Briony Anderson at Edinburgh Art Festival

We’ve recently worked with Briony to present her beautiful oil on paper works for a show at Edinburgh Art Festival, ‘A Study for Raeburn’. Held at The Royal Society of Edinburgh from 5-7 August, the exhibition features a series of site specific paintings made in response to the portraiture of Sir Henry Raeburn (1756 – 1823). www.edinburghartfestival.com

Briony is also part of a current group show at Rollo Contemporary in London, ‘Old Masters Reinterpreted’. The show features five artists whose works ‘engage with the art of Old Masters in a contemporary fashion, re-envisaging key themes and images from the past with contemporary concerns’.www.rolloart.com

www.brionyanderson.com

Matt Roberts on Rosalind Davis

8000 souls part II

A relative novice to the Blogosphere Rosalind Davis' Blog illustrates an artist tentatively using the medium as a tool for self-critique, laying out her feelings about her work as it develops. Beyond the life of this project her blog exists as a living portfolio, as we, the reader are offered a window into the ideas that lay behind each piece as she juggles the pressures of life, work, and artistic ambition.

Rosalind's posts become more frequent as the process becomes more natural to her, and we gain an insight into how her work has been shaped by the community around her, as well as learning of her 'aristocratic' legacy, and adept climbing skills. Overall we see a picture of a talented and committed artist, making difficult practice-based and career decisions, whilst trying to remain financially stable, and a functioning person.

A narrative I'm sure we can all empathise with.

http://www.mattroberts.org.uk/

http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/533863

Assemblage promises to be the biggest event held at John Jones in 2009 showcasing work from invited contemporary designers, artists, bespoke makers, publishers, musicians, performers, food stalls and cocktail makers. Assemblage will be taking over the John Jones site which occupies 4 Warehouses in Finsbury Park housing our wood mill, printing studio, 4 exhibition spaces, and our live music Shutter Space. Assemblage brings together some of the most exciting talent in fine art, design and applied arts under one event.
RSVP samantha.watson-wood@johnjones.co.uk

Contemporary Photography – Bridget Coaker

Troika Editions

I have for a long time fantasised about running a photography gallery. So sometime in the middle of last year, sitting around with my business partner chewing over some ideas we hit upon the idea of a gallery without walls – an online contemporary photography space where we could pursue our passion for photography; support up and coming artists and perhaps influence the way art lovers and collectors could access really good artwork. And so after many months of planning, selecting work and designing the website, we launched Troika Editions in the Spring of 2009.

After Reynolds by Victoria Hall
[link for image - http://www.troikaeditions.co.uk/photographs/reynolds-after-raphael

We had some key ideas about how the site should look and work. Firstly we wanted it to be proactive, constantly providing fresh material for people to come and look at and hopefully buy. So every week we issue a newsletter and post up new work, sometimes showcasing a series by just one artist and sometimes exhibiting a selection of artists.

Next we wanted to expand the collecting audience, reach people who like the idea of owning art but have never felt comfortable going into a gallery to buy work. The intention is to appeal to people who are both net savvy and would like to start collecting artworks. We thought it be would really important to get the pricing right and so we introduced the idea of having three print sizes in different edition runs with the very affordable starting price of £35.

Thirdly we thought it was really important to provide information about the artwork and the artists who had produced it. Using the facilities the web can offer, we introduced video interviews, where each artist chats about how they make their work. We also post up short reviews and biographies and a light hearted Q & A where the artists reveal which music they would like played at their funerals.

Combined Unity #3 by Jo Holland [Link for image http://www.troikaeditions.co.uk/photographs/combined-unity-3

So we are three months in, and we are looking forward to an exciting future for us, our artists and our new collectors.

For more information go to www.troikaeditions.co.uk