Thursday 7 January 2016

SWEET LITTLE 2016

As we tumble headfirst into another year whilst still recovering from the last one, the 'to do' list is already as long as the Yardarm. Burnt out? I feel like a bit of old crumbling charcoal and it's still only January. Still, onwards and upwards as they say.
Let's start the year with some vibrant splashes of colour from two recent exhibitions from two painters, 'John Hoyland- Power Stations' at the Newport Street Gallery, Damien Hirst's new gallery in Vauxhall, and 'Soaring Flight- Peter Lanyon's Gliding Paintings' at the Courtauld Institute.
John Hoyalnd's abstract blocks of colour have obvious Mark Rothko inspiration and the first rooms of the 'Power Stations' exhibition seem to draw heavily on this influence. These paintings are perhaps the least interesting as they lack the intensity and depth that Rothko achieved. It's the last room that really packed a punch with paintings comprised of heavy opaque abstract blocks and shapes in clashing colour combinations. Good rugs, I thought.


Above, three Hoyland paintings from 'Power Stations.

In stark contrast Peter Lanyon's gliding paintings were breath taking and glorious from start to finish. Lanyon took up gliding in the 50's and these etherial landscapes were inspired by the artist's flights over West Cornwall. 
These paintings, with their curving swirls, puffy splodges, and scribbled lines that surround, obscure and dictate the ariel view of the landscapes below, completely immerse you in the atmosphere. If it were possible to paint air, movement, energy and weather then this is what these pictures achieve. The use of colour also adds to the drama. Cold blues from the pallid pale to deep teal merge into blueish polar whites and greys which make you shiver. Whereas clear greens and yellows sing clear bright days. Slashes of tomato red repeat across most of these paintings. I came out wanting to fly.


Above, Peter Lanyon's Gliding Paintings.

Looking back over 2015 it was a bustling year. I moved to Sarf Larndan which, apart from the actual physical aspects of moving ones belongings, was more traumatic than I expected. I'm a North London girl and I crossed the river, but separating live/work put a renewed spring in my step and work has become fun again.
We launched a new collection, Ceylon, and other products at Decorex, as well as showing an instillation for Dulux Colour Futures at Tent London, during the London Design Festival in September. There were collaborations with Liam Treanor and Rachael South on a unique piece of furniture and with Bluebellgrey on an exclusive range of tassels.

Above, 
Thales' bench by Liam Treanor, Rachael South and Jessica Light.
An ash frame with a Danish box weave seat out of hand-woven linen/cotton braid

Above, trims from the Ceylon collection.

Above, one of our new outsize room trims.

The bespoke side of Jessica Light also flourished with projects from clients new and old. Below is a recent project for Knight Design for ten tiebacks to match Mulberry Home Wilderness fabric and shows the process of creating a bespoke design from working drawing to finished product in situ. 


I also went slightly off-piste as a guest on Litopia's Midnight podcast along with the horrortastic Barbie Wilde. I'd never done anything like this before and was unsure what to expect. Historically when I'm nervous I either babble like an idiot or my mouth turns into Velcro and I can't utter a word. It seems neither of those incidents happened on this occasion.

NEW DIFFUSION RANGE
Towards the end of 2015 we launched the first products in our new diffusion range, Guernsey. This collection of tassels, tiebacks and trims, all in marl colour mixes, is part Missoni, part windswept washed out beachcombers and part late 60's children's illustrations.
Above, new Guernsey key tassels.
Available from Jessica Light Shop.
New products being added over the next couple of months.