Monday, 23 February 2009

Su Blackwell: A picture made from a 1000 words

The work of Su Blackwell is spectacular and inspiring. She turns books into magical scenes. Check out more of the work of Su Blackwell, found via Visualingual.

Labels: art, birds, books, owl, sculpture, Su Blackwell, tree, Visualingual

posted by topia7  # 1:54 PM 2 Comments

Monday, 13 October 2008

A little bit of modern-retro zen with Flensted

I took a wonder into my favourite store, William Topp, on Sunday avo and finally got an item I have had my eye on for some time, a Flensted mobile. The one I chose is called Flowing Rhythm and it really is mesmerising to watch.
I have hung it at eye level with artwork (an etching I bought in Hanoi and photos I took in Hanoi and Siem Reap) above and below it so it visually links the work.
Just the modern-retro addition I needed to add some zen to the room!

Labels: art, Cambodia, Flensted, modern, my new apartment, photography, red, retro, sculpture, Vietnam, William Topp

posted by topia7  # 9:05 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 8 October 2008

Organic ceramics: Recharge with creative therapy

My sister, Tanya, a mum with two young boys under four, has been recharging her creativity for a few hours every Thursday evening at Melanie Sharpham's ceramic course. She has been coming up with some wonderful organic pieces and feeling revived from the experience.
If you live in Perth, Western Australia (and can easily get to the suburb of Kensington) and are keen to participate, email Melanie: msharpha[at]bigpond.net.au
BTW, this is also an excuse to plug my sister's new blog, check out Old Grey House, and show off my adorable little nephew! He looks like he would like to get his hands on those organic bowls!

Labels: bowls, clay, craft, kitchen, Melanie Sharpham, My sister Tanya, Old Grey House, perth, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 12:30 PM 2 Comments

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Owls go romp in the night

Romp started out as a store for 'modern kids' in Brooklyn but is now completely online so now their range of quirky collectables are available to the world. As they say on there site:

Romp is about play – from play with toys to play in the design of our homes.

And I would love the chance to play with these colourful owls to enhance the design of my new place. I can see the spot they would fit right in on my white malm chest of drawers in my bedroom.
The owls are made by Kirsty McIntosh from cut wood, painted and collaged with patterned retro inspired papers. Hoot hoot!
Check out Romp for kids and adults alike.

Labels: ikea, owl, romp, sculpture, wallpaper, wood

posted by topia7  # 12:06 AM 1 Comments

Monday, 1 September 2008

Entangled organic mechanics: The sculptures of Mauro Fuke

There is something wonderfully mathematical and logical about the twisted wooden 'snake' sculptures of the the artist Mauro Fuke.
Fuke develops the sculptures using a computer and then creates each piece by hand. Close up they look like a random combo of joins and organic mechanics but the patterns and arrangements are endless. I love the tactile nature of Fuke's work, you just want to pick them up and play.
Check out more of Mauro Fuke's sculptures or see the way he develops and creates his work.
> Found via Space Collective.

Labels: brown, Mauro Fuke, sculpture, Space Collective, wood

posted by topia7  # 11:07 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 14 July 2008

Miss Jones' delightful snowy swallow

Happily perched on a votive sits a snowy white bone china swallow, all set to take a joyful flight around the room. I love the way she cocks her head, listening in.
Have You Met Mrs Jones have some wonderful and whimsical items of beauty from angel wings and antlers to chandeliers, cushions and organic pottery.
Check out more of what Mrs Jones has to offer. You'll be delighted.

Labels: birds, decor, interior, sculpture, white

posted by topia7  # 11:56 PM 1 Comments

Monday, 7 July 2008

Melanie Sharpham's annual studio open: 2nd & 3rd August 2008

Melanie Sharpham is a talented local potter who makes fine porcelain slip clay pots. Her work has a wonderful hand-done quality and the way she finishes them is quite ethereal.
Each year she holds a 'studio open' to allow members of the public to come in to her studio and check out her latest work. She is based in the suburb of Kensington in Perth, Western Australia.
I have blured out the address in the invitation below, however if you are keen to check out Melanie's studio open, please email her: msharpha[at]bigpond.net.au

Labels: clay, craft, kitchen, Melanie Sharpham, perth, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:07 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 26 June 2008

Polymer musings by Merredith Dittman: Fimo has come a long way!

Like with Nina Braun's knitted art, Merredith Dittman has taken a familiar craft that anyone can attempt and with skill, vision and inspiration, turned the medium into art. She creates strange simple little characters and complex mixed-media friezes, all based around the use of polymer clay, which I always knew growing up as Fimo. So clever!
Check out her work at her site corporatepig or check out her Etsy page.

Labels: art, clay, craft, Etsy, Merredith Dittman, monster, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:17 AM 0 Comments

Bubbles of whimsy in the New Majestic

I decided to be out of the country for my 30th birthday so on the final night after a tour through Indochina my best friend treated me to a stay in Singapore's New Majestic Hotel.
One (of many) of the decor delights there were these hand-blown, sculptural, glass bubbles in the foyer of the hotel. The way the sun picked up the colours and dispersed them throughout was magical.
It would be great to do this in a home too, adding a spark of vibrancy to a room. Now I just need to look out for a hundred glass bubbles...

Labels: decor, Glass, Hotel, interior, sculpture, Singapore

posted by topia7  # 1:30 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Jeff Canham's hand painted sign art

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have ffffound Jeff Canham's amazing hand painted signs and the artwork derived from them. I love the way he uses the traditional methods of hand painted signs and brings them into a modern context. How great would this piece look on the wall behind my couch?
Check out more of what Jeff Canham does at his website.

Labels: art, craft, ffffound, Jeff Canham, print, retro, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:30 PM 0 Comments

Thursday, 29 May 2008

'Eames' wooden fox

I found this little wooden fox in a second hand furniture store. I was instantly drawn to it's smooth lines and the way that it really looks like it is leaning forward, anticipating a chase. Then I picked it up and the solid, hard wood felt cool but somehow warm and inviting.
It is reminiscent of the Eames house bird although I have not seen anything like this lovely fox before.
If anyone has any ideas about where it comes from and how old it is, I would be very interested?

Labels: fox, retro, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:26 AM 1 Comments

Friday, 23 May 2008

Knitted art of Nina Braun

I stumbled across the work of Nina Braun and it really captivated me. I love the scenic quality of this work, In the countryside, but it also looks like you could rub your face on it. There are not a lot of paintings you feel like you want to do that to... She really pushes illustration into a new direction using this medium. She inspires me to learn to knit!
Check out more of her work at Nina Braun's website of if you are lucky enough to live in Hamburg, go check out her exhibition, Stick and move.

Labels: art, craft, illustration, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:02 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 22 May 2008

Gnomes in a cage

I spotted these fella's while passing through a clothing store on my way to the carpark in Leederville. They have a little courtyard with a headless Snow white and other quirky little twists on kitch suburban gardens. These gnomes in the birdcage hidden in a corner were my favourite.

Labels: art, decor, garden, leederville, perth, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:18 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 18 May 2008

Flickr find: Joel Pirela retro modern interior - with awesome chairs!

I love the idea of having a set of classic mid-century chairs all lined up as interactive art sculpture pieces and Joel Pirela has done exactly that. Check out the rest of his inspirational modern retro interior design on his flickr page. Great stuff!

Labels: art, decor, flickr, interior, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 1:04 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 5 May 2008

Etsy find: Malabo's quirky sculptures

These sculptures from Malabo are so fun and quirky and they sell out too fast! I am waiting for the combo of sculptures here to be available again at once so that I can buy them both together. Great stuff!

Labels: art, decor, Etsy, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:27 AM 1 Comments