Creative Aberdeen (2008 - 2024)

Its almost a month since the MoC x 10 show and I don't think I've had a minute to stop and think about it all. It  came about in a whirlwind and 9 days later it was over. Although we did have some late visitors who managed to get a look before the photos and artworks came down. It was a real pleasure for me to show artwork from such talented friends, most of whom I met through the blog and looking back through a decade of photos and videos really brought back some happy memories. But before getting into the show I really need to jump back to the start. So 10 years of writing about art and culture in little old, boring Aberdeen , the place where nothing cool ever happens and everyone's just sitting counting their money in granite castles. The fact I've been writing about art, in Aberdeen for 10 years is hopefully a beacon of light to anyone who might believe the above statement to be true. Back in 2007 I was busy doing stencils and paste ups, many in tribute to an ol...

Phelgm is the alias of Sheffield based graffiti artist ....... Phelgm? Ok so I don't know his real name and to be honest it doesn't really matter. What matter is that his work is incredible. What also matters is that I was told about his show and given directions by a member of staff at StolenSpace Gallery and although I took a couple of wrong turns when I finally found the derelict shop front and saw the work I was in awe! The first thing is the sheer volume of work on display. Floor to ceiling of painted jars containing all manner of mythical creatures, many of Phlegm's own signature characters but also a few guest appearance from some other big names in the graffiti / street art world. Your sucked down into this world of caged creatures, floating heads, amputated limbs and then you come out into a clearing, an open space where the characters and the animals are literally coming out of the walls! I don't think I've ever really seen a show like it, the paintings...

So it's another art & culture round up and fear not, there'll be no mention of creative funding opportunities here! Instead I like to focus on things that have given me a boost, whether its individual artists, projects or musical mixtapes. I've always been interested on what's happening here in Aberdeen but also what's happening further afield and with friends scattered across the globe I'm inundated with photos and videos of what they're up to and its nice to share some of their content and to build up better connections. Of course you can't overlook the Granite City and all that it has to offer, especially for the avid tiktoker. Yes, I've taken the plunge and have been using the app for a few weeks now and I have to say its fun. Applying the various trends to art instead of kids dancing leads to interesting results like with the sculpture above by Nasser Azam , you can check them out and follow me here .  SWEETHEARTGRIPS by Vagrant Real Esta...