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Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector at the Barbican

Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector at the Barbican presents the fascinating personal collections of post-war and contemporary artists. Ranging from mass-produced memorabilia and popular collectibles to one-of-a-kind curiosities, rare artefacts and specimens.

The collections provide insight into the inspirations, influences and obsessions of artists, including tattoo artist Dr Lakra from Mexico – whose collection includes brightly coloured album covers from his record collection – and the renowned, and sometimes controversial, Damien Hirst – whose collection consists of human skulls and taxidermy.

Album covers from the collection of Dr Lakra. Photo by Dr Lakra
Skulls on display in Damien Hirst’s house, Courtesy Murderme Collection

 

 

While some artists are connoisseurs, others accumulate hoards of objects, never letting anything go. Many make direct use of their collections and others keep them under wraps or in storage. Collecting objects for research and study is key to the practice of many artists in the exhibition. Presented alongside examples of their work, their collections help to elucidate their art.

A highlight for us is discovering that pop art king Andy Warhol is as big a fan of kitsch as we are…

Cookie jars formerly in the collection of Andy Warhol. Image courtesy the Movado Group

 

 

 

If you love quirky collections and finding out more about the artists’ creative process, this exhibition is for you. It runs at the Barbican in London from 12 February 2015 – 25 May 2015, more info at www.barbican.org.uk

 

Photos from Huffington Post

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The battlle over tattoos in the U.S Army hits a new phase

A new policy has been introduced within the U.S Army that will no longer limit the size or amount of tattoos a soldier can have in a bid to encourage more recruitment and retain those already listed.  In a press conference last week, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno stated: “as part of the regular process that we go through in reviewing regulations, covering the wear and appearance of the Army uniform, and the appearance of our Soldiers, we will be releasing in the coming weeks, an update to that policy, and the most notable change is going to be the change in the tattoo policy in the Army.”

Tattoos on the face, neck and hands are still forbidden, along with any tattoos referencing racism or hate, but the amount on a person’s torso, arms or legs are no longer restricted.  “We have listened to the Soldiers,” Gen. Odierno said. “I’ve talked to our sergeants major and our non-commissioned officers and some of our officers and frankly, society is changing its view of tattoos, and I think we need to change along with it.”

War Ink also coincides with this new law and is a series of short films showcasing veteran servicemen and servicewomen talking about the relationship they have with their tattoos in correlation to the duty they undertake for their country.  War Ink is a partnership between the Contra Costa County Library, a collective of California’s libraries, and Jason Deitch, a former Army medic and military sociologist.

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Savage Beauty

The critically acclaimed exhibition, Savage Beauty has turned everyone’s attention back towards the incredible talent that was Alexander McQueen. All of the team at Things & Ink love embracing differing opinions on what the conventional beauty standards are and no better example of this was on the catwalk of McQueen’s shows.

With the incredible talents of world famous makeup artists, Peter Philips, Val Garland and Pat McGrath, the makeup created for these shows was truly out of this world.

Savage Beauty runs until July 19th 2015 at the V&A Museum in London

 

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Amy – official trailer and your Amy Winehouse tattoos

 Amy reveals an intimate glimpse in to the life and death of Amy Winehouse, who tragically passed away in 2011 from alcohol poisoning after a long battle with alcohol and drug addiction. Her music, look and persona has lived on and the BAFTA award winning film maker, Asif Kapadia has captured the true essence of her tempestuous life in a film that is sure to prove why she was and still is adored by so many.

Check out the trailer on YouTube.

Amy Winehouse has become such a cult figure that many of us are adorning ourselves in memory to her with portrait tattoos, replicas of her own tattoos and personal designs that keep her memory alive on our skin.

Gray Silva from Rampant Ink in Nottingham

Lauren Winzer from Hunter & Fox in Sydney

Unfinished by Aaron Wickham from Horsham

Jocke JP Petersson from Pistolero tattoo in Sweden

 Roberto Euan

 Nico Lavoratori