Sometime ago, I painted this for my brother as a birthday present. Ideas were swimming around in my head for a long time. Finally, I sketched them; then got painting. Occured to me that I spent a fair time watching paint dry...... and enjoying it! ;-)
Friday, 12 June 2009
watching paint dry...
Sometime ago, I painted this for my brother as a birthday present. Ideas were swimming around in my head for a long time. Finally, I sketched them; then got painting. Occured to me that I spent a fair time watching paint dry...... and enjoying it! ;-)
Monday, 8 June 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
our 'little paki' friend...
So we should just disregard it. After all, it's a 'harmless' comment; quoted completely out of context and so on. Prince Harry meant it as an affectionate term and has since apologised. It's all good, then...
Actually, I'm a 'paki' in the broader sense. I could also be a rag head; my national costume has a four-cornered hat made out of fabric. I wonder how prince Harry would describe that.
This is found much closer to home. I'm consistently called 'paki' when waiting for a bus in Bradford-on-avon. It usually happens after dark; always from a passing car and at high volume. Part-time, ineffective policing of the area and a lack of CCTV means this continues regardless.
So what do I make of it? After 30+ years in the UK, I feel it is an old-fashioned, colonial attitude. If I get a chance, I'd like to tell people who call me 'paki' that Pakistan is a result of the British playing empire games. Then I'd suggest they spend a day in London. There, us 'pakis' are a significant part of the community. We contribute to culture, the economy, infrastructure and life in general, just as we do elsewhere. Take away the 'paki factor' and London will be a sadder place - much like bradford-on-avon - where the only multicultural interaction seems to be one of hurling racial insults from a passing car....
Actually, I'm a 'paki' in the broader sense. I could also be a rag head; my national costume has a four-cornered hat made out of fabric. I wonder how prince Harry would describe that.
This is found much closer to home. I'm consistently called 'paki' when waiting for a bus in Bradford-on-avon. It usually happens after dark; always from a passing car and at high volume. Part-time, ineffective policing of the area and a lack of CCTV means this continues regardless.
So what do I make of it? After 30+ years in the UK, I feel it is an old-fashioned, colonial attitude. If I get a chance, I'd like to tell people who call me 'paki' that Pakistan is a result of the British playing empire games. Then I'd suggest they spend a day in London. There, us 'pakis' are a significant part of the community. We contribute to culture, the economy, infrastructure and life in general, just as we do elsewhere. Take away the 'paki factor' and London will be a sadder place - much like bradford-on-avon - where the only multicultural interaction seems to be one of hurling racial insults from a passing car....
Monday, 8 September 2008
save energy.....watch more tv...
Hypocrisy and mixed messages are part of daily life. Most are subtle. Some, like this one at castle square and the NHS' lottery system for treating serious illnesses are not so. Cara takes up the story about a big screen.....
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
it's your M&S....
Most of us know where cheap goods come from. Many are aware of appalling conditions these are manufactured in. Almost all of us are taken in by large-budget, feasible-sounding, "nothing bitter about our fairtrade coffee" type campaigns.
The recent panorama programme featured Primark. While we focus here, others are getting away with unacceptable things packaged as ethical practice. Don't just take my word for it though - www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=100934
After all, we want our children to look their best in school uniforms, don't we? So what's it matter if people are paid 60p a day? It's a lot of money for them, isn't it? Don't forget, it's "your M&S"......
The recent panorama programme featured Primark. While we focus here, others are getting away with unacceptable things packaged as ethical practice. Don't just take my word for it though - www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=100934
After all, we want our children to look their best in school uniforms, don't we? So what's it matter if people are paid 60p a day? It's a lot of money for them, isn't it? Don't forget, it's "your M&S"......
Thursday, 22 May 2008
art for living....
Art for life at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital held a charity auction on 20 May at the Castle Hotel. Titled 'art on the block', nearly 80 pieces of original work were sold, raising a staggering 5200gbp or so. Well done to Bronwen Gwillim and her team; this - a herculean task by any standard - was carried out extremely well.
The idea of producing any type of artwork on A5 wooden blocks, measuring 21cm x 16cm, must be unique. Such was their unusual appeal, all sold within an hour. I was outbid on 3 pieces, but happily so; it would've raised more for the project. I met John Alder, a local sculptor whose contribution, plaster of Paris bananas mounted on a block, sold quickly. John's work includes 'fruit boxes' using similar materials; these I like very much. I had seen his exhibitions before, at the Royal West of England Academy Bristol or the Brewhouse in Taunton, but that was a long time ago. I was pleased he introduced himself. I couldn't make the preview evening to meet other contributors.
At 25 gbp, entry to the auction was expensive but worth it. Apparently, the Castle Hotel hosted the evening free of charge. Disappointingly, the art for life website carried no links to the hotel or any other sponsors or contributors'. This undeservedly gave it a 'small town event' feel. In the thank you bit, artists are mentioned last in my least favourite and a pretentious way:"...... and, of course, all the contributing artists...." Surely, this should be first - no artists, no auction...... Other glaring errors would have my usabilty engineer colleague shaking her head. I noticed web copy closely following print ....hmmm.
Anyway, this doesn't take away from it being a hugely successful, enjoyable and innovative way of fundraising. Well done all!
The idea of producing any type of artwork on A5 wooden blocks, measuring 21cm x 16cm, must be unique. Such was their unusual appeal, all sold within an hour. I was outbid on 3 pieces, but happily so; it would've raised more for the project. I met John Alder, a local sculptor whose contribution, plaster of Paris bananas mounted on a block, sold quickly. John's work includes 'fruit boxes' using similar materials; these I like very much. I had seen his exhibitions before, at the Royal West of England Academy Bristol or the Brewhouse in Taunton, but that was a long time ago. I was pleased he introduced himself. I couldn't make the preview evening to meet other contributors.
At 25 gbp, entry to the auction was expensive but worth it. Apparently, the Castle Hotel hosted the evening free of charge. Disappointingly, the art for life website carried no links to the hotel or any other sponsors or contributors'. This undeservedly gave it a 'small town event' feel. In the thank you bit, artists are mentioned last in my least favourite and a pretentious way:"...... and, of course, all the contributing artists...." Surely, this should be first - no artists, no auction...... Other glaring errors would have my usabilty engineer colleague shaking her head. I noticed web copy closely following print ....hmmm.
Anyway, this doesn't take away from it being a hugely successful, enjoyable and innovative way of fundraising. Well done all!
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
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