a job in Kuwait City. My illustration supplies won’t arrive for quite a few weeks, so a visit to the art shop is in order shortly. Meanwhile we’ve been out and about a little, and I spotted a lovely piece by US sculptor Dale Chihuly (whose 30′ chandelier is the centrepiece in the V&A foyer) here at 360 Mall.

MA Final Show – Private View

Here are a few scenes from the Camberwell MA private view on Tuesday evening – see more at the flickr group pool. There are quite a few shots up there already….

On a Reading Bender

Having finished the studies it’s time to take up reading fiction again (!) and celebrate some success stories from SCBWI circles… OK so some of these are aimed at younger people! Still, I’m looking forward to hearing about Sarah McIntyre’s Fern and Lettuce, (Sept 10) and will get my hands on one of Layn Marlow’s books next week when we catch up. Everyone is buzzing about Candy Gourlay’s new YA book, Tall Story, which has garnered an excellent review in the Times. Today I catch up with talented illustrator, Heather Kilgour in Charing Cross Road – the book selection at Foyles and good atmosphere in the jazz cafe makes for a perfect meeting spot.

2010 Camberwell MA Show dates

The Camberwell MA Visual Arts show is nearly here:
Private view: 13 July, 6 – 9pm

Show open: 14 – 17 July
Weekdays 10am – 8pm
Saturday 11am – 4pm
Sunday Closed

It’s at Peckham Road - Illustration is hanging in the old part of the school which retains a bit of Victorian charm. It’s easy to spot with good transport links – please see the MA Illustration blog for details.

Camberwell MA Illustration Show 2010

We’re getting preparations underway for the Camberwell MA Illustration Degree Exhibition next month and here are the dates, location, a list of exhibiting artists and info about Camberwell College, which is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL).

I came to the MA programme with a strong interest in narrative illustration so my research project is centred on picture book illustration – in particular, Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm.

Click on the image here for a less blurry view of H&G!

I’ve not made a final decision about what I’m exhibiting as the space is still being worked out. This may be the case for quite a few of the exhibiting artists – what you’re seeing on the blog is indicative of the work they will show.

There will be loads of photos taken at the show in July which will go up on Flickr for those who can’t make it. I think it’s fair to say we are quite a diverse bunch, so I hope you enjoy!