Tuesday 3 January 2023

22 into 23 - Happy New Year!


The close of 2022 marked my second year as curator of The Signifier : six : shot : gallery which officially launched January 2021 and, every calendar month since, has hosted an artist’s showcase of just six images linked by aesthetics, techniques, processes, philosophies, formal or conceptual elements. 

Some of those exhibiting with us are already well-established, internationally renowned artists, some have gone on to win major accolades since featuring. That’s not saying they wouldn’t have without the six shot! They were clearly on those positive trajectories when selected, but Signifier believes their successes are worth celebrating. Plus, it’s a welcome vote of confidence in the acumen of the curator’s eye. 

You can read my summary of all 24 exhibitions HERE




...and I am very happy to announce that year three is off to a stonking start with an exhibition by one of my favourite creative persons, Jonathan Meades, who you may know better as a television film-maker, newspaper columnist, and audacious author. 

You can view his six shots, Treyfs and Artknacks, HERE

I continue writing as a critic at Frame Rated, which keeps me in fine company among a top-notch team of movie buffs and film fans. During 2022, I wrote retrospective reviews for a couple of mainstream 1980s crowd-pleasers that I still love: 


  


...as well as plenty of other, perhaps more 'cult' favourites, a few of which I link to below including high camp horror, visionary science fiction suspense, a seminal Vampire classic, a dreamy Japanese thriller, Italian Giallo essentials, and an edge-of-the-seat Korean thriller... (kudos for knowing the film before clicking on the thumbnail to read the extended reviews): 


 

  

  


In addition to curating the aforementioned Signifier : six : shot : gallery, I also edit The Signifier publication on Medium and contribute regular articles on art, design, and media. My most popular pieces this year included articles about the art of chess, Gustav Klimt's paintings of trees, an ancient magical scroll featuring nine Chinese dragons, an overview of Joan Miró, a celebration of J-Pop-Art phenomena Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and a School of Athens Renaissance reunion... 


   



As for fiction, my best-selling book of 2022 was a close tie between This That and The Other Books One and Two, and when Books Three and Four catch-up, I assume pressure for Part Five will mount! Zel and me are sure looking forward to That! 

Big 'thank you' goes to all those who have joined Rietta and Carla on their adventures across the Three Realms so far. All your support - whether that's reading the books, sending us letters of encouragement, or helping to spread the word on social media - is always appreciated... and for those yet to get involved in the epic fantasy adventure, please check-out the four-book sequence so far via amazon


That's all for now, except for me to wish you and yours all the very best for 2023!

For news and updates follow me on 

Twitter   |   Medium