http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/ The latest news from "the shape of things" en-gb Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:56:51 GMThttp://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=25http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=25Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:56:51 GMT The latest shape of things exhibition is now showing at Bristol’s City Art Gallery and Museum until Sunday 18th April, with new work by Alinah Azadeh and Rosa Nguyen.. Alinah Azadeh has asked gathered 999 objects from members of the public, donated as a final farewell, to lay to rest a memory, experience or association that holds personal meaning to the giver. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=36http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=36Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:44:16 GMT Halima Cassell Artist’s Talk Tuesday 11 May  11am – 12.30pm To coincide with the exhibition Earth | Atmosphere, Halima Cassell, regarded as one of the country’s leading ceramicists, will be giving us an insight into her work. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=34http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=34Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:03:52 GMT We have been planning and imagining what this exhibition would look like for months now and I always believed it would be visually stunning but every time I walk in to the Gallery I am mesmerised by the impact of Halima Cassell and Seiko Kinoshita’s work, and the contrast and yet balance created by showing them together. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=24http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=24Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:27:34 GMTOn June 28, the shape of things artists Rezia Wahid MBE and Tanvi Kant along with director, Deirdre Figueiredo will be live on BBC Asian Network discussing craft and the sector. . Listen live from 2.30pm at:  on digital TV and DAB radio. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=31http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=31Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:03:12 GMTBristol Museum & Art Gallery are offering curators the opportunity to visit The Gifts and Still Living on April 13to have lunch with artists Alinah Azadeh and Rosa Nguyen, discuss the exhibition and find out more about the shape of things, a national programme of craft exhibitions. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=27http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=27Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:17:12 GMTCongratulations to the shape of things artists Taslim Martin and Chien-Wei Chang who were both winners of the Jerwood Contemporary Makers Prize this year along with several other makers. Established in 2008, Jerwood Contemporary Makers is a three year initiative developed to support the applied arts and encourage new and stimulating ways of showing work across a range of disciplines. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=48http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=48Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:05:20 GMT This continuum consists of what the artist has learned and also made of that learning. But there is something else just out of reach that every artist strives for, and this ‘something else’ is part of the artist’s statement and in a larger sense, is the art itself. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=51http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=51Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:13:59 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=47http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=47Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:08:38 GMTADAM: it’s not? / what is it, a pastie or something, like strippers have?. EVELYN: no, / it’s plaster . . it was added by a committee who had complaints from local townspeople. / uh-huh. / they made a petition and got that put on, thereby removing its subjectivity as art. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=54http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=54Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:13:05 GMT15 October 2010 – 9 January 2011 Studio Gallery National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE Admission Free . British-Iranian artist, Alinah Azadeh, whose work 'The Gifts' appeared in the shape of things exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, has produced a new installation with a collective of young people from Brent, Barnet and Ealing who share an Islamic heritage. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=41http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=41Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:09:55 GMT Through our work we aim to create an awareness of embroidery as a craft through rejecting a passive attitude and challenging its current perceptions. We want to open the critical debate of slave labour expressing our frustration at the moral injustice of women and children in South Asia working in appalling conditions creating embroidered items for our consumption. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=56http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=56Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:55:32 GMTWhile reading the Creative Choices newsletter the other week, I struck upon this piece by Manick Govinda, Artist Producer for ArtsAdmin and Head of Artists' Advisory Services for London Cultural Strategy Group.. It focuses on the regulations put in place in 2008, restricting international artists coming to the UK, but he also raises an interesting point: . http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=63http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=63Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:53:33 GMTThe shape of things: a collaborative approach. The shape of things is, inherently, a programme exploring diversity. It involves artists from a range of cultural backgrounds and aims to seek out new audiences to engage with and to prick the interest of a broader range of collectors. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=65http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=65Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:01:02 GMTTanvi Kant: working with little. by Dr Jessica Hemmings. The thinking behind Tanvi Kant’s recent work can be traced back to the hand-sewn hem of her mother’s sari. Curiosity led Kant to unpick the hem and then parts of the woven cloth in a gesture she explains was driven by the “pure experimentation” encouraged on the Sustainable Design BA course she completed at the University of Derby in 2005. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=64http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=64Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:02:09 GMTTaslim Martin : Disparate Nature. by Alison Britton. Ten years ago I wrote a short introduction to Taslim Martin’s first solo exhibition held at the Bracknell Gallery, South Hill Park Arts Centre in Berkshire, where he had just completed a two year artist residency following his graduation from the MA course in Ceramics and Glass from the RCA. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=66http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=66Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:02:50 GMTThe shape of things: a collaborative approach. The shape of things is, inherently, a programme exploring diversity. It involves artists from a range of cultural backgrounds and aims to seek out new audiences to engage with and to prick the interest of a broader range of collectors. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=67http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=67Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:43:39 GMTA love of linear rhythms, texture and bold colour shapes my work. Graphic compositions of meandering lines are inspired by aerial views of fields, urban textures, handwriting and contemporary architecture. I use embroidery and needle punching to create tactile and textural qualities in textiles. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=68http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=68Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:10:30 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=22http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=22Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:19:01 GMTTouchstones Rochdale is proud to be a partner venue in this significant initiative exploring cultural diversity within contemporary craft, in terms of artists, audiences and collectors. Whilst we are not exclusively a contemporary craft venue, craft has long been a part of our programme and through taking part in the shape of things we are reaffirming our commitment to exhibiting and collecting contemporary craft. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=69http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=69Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:55:14 GMTExhibition: 21 January to 26 March 2011 Venues: Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, M33 7zf Central Art Gallery, Tameside, OL6 7sg . Araam is a unique partnership project initiated by Shisha, the international agency for contemporary South Asian crafts and visual arts, in partnership with Mid Pennine Arts. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=37http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=37Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:30:08 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=71http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=71Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:55:30 GMT In association with Recording the Crafts, at the University of the West of England, Bristol, the shape of things has produced a series of interviews with artists Alinah Azadeh and Rosa Nguyen, detailing their artistic past and present, and the relevance of the shape of things to their work. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=74http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=74Sun, 13 Feb 2011 15:57:01 GMTThe shape of things aims to explore the distinct contribution artists make to British society by creating an opportunity and context for considering and debating how artists influence or reflect national identity, connect Britain with global cultures and reference the intercultural nature of British society. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=58http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=58Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:31:12 GMT photograph copyright Sophie Mutevelian. 4th January - 16th April 2011. The shape of things is delighted to announce that the Crafts Study Centre, is currently hosting an exhibition, in partnership with Flow Gallery, London, providing a snapshot of work by all the shape of things artists. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=59http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=59Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:39:07 GMT Touchstones Rochdale, in conjunction with Bilston Craft Gallery, are pleased to announce that Earth|Atmosphere will be on show at Touchstones between 9th July - 10th September 2011. This exhibition, part of the shape of things series, showcases new work by artists Halima Cassell and Seiko Kinoshita. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=80http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=80Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:51:14 GMT The shape of things artist Tanvi Kant will be featuring in a new exhibition, Lost & Found at Nottingham Castle between 16th April - 19th June 2011.. Lost & Found, Critical Cloth and Remainders examine how artists use garments and materials with a previous life. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=52http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=52Sun, 08 May 2011 18:07:35 GMTThe shape of things (TSOT) is a national initiative developing over several years. Through a series of exhibitions and professional development events it seeks to explore the distinctive contribution artists working in craft media are making to influence or reflect national identity, the intercultural nature of British society and its connection with global cultures. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=81http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=81Sun, 08 May 2011 18:09:41 GMTConference Report. Prepared for: The Shape of Things.. Prepared by: Dr. Bharti Parmar. Artist.. Date: Friday 18th February 2011. 11.00-16.30.. Details: Contemporary Art Society. Annual Members’ Conference. ‘The Making of Things’. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=79http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=79Mon, 09 May 2011 10:36:58 GMT The group selling exhibition of all artists featured in the shape of things series of exhibitions will be closing on Saturday 16th April at the Crafts Study Centre in Farnham. This week will be the last chance to see the exhibition, for more information about the Crafts Study Centre click here. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=82http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=82Fri, 27 May 2011 11:30:01 GMTThe shape of things series of exhibition catalogues that accompany each showing are available to view below.. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu.com. Link to: issuu. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=85http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=85Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:06:33 GMT The shape of things artist, Taslim Martin is exhibiting in RCA Black, celebrating 60 years of talent from African & African Caribbean alumni & students.. The exhibition, a collaboration between RCA and the African and African Caribbean Design Diaspora will run from 31st August - 6th September, between 10am and 6pm at the Henry Moore Galleries, Royal College of Art. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=86http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=86Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:51:13 GMTArtist Dr Bharti Parmar, attended 'The Making of Thigns', the Contemporary Arts Society's annual members' conference on behalf of The Shape of Things.. Background of Contemporary Art Society/National network. “The National Network is a membership programme for art professionals who are working with collections of contemporary art or who have a particular interest in public collections in this country. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=90http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=90Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:08:12 GMTMy concept for “The Shape of things” exhibition is based on my observation of British people through my eyes as a foreigner. After few years living in the U.K, I started to notice how weather has a profound effect on the daily attitudes and feelings of British people. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=92http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=92Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:19:12 GMTTaking his work in a different direction, artist Taslim Martin's first venture into lighting designs will be exhibited at '?Choices!' until 25th September 2011.. Coinciding with London Design Festival and 100% Design in September, the main focus of the African and African-Caribbean Design Diaspora Festival 2011 ‘?CHOICES!’ will be the series of exhibitions and events at the Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf on Southbank. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=26http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=26Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:57:03 GMT Alinah Azadeh gathered 999 objects from members of the public, donated as a final farewell, to lay to rest a memory, experience or association that holds personal meaning to the giver. Combined together, the objects form 'The Gifts' an installation of these personal objects, wrapped and bound in yarn and fabric. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=28http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=28Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:58:59 GMT Alinah Azadeh’s The Gifts provoked huge public interest after she invited people to make donations of personal objects which had meaning for them but ‘had outlived their emotional shelf-life’. As part of the process, Alinah asked the givers to record the personal meaning or association the objects had for them. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=30http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=30Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:59:07 GMTEarth | Atmosphere opens at Bilston Craft Gallery on May 1st, 2010 and explores the contribution of contemporary craft to the experience and perception of cultural heritage and identity, through the work of ceramicist Halima Cassell and textile artist Seiko Kinoshita. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=29http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=29Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:59:18 GMT The Gifts by Alinah Azadeh and Still Living by Rosa Nguyen will be closing at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on April 18th , 2010. The exhibition has received an overwhelming response with over 22000 visitors and substantial local and craft-sector coverage, make sure you see it before it closes! If you can’t get to Bristol, photos of the work are available on our Flickr at: www. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=32http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=32Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:59:33 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=33http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=33Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:59:41 GMT The Gifts by Alinah Azadeh and Still Living by Rosa Nguyen are now closed.. The shape of things showing at Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery received over 35,000 visitors, if you missed it, you can see more pictures of the exhibition here:. Also take a look at Alinah Azadeh’s documenting the process of creating, installing and taking down The Gifts. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=35http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=35Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:59:49 GMT Earth | Atmosphere is now open at Bilston Craft Gallery until July 10th , 2010 exploring the contribution of contemporary craft to the experience and perception of cultural heritage and identity, through the work of ceramicist Halima Cassell and textile artist Seiko Kinoshita. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=38http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=38Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:09 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=20http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=20Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:20 GMT I am at the stage, with just over 12 weeks to the opening of the show, where I have created a wide range of samples and several wrorks in progress.. The development of these entailed playful construction with materials, such as cottons, silks, linen, fine silver-plated and gold-plated wire with semi-precious beads. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=39http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=39Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:33 GMTMeet the artist. Tues 10 August from 1pm to 4pm. Weds 25 August from 1pm to 4pm. Sat 18 September from 1pm to 4pm. Taslim Martin will be working in the exhibition adding visitors’ designs to a unique collaborative piece. Drop in and see Taslim at work and chat informally about his work; all welcome,. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=23http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=23Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:44 GMT Tanvi Kant: Cut, Stitch, Adorn Gallery Three. 17 July - 3 October. Tanvi Kant references textile crafts drawn from her Indian Gujarati cultural heritage in the process of creating beautiful, unique jewellery from re-used textiles.. Alongside her continuing work which employs wrapping and binding techniques to form neckpieces and bracelets, for the shape of things Tanvi has developed a new body of work using sections of fabric cut, hand stitched and embellished with embroidery, knotting, precious stones or hand-formed porcelain. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=49http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=49Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:48 GMT The latest in the series of exhibitions from the shape of things is now open at flow gallery, London, until 6th November, featuring a group selling show of all the artists featured in the project.. flow brings together work by nine artists in one place. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=53http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=53Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:05 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=50http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=50Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:12 GMTAs part of the shape of things, Touchstones Rochdale held a Craft Show and Share Day, to invite the local community into the gallery, to showcase their talents.. People shared knowledge and skills with each other.. And worked with artists Taslim Martin. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=43http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=43Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:39 GMT Amongst the topics we hope to address will be, whether public collections of contemporary craft are sufficiently representative of the culturally diverse nature of contemporary craft practice, the relationship of commissioning for exhibition with the subsequent entry of that work into public and private collections, the reputational value of public exhibition to enhancing artists’ careers and the interest in their work from curators and collectors, whether mediation of the artist’s work through curatorship has an impact on the market place. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=57http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=57Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:46 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=55http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=55Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:51 GMT 23rd October 2010, 2 - 5pm (arrive 15 minutes before workshop commences). Flow Gallery, 1-5 Needham Road, London, W11 2RP (10 minutes walk from Notting Hill Gate tube station). £35.00. Jeweller Tanvi Kant, whose work featured at Touchstones Rochdale, will be holding a jewellery making workshop re-using remnants of saris and dress fabrics using techniques such as binding, knotting, hand-stitching and beadwork. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=70http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=70Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:02:17 GMT16th February 2011. Crafts Study Centre . The Crafts Study Centre, in association with Flow Gallery and the shape of things, will be hosting a round table discussion will explore issues surrounding the addition of international and culturally diverse work to English private and public craft collections. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=78http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=78Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:02:34 GMT Every venue involved in the shape of things series of exhibitions, collates feedback from visitors. Here are some of the best (and worst) from the showing of Tanvi Kant's Cut, Stitch, Adorn and Taslim Martin's Disparate Nature. . . . . . http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=75http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=75Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:02:36 GMTExhibition Review - The Shape of things . Issue 78 March 2011 Exhibition Review by Khadija Gulamhusein . With the rise of far right parties and anti-immigration sentiments across Europe, from the recent and unexpected outcome of the Swedish elections to the long-established presence of the FN in France, multiculturalism is seen as a botched ideology. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=77http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=77Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:02:40 GMT http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=84http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=84Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:02:53 GMTAchieving a more culturally diverse audience for contemporary crafts hosted by Touchstones Rochdale.. On Thursday 1st September, Touchstones Rochdale will host the shape of things audience development discussion, a lively event led by Caroline Griffin exploring a wide range of issues, from the practical to the polictical, the theoretical to the aesthetic. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=88http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=88Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:03:03 GMT We're delighted to announce our first guest editor for theshapeofthings.org.uk will be Momtaz Begum-Hossain, who will be exploring craft from an audience perspective. Over the next few months, Momtaz will look at what craft is to her, how we develop craft audiences, what we can do to make craft appeal to a wider network, and how, through the course of engaging through the shape of things, her own perspective has or hasn't changed. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=89http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=89Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:40:40 GMT Momtaz Begum-Hossain is a Freelance Writer and craft enthusiast. In her spare time she dabbles in textiles and in 2010 undertook an apprenticeship in hand weaving giving her a chance to experience life as a full time maker/designer. She blogs at www.CosILikeMakingStuff. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=91http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=91Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:55:40 GMT Virtues of Unity - Halima Cassell. My concept for “The Shape Of Things” exhibition combines the apparent opposites of similarity and difference. By utilising clay bodies from diverse parts of the World, all of which have their own distinctive character and identity, I hope to symbolically represent the differences in creed and culture of the many and varied races which populate our planet. http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=107http://www.theshapeofthings.org.uk/?id=107Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:29:30 GMTOn Thursday 1st September, Touchstones Rochdale hosted the shape of things audience development discussion, a lively event led by Caroline Griffin exploring a wide range of issues, from the practical to the polictical, the theoretical to the aesthetic.. This opportunity, looked back over the last two years' of activity and reflects on what, if anything has changed with regards to the audience experience or to the market for contemporary crafts.