Gloucester Cathedral / Open West

If you happen to be around Gloucester city any time of your life do not miss a chance to go and see Gloucester cathedral. I was totally blown away by its Norman and Gothic architecture. It has one of the biggest stained glass windows in the world which is absolutely gorgeous. In matter of fact all the details are fabulous.

Fragment of the altar

South cloisters with fan vaulted roof was used extensively in the Harry Potter film series 

We were lucky enough to catch the Open West Exhibition in the cathedral which is an annual open competition and exhibition inviting work from national and international artists practicing contemporary and conceptual art in the fields of painting, installation, film and sound, textile, photography, ceramics, print, drawing, performance and sculpture.

Gurmit Kaur 'Inside Out - Umbilical Cord' (foam)

Saad Qureshi 'Others' (paint on plastic on wood)

Dorcas Casey 'Birds'  (pen nibs, wire and metal objects)

Soviet fabric designs 1920's - 1930's

Some great design samples from 1920's and 1930's Soviet fabric designs. I totally adore those chunky prints!

Anita Quansah London

Anita Quansah is UK based jewelry designer. Her pieces are strong statements, which are a fusion of modern bohemian tribal mixed with her cultural background which is Africa.

Photos are taken by Ms Sylvia Holden. Here is a little part of an interview with her where she talk about this specific shoot.

Let's talk about this shoot. What was the inspiration?

This shoot was really inspired by Anita Quansah's neck-pieces. I wanted to feature her work but still have the shoot feel very stylized. Not just a girl in a necklace with pretty hair. I wanted her skin to be translucent as if it could disappear into the backdrop, and also to exaggerate the neck-pieces against her translucence. I wanted the look to conjure Marie Antoinette but not be relevant to only that period. The alternative use of materials really helps achieve that effect. The use of Saran Wrap and Erica Carr our hair and makeup artist and homemade wigs with felt and poly fill are unique and not-period specific. It's these materials that bring this story into the present.