Sickboy: Stay Free (Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art)

One more Sickboy article. Here's a link to some more stuff I wrote about his Stay Free show.

Sickboy: Stay Free
Chris Osburn
Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art
January 2009

Not content to simply wow exhibition goers with a retrospective of his best street and studio work, prolific London graffiti artist, Sickboy (whom we interviewed back in February 08), saw his recent solo show, Stay Free, as an opportunity to give something back to his fans in the way of offering his massive Stay Free Factory installation as a prize to one lucky exhibition visitor. During the December 4th through 10th run of the Stay Free exhibition, a thousand golden keys were released to the exhibition visitors with the person whose key fit the lock becoming the new owner of the Stay Free Factory (worth an estimated £20,000).

See more pics and read the complete Sickboy: Stay Free review at Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art.

Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown at Sartorial Contemporary Art

Double-Bill Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown Exhibition at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 19, 2008



Both [Sweet Toof and Martin Lea Brown] have the uncanny ability to juxtapose images of violence, illegality and desperation with vivid colours and an exuberance too often avoided in contemporary art (at least in this town). The results provide viewers with an opportunity to ponder societal anxiety and the fragility of cultural norms at a time when such topics truly resonate. In other words, this is cool shit that’s worth ogling. Very zeitgeist-y!

Read the complete Sweet Toof/Martin Lea Brown review at Londonist.

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Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown: Double Billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Saturday, 20 December 2008


















More on Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown's double billing at Sartorial Contemporary Art at www.sartorialart.com

See all the Sweet Toof & Martin Lea Brown photos at Juxtapoz.

Qype on Ice (Qype does London)

Qype on Ice
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
December 12th 2008



Jingle bells and the swish of skates on ice: Qype had a fantastic little skate-n-drinks Christmas party (obviously the drinks part came after the skate part) earlier this week.

Read the complete Qype on Ice post at Qype does London.

Review: “Hark the Herald Angels Blog” London Bloggers Meetup (Londonist)

Review: “Hark the Herald Angels Blog” London Bloggers Meetup
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 10, 2008



For regulars to the (not quite but usually) monthly get-togethers, last night’s mingle session presented much of the same camaraderie as previous ones ... Adding to the the meet ups festive vibe, Robert McIntosh of wine blog, wineconversation.com shared his knowledge (and his wine!) with a free tasting.

Read the complete London Bloggers Meetup review at Londonist.

Sickboy - Stay Free

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Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy (until 10th December)
Chris Osburn
Londonist
December 4, 2008



... prolific street artist Sickboy stepped up to the challenge of wowing London’s jaded art mob with his first major solo exhibition- an exhibition that’s as defiant and provocative as it is fun and vibrant.

Read the complete Stay Free with Street Artist Sickboy review at Londonist.

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Photos: Sick Boy's "Stay Free"
Photography by Chris Osburn
Juxtapoz
Tuesday, 09 December 2008












Stay Free is open to the general public through December 10, 2008 at The Tramshed in Shoreditch, London.

See all the Sick Boy's "Stay Free" photos at Juxtapoz.

Barcelona XL - Spanish Street Art at Smithfield Gallery

(P)review: The Best of Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery
by Chris Osburn
Londonsit
December 2, 2008



Barcelona XL engages the viewer with a variety of wonderful colours and an array of various styles which somehow work together in the same gallery space exceedingly well with no one artist or piece overshadowing the others. This is one exhibition you shouldn’t miss.

Read the complete Barcelona’s Street Artists at Smithfield Gallery review at Londonist.

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Photos: "BCNXL, Barcelona XL: Homage to Catalonia"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Friday, 05 December 2008











"I believe these artists have been inspired by the unique political and social culture of Catalonia, which faced many years of repression during the dictatorship of Franco," explains curator Janspivey.

See all thh Barcelona XL photos at Juxtapoz.

Herakut in London (But Not for Long!)

Preview: Herakut Airing Their Dirty Laundry in London
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 28, 2008



... think darkly witty feminine broad strokes (that’s the Hera contribution) emboldened by the thoughtful and masculine touch ups of Akut.

Read the complete Herakut review at Londonist.

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Photos: Herakut's "Dirty Laundry"
Photography by Chris Osburn, London Correspondent
Juxtapoz
Monday, 01 December 2008












If you can't make it to Convent Garden to see their stunning Dirty Laundry in person, don't worry, we've got all you need in more exhibit photos here.

See all of Herakut's "Dirty Laundry" photos at Juxtapoz.

Street Photography & Camera Handling Workshop: Day Two

Yesterday was the second and final day of the Shoot Experience Street Photography & Camera Handling workshop I've been taking. Most of the day was spent "in the field" (bopping about Hoxton Square and Shoreditch High Street) applying what we were taught last Saturday. Awesomeness (and a great way to try our out new found skills while the instructor's still there for reminders and encouragement)!



I really enjoyed both full day sessions of the workshop and truly feel that I'm a better photographer than before and that I gratefully have a few more street photography tricks up my sleeve because I attended the workshop. Ultimately, getting better street shots from now on will require less button pressing and considerably less head scratching.



If Shoot Experience were to develop a follow up course, I most certainly would be keen to enroll. I can't rec this workshop highly enough. If you're hankering to improve your photography street smarts and become more aware of your SLR's full potential, have a look at the Shoot Experience events page for more workshops and other fun photo things to do.

Review: Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery (Londonist)

Review: Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery
Chris Osburn
Londonist
November 20, 2008



Now open and running until the 24th of January at James Hyman Gallery (5 Saville Row, W1S 3PD) is a comprehensive retrospective of works by camera-less photographer Garry Fabian Miller. Fabian Miller is famous for the long process of exposing light directly onto photographic paper through organic material and substances such as plants, lead, engine oil and water to yield unique images for which there are no negatives.

Read the complete Garry Fabian Miller at James Hyman Gallery review at Londonist.

Yet Another Brilliant London Bloggers Meetup

Yep, last night's Blogladi Bloglada meet-up at Corney & Barrow in the City was yet another good time with plenty of friendly faces (both familiar and new). I especially enjoyed checking out Ms Melanie Season's speechifying about being a blogger. But, why say anymore when the esteemed guest speaker's already summed it all up so well on her own Fake Plastic Noodles blog?

Street Photography & Camera Handling Workshop: Day One

Wow! Just back from day one of the two-day Shoot Experience Street Photography & Camera Handling workshop (day two is next Saturday) that I previously mentioned on this blog and all I can say is that it was a brilliant way to spend my Saturday. I am so much more energized and excited about photography than I have been in a long time. And, the really cool thing is that I feel that I'm way more knowledgable (and confident!) than I was this morning before the workshop commenced. Small class size, engaging and practical instructor and lots of fun. I am so looking forward to next Saturday's class ... and to applying the lessons to my upcoming photo gigs!

(P)review: BBC Good Food Show

(P)review: BBC Good Food Show
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 14, 2008



Anyway, if you like large conventions and don’t feel that you’re up on current food and cooking trends, the Good Food Show might be just the thing. Otherwise, if you really want to indulge in a foodie weekend, you’re better off simply heading over to Borough Market or your local farmers market.

Read the complet BBC Good Food Show post at Londonist.

Rum Do with Elements 8 Super Premium Rum (Qype does London)

Rum Do with Elements 8 Super Premium Rum
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
November 11th 2008



You know life is good when you find yourself with a free pass to hit some of Notting Hill’s most swank-o-rific cocktail bars with a bunch of folks you probably would’ve been hanging out with anyway. Or at least, that’s the rum-happy epiphany I had a few hours (and cocktails!) into last night’s Rum Do with Elements 8.

Read the complete Rum Do with Elements 8 at Qype does London.
See recipes from last night's visit to Montgomery Place at my Tiki Chris blog.

Street Photography & Camera Handling Workshop

With respect to my photography, I’m starting to feel as if I’m in a rut. This is a big bummer. I’ve got a few important gigs coming up as well as an exhibition in ’09. And more than that, I just want to feel more confident about shooting and to trust my intuition much more. So I signed up for a Street Photography & Camera Handling workshop with Shoot Experience. I had a lot of fun participating in their Shoot Shoreditch photographic treasure hunt and thought they ran a tight – and incredibly well organized – ship (they seemed to know a thing or two about photography too!). So, when I found out about their upcoming Kingsland Road workshop and how it would “boost your skill set giving you the creative freedom to successfully capture the city streets,” I figured it was worth a shot (pun intended). I’ll be sure to post a review recapping how the workshop went.

The Shoot Experience Street Photography & Camera Handling workshop happens this Saturday and next (the 15th and 22nd) at 32 Kingsland Road. Geared toward photographers who “know your aperture from your shutter speed” but want to work more instinctively, effectively and creatively, the course is taught by Toby Smith (“judge, photographer and technical manager of all things Shoot Experience”) who manages a photography studio in East London and has taught practical photography everywhere "from East Africa to the East Midlands." Group size is limited to six people (very cool).

I reckon this upcoming workshop is all booked up (but please don’t take my word on that!). However, have a look at the Shoot Experience events page for more workshops and other fun photo things to do.

Review: “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition (Londonist)

Review: “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 7, 2008



The free exhibition is now open to the public (but sadly closes on the 9th) and well worth a look-see. We think it's neat to see how chocolate is farmed and were inspired on our visit to the gallery by the images on display.

Read the complete “A Decade of Divine” Photography Exhibition review at Londonist.

Super-Mega-Wow Post-Election Day (Qype does London)

Super-Mega-Wow Post-Election Day
Chris Osburn

Qype does London
November 5th 2008



Okay, without delving too deeply into the political, let’s just say I’m in an especially fantastic mood (if a little groggy) this morning (erm, I mean afternoon).

Read the complete Post-Election Day post at Qype does London.

Super-Mega-What-the-Hell’s-Gonna-Happen?!?! Election Day (Qype does London)

Super-Mega-What-the-Hell’s-Gonna-Happen?!?! Election Day
Chris Osburn
Qype does London
November 4th 2008



Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock in East Bumblefuck, Egypt with your head waaay up your ass for the past year, you must certainly be aware that today’s the day Americans go to the polls to elect their next president.

Read the complete Election Day post at Qype does London.

Preview: Cocoa Co-operation in Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition (Londonist)

Preview: Cocoa Co-operation in Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 3, 2008











To celebrate their tenth year anniversary in the Fairtrade chocolate business, Divine Chocolate (co-owned by Kuapa Kokoo, a co-operative of 45,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana) is to host an exhibition of photographs which give insight into the lives of the Kuapa Kokoo farmers and follows Divine’s journey from “a great idea – that could never happen” to creating its “equitable trading relationship with smallholder farmers in Africa.”

Read the complete Divine Chocolate Photography Exhibition at Londonist.

Review: TrustedPlaces’ Day of the Dead party at Chilango (Londonist)

Review: TrustedPlaces’ Day of the Dead party at Chilango
Chris Osburn, Food & Drink Editor
Londonist
November 1, 2008



Londonist had a lot of fun at TrustedPlaces’ Day of the Dead/Halloween party held last night at newbie Mexican restaurant (yet another?), Chilango on Fleet Street.

Read the complete TrustedPlaces party at Chilango review at Londonist.

Londonist Gets Man-Pampered (Londonist)

Londonist Gets Man-Pampered
Chris Osburn

Londonist

October 31, 2008













... we tagged along to the Gibson Hall launch party of Smirnoff Black Boutique Barbers luxury men's grooming service (no, we’re not kidding). Yep, starting the 6th of November, Hugo Boss shops in London will offer “gentlemen the chance to enjoy a relaxing traditional shave followed by a Smirnoff Black cocktail.” The shave-n-chugs’ll be happening at these Hugo Boss shops on the following November and December dates ...

Read the complete Londonist Gets Man-Pampered post at Londonist.