Artwest Gazette
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Open studios 21st - 22nd of September 2019 12- 6pm Free Event 41 studios in 7 buildings will show the diverse businesses within its area. Are there still creative skills in furniture making (The ArtWest would like to thank the OPDC Light Factory), glass sculpture (Danny Small Grants Scheme, which has also Lane’s famous studio), crafts, print, funded ‘Video Portraits’ of ArtWest artists painting, sculpture, photography and artists and makers, and an exhibition by film. Experience this great opportunity of ArtWest at the Collective Old Oak. working in visiting an incredible range of workspaces and meet the makers themselves in a London? relaxed and informal way. Some artists and makers are at the beginning of their careers while others Soledad by her paintings. YES! Welcome are award-winning stars at the top of their game. What can we do to to ArtWest get more studios in Open Studios Martina, Why do London? London NW10 you do art? Anna Gardiner: I can’t help myself. Recognise that 2019 Our newspaper presents 19 people who are all participants in the Open Studios. the arts are not a The question and answer format luxury! gives an insight into their lives (with a preponderance of pets, weird ways and startling admissions!) and the way they work within the NW10 light industrial areas of Hythe Road, Scrubs Lane and Harrow Road. June Bartlett: Don’t think I ever decided to become an artist – I just don’t remember ever Celia, do you cry in not drawing – all the time! your studio? No. This Newspaper is funded by OPDC Do you struggle? (Old Oak and Park Royal Development Constantly! Cor- poration), and seeks to show this inde- pendent community during a Celia, what time of change in a fun and provocative Asaki, if the world way. New plans to develop the area exercise do you have created feelings of uncertainty do? Climbing but the OPDC is keen to document and was only one colour Kat Lubar. what would it be? ultimately re-house where possible Ladders Transparent. Do you have any allergies? ArtWest Open Studios is in its 8th year. A voluntary organisation of creatives Stephen Williams: with studios in 7 buildings in NW10. Their doors will be open on Saturday 21 Yes, Jacob Reese- and Sunday 22nd September, 1-6pm. Free Entry! All are welcome. Mogg & Boris See map for locations. Johnson ART ART WEST WEST Duke lives with Peter Blegvad and finds his art ok. Read more on page 3. 2 ArtWest! How many nice clothes have you ruined in your studio because you didn’t wear protection? None. What exercise do you do? Sleep. Is art important? I think so. What do you dream of? To dream. What is the biggest problem in your studio? I can’t complain. What is the smallest problem in your studio? Electric design. What would you have done without I am Jeff’s owner. He is my head of your studio? Sales and Marketing and as such he Look for a studio. is very effective. He’s always happy to How do you get to work? receive visitors. By bus. What medium do you work with? William Warbrick Many! Which Building? If you weren’t an artist what would you The Light Factory. have done? What do you do? No idea. Cabinetmaker, all kind of bespoke Did you study art? furniture. Yes, sort of. What medium do you work with? Do you sleep in your studio sometimes? Wood, metal, cork, linoleum, leather, Often I have a nap. Perspex, silk, glass, Formica, paint.... What question would you like to ask How often at work? yourself? Every day. Asaki Kan Am I sleeping too much? What am I working on now? A large sliding door walnut sideboard If the world was only one colour which Do your parents like your art? with some beautiful handmade one should that be? Yes. wallpaper on the front, Japanese Transparent. What art piece do you wish you had Limited ‘Kintsugi’ inspired. In which building do you have your done? editions of Has my father been in my studio? studio? I do what I want to make. No neither of my parents have ever ACME. How long have you lived in London? come by, but they are up in North Asaki’s work Yorkshire so I understand. Why do you do art? Nearly 20 years. Why not? What piece of art do I wish I had done? What music do you listen to in your £100 this Do you come in to the studio daily? studio? None really, happy for others to. I’m always happy to ‘borrow’ ideas from Yes. Radio. weekend other cabinetmakers, as I’m sure they How can the art world in London Do you have a picture in your studio you did. get better? keep looking at, which is not your work? only What did you dream of last night? Keep going. No. Jumping out of the way of two trains.... What hours do you come in? Do you listen to radio? If so, what I made it. Whenever I want. channel? Does my pet like my work? Absolute. Do you work at night? He spends most of his time asleep on a Not often. Do you have friends who think you sofa I made, so I’d say yes! should get a proper job? What do you eat in the studio? Is my studio messy? No. Just tea. Rarely, everything has to have a place! Do you have a hobby? Do you ever cry in the studio? How long have you been working in Yes. Yes. London? Do you go for lunch nearby your studio? How did you get this studio? 20 years. No. My passion. Do you struggle? Do you have a job? Yes. As an artist. ArtWest’s Community Workshops Do you go to the gym? Which country are you from? Asaki Kan leading a plaster-casting No. Other planet. workshop at Kenmont Primary Is your art political? School. Do you have a cleaner? Contact: Not at all. No. [email protected] Is your studio messy or tidy? for more information on workshops. What are you working on now? Very messy. Read more on page 12. Anna Gardiner’s sign at Acme Studios A few. ArtWest! 3 Soledad Bustos-Moron Where is your studio? I’m in studio 8 in Harrow Road, ACME. PB recording images IMAGINED “When on looks into the darknesss there is always something there.” - W.B. Yeats How long have you been working there? I’ve had a studio in London since 1997, aware of them as influences looking at the time when there were still plenty Peter Blegvad over my shoulder when I work. of suitable properties for artist’s studios. What can we do to get more studios in Do your parents like your art? The situation at the moment is dire for London? artists trying to find a place to work in They were always encouraging and Artists are often in the first wave of the city. The basic need for an artist supportive even when they didn’t gentrification, improving the spaces is to have a space to work that is truly understand or approve. and neighbourhoods they occupy and affordable. It seems nowadays... mission then, when rents rise, being evicted for What art piece do you wish you had impossible. their trouble. As an alternative to this done? Where are you from? exploitative trend, artists should be Illustrations by Balthus to Wuthering Argentina allowed to use as studios ‘ghost’ homes Heights. (unoccupied ‘buy to leave’ properties Do you struggle? Do you have a picture in your studio you of which there are many thousands in keep looking at, which is not your work? To be an artist exposes you continually the capital) in return for light custodial to your own failures as the question Jeff having a break duties. I have books of work by Kiki Smith, Paul of quality and purpose in what you’re Klée, Picasso, Joseph Cornell, Balthus doing is constant. We usually have big In which building do you have your and others which I consult regularly. studio? egos that sustain us from criticism and If you have children, do your children Hythe Road, studio 12. judgement, which is an essential part hate your work or love it? of the art profession-business. There Peter’s Why do you do art? I think ‘love’ might be a bit strong, but I are, in my case, brief moments of clarity ‘Must have the vent or die’ (Charles think they generally like and respect it. that justify why I’m doing this. You hang books £10 Olson). on to those moments like dear friends Do you have a hobby? and you thank your art teachers who only this Do you come in to the studio daily? If doing something for love rather than prepare you for the future, telling you to Several times a week, whenever for money is a hobby than most of what get rid of what you are doing and start possible. I do is a hobby. again. weekend How can the art world in London get Do you struggle? better? Constantly. Being less in thrall to fashion, status, Is your art political? and money would be a start. Oppositional by default. Do you have a job? Is art important? Art for sale! I taught for 20 years but am now retired. I still perform occasional gigs as a How ‘important’ are things like mystery, singer/songwriter. meaning or pleasure? I’d say art is GOOD crucial to our species.