Dancing in the Dark (2008 - 2024)

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...

Sometime at the start of 2021 my friend Dave Edwardson touted the idea of heading over to Paris to catch 'The Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped' the final project by the incredible Christo & Jeanne Claude. I'd only recently discovered the duo's work through a timely visit to the Oxfam bookshop on Back Wynd where I often go to peruse their second hand art books. Lo and behold I found a vintage gem featuring the early career works of Christo, covering his barrel installations on the streets of Paris. It seemed like a serendipitous moment. Fast forward 6 months and details emerged about Christo & Jeanne Claude's potential last project and perhaps what will be their most poignant work, the Arc Wrapped.  Sure to be a once in a lifetime event, I secretly held out hope of being able to travel to Paris and to witness the spectacle first hand. Of course there would be many hurdles to overcome first. I'd first met Dave a few years earlier during the first Nuart Aberdeen t...

One of the few things I like about Christmas is knowing that the Tea Cosy Fair will be popping up! The Tea Cosy Fair is a chance to check out some amazing hand made goods from some of Scotland's most talented makers and crafters both from Aberdeen and further afield. As always Smart Consultants pull together an impressive range of artists, makers, designers and crafters to create this unique event. Although there's more of these types of fair's happening over the year in Aberdeen I still think Tea Cosy is the best! And its perfect for my plan to only buy Christmas presents from local independent shops and makers! Check out the makers list below and be sure to get down for a looksie on Saturday 8th December at the rather stunning Cowdary Hall!