More at the Saatchi and Red 9

The smell of oil is something I'm forever associating with the Saatchi Gallery because of the work of Richard Wilson (20:50) - have tried to capture the scope of his site specific installation there.

an odd 360 degrees

I'm hoping that it doesn't similarly suggest flogging a dead horse  or a load of pots  - what I generally get when I visit the gallery is a air of 'cool' and a slower pace from the rest of London - The man behind the venue doesn't get a great media coverage (in terms of his persona) but he does give us a place worth pausing in.

Jerusalem Donkey (2015)  by Mia Feuer 

Maha Malluh's Burnt Pots (570 of them)

I like their shop too

A part of their shop

Red 9

We've had a few Red Phones (354 and 60)  - this'll be the last and the 'Bling-iest'

A phone for a Princess?

Pre-Christmas stuff and Red 10

A display accoutrement 

Off to Kingson (both 'Royal' on Thames) yesterday not with any clear plan in mind but something of a lock-down next week (lots to do)  pleased to get a bargain price Dart easel (late birthday present from Cass Art) and a little 'ladder' for showing prints.

A tripod

[Please note our Ealing Pop Up now starting November 10th - more on that soon.]

Christmas stuff already in the shops - seems to me a fine line between 'Quirky' and 'Tatt' BHS always used to have a lot of their 'Novelty' gifts on Sale for most of the year perhaps retailers should be cautious but the big mark-ups would I'm sure tempt.


I'm sure Marmite (the brand) are rubbing their hands together after the recent free advertising - it though will be recalled as part of the post Brexit blues and a £14.95 jigsaw seems to be just rubbing salt into the wound.

Imagine the forced smile as you unwrap your Marmite Jigsaw puzzle

Red 10

And perhaps to file under novelty the M&Ms  a nice bug Red M

They've got a West end store too

Henri Barande and Red 11

Visiting the Saatchi gallery by Sloane Square after it's return to 'normal' (it was home for the summer to a Rolling Stones exhibition) I was reminded what a pleasure it is to spend time there- big spaces and the opportunity to get close to the works set it apart from many London spaces.

Some of the work on show I was seeing for a second time like the multiple  canvases of Julia Wachtel and the  highly detailed faces of Jelena Bulajic.

Ljubica by Jelena 

Landscape No. 19 by Julia 

What stood out to me on this visit though was the work of the enigmatic and somewhat reclusive French artist Henri Barande and in particular his take on The Last Supper (as far as I and some other visitors could decode).

A sign to

What was odd about it was the way that from a distance it created the image but as you got closer it was gone - like some sort of post Briget Riley Op art on Crack it felt  wildly addictive.

many big bold works

And some times you see it

But it doesn't get clearer.

Red 11

And still on the art theme  here's a Mondrian- influence tile arrangement  at Pimlico

Mondrian liked his Reds too 

The Politics of the Possible and Red 12

To my mind the smoke signals and releases  coming from the UK government on the decision on London's airport expansion do not reflect well on the need for a strong approach to the anti-EU vote of this summer.

Should the decision to fudge and prevaricate  be the one that prevails (as in kicking the can down the road) British business will be left worrying about the decisiveness of intent and an opportunity for new British jobs will be at best delayed.

Many people felt that on becoming Prime-Minister Theresa May her pledges were something more than empty rhetoric but already she seems to be embroiled in battling the treasury and second guessing some of her more errant colleagues - No decision on Heathrow may spur  on Gatwick to proceed with its own expansion regardless  and depending on the phrasing of the announcement Zac Goldsmith may decide to delay his by-election but these are small scale wins for the PM and do not show the clear decisive direction that the electorate hanker for.

My first home -Now and   30 years or so ago

Affordable Housing

A price beyond many 

At the same time as London faces decision delay on the Airport expansion housing prices in the capital remain beyond the reach of many - looking in a local estate agent I noticed for rent a 'starter' home in the road (in Ealing) where I bought my first house many years ago - it's up for rent at £1,500 pcm - unattainable for many on above average pay now.

Surely if Government can effect change housing is an area they should focus on.

Red 12

Nature's bounty again with a very Red  Hawthorn berry

Hawthorn Berry  you can make a jelly with them.