Beauty in the everyday

Brought over to the UK in the 17th century from the Netherlands and derived from the Dutch ‘Stileven’, the practice of turning inanimate, rather humdrum objects into a subject of beauty is one that has inspired artists throughout the centuries. Beauty in the Everyday presents a selection of work by over 20 artists and makers housed at Brixton East, a nineteenth century, disused furniture factory; its raw and minimal industrial finish offering the perfect backdrop to the contemporary artwork on show. Former Goldsmiths artist, Sam Edkins, who has long explored themes of momento mori and still life in his work, is previewing his tub chairs, reupholstered in a new linen fabric. His print features insects and bugs crawling unnervingly over rotting fruit and foliage. Another chair features slugs leaving their trail brought to life using a specialised foiling technique in the printing process. The ceramic artist Akiko Hirai (you'll find Akiko's work available on the Selvedge website) exhibits a composition of Still Life bottles, which feel like they have been lifted out of a Georgio Morandi painting.  Hirai’s work is a cultural blend of both Japanese and British studio pottery traditions, resulting in asymmetrical, ‘imperfect’ organic forms. Hirai takes the ‘imperfect’ piece and tries to make perfection in her mind.  She calls this ‘balance’. If it’s a good balance of imperfection she feels she is able to complete it in her mind. Recently Hirai has been inspired by some impressionist paintings described in the exhibition guide as unfinished and therefore not considered ‘proper’ paintings at the beginning of this art movement.  In the world of craft it was the connoisseurs, not the makers, who found beauty in the unpolished peasant craft work of Japan.  These pieces were called ‘gete-mino’ translated as ‘badly made’ and were consequently considered second class artefacts. Still Life paintings, though popular in the 17th century, were also considered to be low ranking.  Hirai is attracted to the unrefined quality of objects and in her work and she reveals great beauty in this ‘unpolished’ work. Other artists included in the exhibition are painters, Joseph Goody, Susan Sluglett, Susan Spencer, Cameron Fraser, Rebecca McLynn and Sue Blandford, ceramicists Caroline Popham, Graham Clayton, Jo Davies, Sophie Cook and Fliff Carr, sculptor Rowena Brown and designer makers, Elli Popp and the Galvin Brothers. BEAUTY IN THE EVERYDAY – Appreciating Still Life Friday 25 November  – 10.30 am – 6.00 pm, Saturday 26 November 10.30 am – 6.00pm & Sunday 27 November 10.30 am – 6.00pm www.cavalierofinn.com Brixton East 1871, 100 Barrington Road, London, SW9 7JF