The Secret Society - Sculptural Banquet by Kathy Dalwood

Kathy Dalwood's sculptures are reminiscent of a bygone era, mixed in with a bit of fantasy and with a dash of surrealism.  And in her latest exhibition, The Soane Suite at Pulzhanger Manor in Ealing is being transformed into a most unusual banquet - a banquet made entirely out of plaster.  

Here's a bit more about the Kathy Dalwood's upcoming exhibition:

This curious group is wearing extraordinary costumes that range from the stylish to the surreal, adorned with outrageous hats and unexpected accessories or unusual collars and cloaks. Their lavish dinner party has everything one could wish for – bowls of exotic fruit, magnificent multi-tiered cakes, decanters of wine and candelabra – only as with the guests all is immortalised in bright white plaster.
The Secret Society is the first solo exhibition of acclaimed London-based artist and designer Kathy Dalwood, and is the first time that her celebrated Plaster Bust collection has been shown in its entirety.

Following Sir John Soane's own liking for staging 'Gothic Banquets', Dalwood’s sculptural portrait busts reference sources ranging from Miss Havisham’s house to the Mad Hatter’s tea party, Marie Antoinette’s infamous soirées to classical bacchanalia, masked balls and Venetian carnivals. The mysterious associations are not stuck in the distant past however and also display the influence of the modernist avant garde and the world of extreme sculptural fashion.

Casting directly from real objects as diverse as model buildings, haberdashery and electrical components, these eclectic materials are sourced from  flea markets, model shops, fabric shops, hardware stores, charity shops and tourist souvenir stalls. Inventively combining and adapting these resources, Dalwood creates costumes, accessories, hairstyles and headgear that bring the tradition of the plaster bust into the 21st Century.

Speaking about the exhibition, Dalwood comments: “Pitzhanger Manor was designed for busts! There are niches, plinths and mantelpieces everywhere. But given that I perceive the busts as a group of strange, detached characters occupying their own world, I thought it would be interesting to stage an event for them, so I’m creating a bizarre banquet. […] I hope that visitors will be seduced by the expressive beauty of plaster as a material and that perhaps the busts will steer people’s interest towards figurative sculpture in general, of which there are so many – at times overlooked – diverse and captivating examples in the cities, parks, palaces, cathedrals and museums of the world.”

The Secret Society is curated by PM Gallery & House in association with Matt Price. The installation has been styled in collaboration with Karina Garrick. To celebrate the exhibition, a new plaster bust has been created,  inspired by the architecture of Sir John Soane and will be for sale along with other pieces from the collection.

From 19 April - 9 June
Pitzhanger Manor & PM Gallery
Walpole Park
Mattock Lane
Ealing
London W5 SEQ
www.kathydalwood.com

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A Blue Moment

This week, we’re all about blues; thanks to this beautiful shot we found on Gather Journal. Isn't it lovely?

Our new mood also has something to do with the arrival of illustrator Fanny Shorter’s kaleidoscopic prints at Roost which, with their cool hues, adorn notebooks and accessories that will take pride-of-place upon desktops or dotted around the home.

You can see Fanny's full collection here, or for more inspiration, take a peek at our favourite blue-hued Roost Living pieces below.

Coronal Notebooks by Fanny Shorter, £18 each

Coronal Pouches by Fanny Shorter, £18

Vintage Blue Butterfly Print by Roo Abrook, £9

Wobbly Bowls by Mizuyo Yamashita, from £12

Reflect Cups and Saucers by Richard Brendon

Ruth Cross - The Knitted Home Book

Here at Roost Living HQ we do love a good craft book, especially when it's beautifully photographed and full of amazing projects for the home.  And we love it even more when it's by one of our own.  And this one is by the wonderful Ruth Bridgeman of knitwear brand Ruth Cross.  So if you're passionate about interiors and knitting, this is a must have. 

And if you're not already familiar with her work, we teamed up with her to create an exclusive range of cushions, tea cosies and hot water bottle covers...

Cable Hottie, hot water bottle cover by Ruth Cross

Knitted Tea Cosy for Candy Tea Pot by Ruth Cross

Cable Cushion by Ruth Cross for Roost Living

Easter entertaining

Though Easter may have deeply-rooted religious meaning, it also presents the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones for a mouth-watering feast. 

We'll be setting the table soon, accenting it with our gold-dusted bunny butter dish and sugar bowl, perhaps hiding a few chocolate eggs amongst the flowers and crockery too. 

Whatever you're planning, here's to a wonderful long-weekend celebration - enjoy! 

Simple (yet effective) stencilling

Stencilling. Just the word feels a tad outdated, and the 'doing' seems a little tricky - but we've stumbled upon some ultra-easy, yet totally modern ways to do it.

Use spraypaint and lace: You can buy nylon/polyester lace at any good fabric shop, but if you can bear to cover beautiful vintage lace with paint, this works like a dream.

Cheat with a print-out pattern: there's a whole host of pre-cut stencils on the internet so take your pick. Feel like creating your own? Pinterest has plenty of templates and ideas.

Opt for wall decals: just like stickers, these decorative adhesives update rooms in seconds and are often re-usable, too. We love Abode's windblown dandelion.

Short of time? Look out for soft furnishings with cut-out details such as our bloom throw - they add the stencilling effect without the work. 

Reinventing Flowers

One of the simplest ways to transform even the smallest of your home's nooks is to pop hand-tied blooms into an old (clean) jam jar. If you don't have one to hand, a milk bottle, or even a glass, makes the perfect vessel. 

Here are some ideas we love - including pastel painted bottles and ornamental cabbages in tumblers that photographer Leila Sanderson shot at furniture designer Greg Hatton's Melbourne home. Why not give it a go, too?

Images: Leila Sanderson, Greg Hatton, Pinterest.

Reflecting upon Richard

Living so close to London’s iconic Portobello Road - overrun with antique china, as well as charm - it’s no wonder that ceramicist Richard Brendon is ever-inspired.

His own designs encapsulate a little of this vintage appeal – looking to the history of found porcelain and melding it with a modern vision to create striking teacups, saucers, and dinnerware.

In particular, his ‘Reflect’ collection truly stands out; china tea cups are coated in platinum so that when resting upon vintage-like saucers, their mirrored patina echoes and transforms the plate’s patterns.

How long have you been designing?

Technically since I studies DT at GCSE in 2003

Did you go to art college or are you self taught? 

I studied product and furniture design at Kingston University

What are you main creative influences?

Droog and Dutch design from the early 90s is what sparked my interest in design.  I really liked the way they pushed the boundaries of materials and process to create products with character and narrative.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Antique fairs – the antique markets of Portobello and Golborne Road are on my doorstep and provide great inspiration.

What aspect of your work gives you the most pleasure?

Receiving the first finished sample of a product that has taken a long time to research and develop.  It’s not until I see the finished piece that 

Where are you most creative?

In the shower

What is your workspace/studio like? 

Hilarious! I share a really fantastic space with a record label and they are some of the funniest people I have ever met. It’s an 800 square foot studio, with French doors that open out into a courtyard surrounded by other studios.

How do you describe your style?

Considered, refine and dynamic

What are you currently working on?

A collaboration with pattern visionaries, Patternity, we will be launching 2 cups and saucers in April. I’m also working on a collection inspired by the best British porcelain ever made, with a porcelain expert from a leading London antiques auction house.

When you first started out, what was the best advice you received?

Know exactly what your brand is.

And

Make as many mistakes as quickly as possible.  

What advice do you have for other designers starting out?

Surround yourself with good and talented people.  Try to have mentors you can go to for advice.

How do you achieve a work/life balance?

I don’t really, but fortunately I love what I do.

What are you other passions?

Skiing, food and drink

What is your favourite food?

I like a lot of things! Anything that is refined and perfected to be the best it can be.  I’m a big fan of the burger craze sweeping London, there are some really tasty burgers out there!

We're thrilled to share with you that a special edit of Richard's Reflect collection is now available at Roost Living. Choose from red, pink, or blue designs to prettify your tabletop and leave guests in awe.