If you have read my post 'Purple Reigns, Dear' you'll know about my obsession with all things goth. Favourite designer: Alexander McQueen. Favourite film director: Tim Burton. Etc, etc.
Last week I dragged a reluctant Mr VKH to the Wellcome Trust on Euston Road to see the exhibition, Death: A Self Portrait. A collection assembled by Richard Harris, it showcases over 300 artworks, historical artefacts and installations that all share a devotion to the depiction of death and human attitudes towards it. Given that my final year thesis at university was a study of anatomical drawing and how it was perceived you can understand my excitement at such a weird and wonderful exhibition.
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| 'Kate' - ©Kerry Hussain 2012 |
However, my fascination is not so much one with death but rather the structure of the human body - from an artistic point of view I've always found something aesthetically pleasing about it. Understanding how our bones, and in turn, our muscles dictate the shape of our bodies, and the lines and shadows created upon it, is fascinating for me. The skull, in particular, has a beautiful shape that I never tire of drawing. In my work, the cheekbones are always a prominent feature as I love the shadows cast around the jaw line, especially when lit from directly above. In my teens I discovered Marlene Dietrich and those wonderful cheekbones. She has been somewhat of a muse ever since, along with Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham.
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| Skeleton cup stack, £55, Rockett St George |
There is now a growing trend for the macabre: this year we have seen a revival in taxidermy and anyone who's anyone is selling stuff with antlers on. Retailers such as Atelier Abigail Ahern and Rockett St George would be my first port of call for creating a den of gothic, Victorian decadence, with artwork by Rory Dobner adorning the walls.
The popularity of designers such as McQueen has seen the skull motif emblazoned on everything at the moment, from t-shirts to candles and even crockery.
All of which leads me to introduce my newest designer discovery, Lauren Baker. I came across her work whilst scouring the exhibitors list for the East London Design Show (which opens today at Shoreditch Town Hall) and, oh my, I nearly fell off my chair with excitement for 'tis right up my street! Intrigued by an image of a deer skull adorned with feathers, I delved further in to this bizarre world and was not disappointed.
Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, Lauren sources human and animal skulls (ethically, of course) then gilds and embellishes them with beads and mosaics.
The personal touch is very much in fashion and Lauren's work is no exception: each animal comes with a name and it's own story telling of it's age, where it lived and how it died.
Since producing her first piece just eighteen months ago, Lauren's work has made an instant impact within the art industry and has attracted a media and celebrity following. She exhibited at the Tate Modern earlier this year and her skulls are currently on view in the windows of Harrods.
My favourite of the lot is the 'Fred' skull, beautifully gilded in gold leaf with a stud mohican.
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| 'Fred' - Lauren Baker |
I think even Lee McQueen would have been envious of this one!
See more of Lauren's work at the East London Design Show (6th-9th December) or visit www.laurenbakermosaics.com
Watch this space for a round up of my faves from the East London Design Show, coming soon (ie, after I've been!).