July 2023
July was so busy!!! It began with Josh’s first paid gig on the first, followed shortly by my first visit to the Royal Albert Hall to see a Strongman showcase. I started a new artwork inspired by me learning Hindi and my recent reintroduction to embroidering small patches in celebration of 10 years since I first released them! You can see the 10 patches I made to celebrate 10 years below. My lego obsession continued and even included a visit to Legoland with my two new cousins who came to stay from Italy for a week, it was so fun getting to know them and felt like it had been years. I saw some art inspired textiles, focussed on sequins and also giant water lilies, as well as attending a midnight screening of Barbie hosted by T Girls on Film. Me and Josh did a lil roadtrip up to Leicester to get tattooed and it was so much fun, you can see more details about everything I mentioned in this jam packed July 2023 Newsletter.
Its Disability Pride Month but I dont even know what to say. Being disabled during a pandemic, looking around as people take no precautions and have learnt nothing from this global shared experience. Most of the time I realise my loved ones and those who are disabled and living life like the pandemic is in the present tense are the people who care and its lonely and demoralising seeing us forgotten by everyone else at minimum and called fear-mongerers and targeted for masking at most. The burden shouldnt be solely on us to protect ourselves, we should be protecting eachother for the greater good of all.
Hopefully this newsletter brings you some joy or inspiration!
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On the 1st of July, Josh had his first paid gig alongside his girlfriend Zoe which was at a cute lil bookshop in Bermondsey called Morocco Bound. He played 7 original songs as well as a cover of The Sound of Silence. One of the originals was a duet, when Josh and Zoe sing together it sounds so dreamy and loving. Im so proud of Josh who started doing open mic nights at the beginning of 2022, and has kept up a great momentum with improving his writing skills and confidence to perform in front of people. At the beginning of this particular performance there was some very noisy sausage dogs barking outside and it was tense for a moment but he didnt let it throw him off, he laughed and carried on singing. Im so glad I didnt miss out on this night, he did so well and I hope he’s proud of himself. He has come a long way already and I cant wait to hear more to come. Zoe has done so well to help guide and encourage Josh on his journey with music and Im glad he has her, they make an iconic duo in my biased opinion. Here are some clips from Joshes songs as well as a longer part with him and Zoe’s duet at the end. Give them a follow JOSH + ZOE and show them some love if you like what you hear, im sure it would mean a lot!
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Last month we got Dad (and ourselves) tickets to see a Strong Man showcase at The Royal Albert Hall and it was fucking epic! In 1902 there was a bodybuilding contest called the Great Competition there. Id never been to the iconic venue before so this 4+ hour event was pretty surreal from start to finish. From the epic WWE like entrances with fireworks, to the world record breaking feats of strength to the Australian singing Strong man duetting with a professional organist to sing Robbie Williams - Angel. There were 5 events, first Scottish stone carrying, world record beaten by 10 metres, Yoke Carrying, Deadlifts, Overhead Log Lifts and Atlas Stones. We got to see our favourite Stoltman brothers, especially my GOAT Tom, 2 times Worlds Strongest Man and my Autistic King. As well as Mitchel Hooper, a Canadian in his first year of competitions, and last years events previous winner, who is looking unstoppable across the sport. There was Iron Biby, from Burkina Faso who got a world record in 2021 and got the loudest recorded reaction in the venues history! The winner was Evan Singleton, who was a WWE wrestler. Due to some last minute cancellations, Rongo Keene, a Maori Strongman put on an incredible showing, as well as doing the Haka for us all. We were literally screaming and clapping and cheering for 4 hours straight, because when someone is doing well and beating a world record you wanna cheer to celebrate and when someone is struggling you wanna encourage them with the crowds energy! It was pretty exhausting but in the best way. Dad has been watching Worlds Strongest Man since he was a kid and it was really nice to be able to share this experience with him. I dont think Ive ever genuinely had as much fun at a sporting event than this! Not to compare as obviously that would be ridiculous, but my body can do a very limited amount due to chronic pain and multiple disabilities, but to see people who train vigorously to fly around the world competing in ultimate strength competitions is so impressive and admirable. The funny thing is, after we realised that Bruce Springsteen was playing a second date at Hyde Park and we walked towards the muffled music until we heard his whole encore! Im not necessarily a fan but my brother loves him and so does Dad, but it was a perfect end to a great day to see the sky reflected in the Serpentine with so many birds while live music was playing our soundtrack.
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Giants Live at Royal Albert Hall
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Making the Lego London postcard
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My obsession with Lego has taken a new turn where I have been watching lots of youtubers and content creators who are so into Lego and imagination that it is the perfect escapism. I love seeing creative people using techniques and knowledge of their niche passions. I purchased myself a lil London Postcard set and because I knew my second cousin was visiting I decided to get him one to make while he’s here and keep as a souvenir of his first time here. Plus it was his birthday week so it was an early birthday/welcome to London present and he has seen most of the landmarks earlier that day. I made my own one and it was very cute, anything London Im going to love especially iconic landmarks including a lil double decker bus. I had also bought some Lego Dots which were a project released in 2020 and cancelled late 2022, the concept is small flat colourful bricks where you make (mostly) 2D images, including pixel art or geometric patterns. Below are some artists making incredibly satisfying artworks out of these Dots because my goal is to be able to find my own fun way of making art myself. The Dots Artists are called Pot of Dots and Virginia Bricks!
I have also included some of the youtubers I have been watching and a description of each of their content/why I like watching them. It nice to hyperfocus on something that is so colourful and creative, getting to see peoples passions for making and imagination is inspiring, wholesome and fun.
Brick Crafts - Austrian dude making a museum out of his epic, mind blowing lego city. So many cool techniques and in love with the style. Very much European style architecture, beautiful details.
Emmasaurus - A very peppy, positive person whose hubby is a lifelong lego fan and theyre really cute together. He got her into lego in 2017 and I believe she started her youtube during the pandemic. Its really sweet seeing their dynamic and creations together. More colourful and mystical.
Brick World International - A German creator who I havent watched much but looks cool and lots of trains. Super detailed mixed of modern and Medieval town with loads of lighting hooked up in the buildings, cars and roads!
Beyond The Brick - A great overall lego youtube who covers a vast array of interests including conventions, shops, private collections and creations.
Bricksie - Canadian guy, not necessarily in love with his style but still super interesting to see his collection, process and nerdy stuff in general.
Jangs Lego Reviews - This channel is very chill, almost ASMR in how softly the presenter speaks and goes through Lego sets describing them in detail and weighing up pros and cons from his perspective. He also has a Lego City but I havent watched his other videos.
Half Asleep Chris - He has made some really fun videos about lego, including making epic train sets, a massive Lego rollercoaster and models of his two cats. This video in particular he visits London landmarks and makes lego sets relating to them, including the postcard set I made.
TheBrickinPanda makes a really dynamic Italian inspired Lego City. Most Lego Cities Ive seen so far have been quite flat and large, but this one has quite drastic changes in levels creating really cool alleyways and spaces.
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Ashish Gupta’s Fall in Love and Be More Tender exhibition at William Morris Gallery
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Mum and Dad wanted to take me to the William Morris Gallery to see Ashish Gupta’s fashion in Fall in Love and Be More Tender. It showcased 60 of this designers garments made mostly from incredibly detailed sequins. I had wanted to see the show and completely forgot about it, yet Mum and Dad randomly saw it and had to show me - some kind of fate in my opinion. We love textiles, and this exhibition was stunning! Such pretty sparkles, references to global textile history including saaries, fairisle knits, Batiq prints, houndstooth and mirrorwork as well as politics including immigration and queerness. It was a feast for the eyes, the way the light reflected off the detailed and varied sequin techniques, as well as beads was stunning. There was so much colour and pattern it made me so happy and I just wanted to get a good look up close.
Below is copied from the William Morris Gallery’s website about Ashish and the exhibition as well as new photography commission from Ashish Shah.
“Originally trained in fine art, he studied fashion design at Central Saint Martins, London, founding his eponymous label in 2001. Ashish has established a reputation for high-glamour outfits designed in his studio in East London and then hand-made by skilled artisans at his small workshop in Delhi.
Ashish’s practice includes a broad range of cultural and design references, embracing both American and European fashion histories and indigenous textile traditions from across the world. Ashish’s designs often challenge preconceptions of materials and techniques, interrogating the construction of cultural identities and the ways in which clothes send signals about their wearer.
In recent years Ashish’s work has engaged more explicitly with ideas around global exchange and the complex cultural relationships between India and Britain. In both the clothes themselves and how they are presented within his photographic campaigns and fashion presentations, key South Asian reference points are increasingly pronounced and celebrated. Ashish’s signature use of colour reflects his belief in the ability of clothing to bring joy to its wearers and create a space in which different identities become unashamedly, luminescently visible.
Ashish’s use of fashion as a site for social and political engagement will be highlighted through examples of some of the politicised slogans for which the designer is best known. These will include designs emblazoned with ‘MORE GLITTER LESS TWITTER’ devised in response to the election of President Trump 2016 and a new version of his celebrated ‘IMMIGRANT’ t-shirt.
Ashish is a pioneering voice within the creative industries for his long-term commitment to inclusion and equitable representation. The exhibition will also spotlight Ashish’s Autumn Winter 2017 collection ‘The Yellow Brick Road’. Inspired by The Wizard of Oz (1939), a film that holds an iconic place within Queer culture. The season drew on an interpretation of the film by the Indian-born writer Salman Rushdie which interprets the story as an exploration of migration and an individual’s ability to determine how they identify ‘home’.
Like William Morris, traditional handcraft skills and techniques are at the heart of Ashish’s design and the context of the William Morris Gallery allows Ashish’s work to be considered within a dialogue of artisanship, adornment and thoughtful production processes. Each individual sequin is hand sewn on an embroidery frame by highly skilled artisans at Ashish’s workshop in Delhi – a process which can take anywhere from a few days to over a week depending on the piece.”
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As mentioned in my intro, Dads first cousin from America, who moved to Italy a while ago and we had never got to spend time together before. In 2019 they connected on facebook and had a holiday in March 2020 booked but obvioulsy thats when this global pandemic started and the trips were cancelled. Three years later Amy and her son Francesco came to stay with us and have a London adventure with 1st and 2nd cousins. The connection was immediate and as soon as they arrived they were welcomed by Mums beautiful luscious garden. Francesco is such a sweet kid, super smart and caring and loves animals. I showed Amy some of my art and somehow injured myself, so I was feeling really shit and stressed out that I couldnt go out with them to following day. The next morning they came in to give me and hug and a kiss, no one other than my Mum, Dad and brother see my in my sick bed, and it felt so vulnerable but so sweet to have their love and affection. They had an adventure on a double decker bus, seeing Trafalgar Square, red telephone boxes, Big Ben and the London Eye. When they got home Josh and Francesco were playing on guitars and Amy even sang us a beautiful original song. It was a special moment where I felt really lucky. The next day thankfully I was feeling a bit better (grateful for CBD bath blocks giving me relief and a long lasting heat pad) and I was able to go to Legoland Windsor with Josh, Dad, Amy and Francesco. I go into more detail with a video from the day separately below. The next day was Francesco’s birthday, I had already made plans to get a vaccine and see the midnight Barbie screening that evening but they had fun on a canal boat and walking around Camden. Then they went to see Highgate Cemetery on a moody rainy day which ended with birthday krispy kremes. Sunday morning means Columbia Road Market to see some flowers, and then they headed to the Thames for some mud-larking, Tower of London, then to my mural in Southwark followed by a full english breakfast at Terrys Cafe. The next day Amy, Francesco, Dad and i went to the V&A (briefly) before spending the day at the Science Museum. I cant remember the last time I was there, it seemed less interactive than I remember but there were a lot of cool looms and medical objects. The evening Amy cooked us some delicious pasta followed by cheese and cured meats they had brought over from Italy. They got to see some of our local parks including my fav where our Pond Life mantra was created. On their final day we went to Hampstead to see where Grandma (Amy’s Aunt) founded the community centre. It was so hard to say goodbye to them, we instantly clicked and even though Francesco is almost 3 times younger than me we created a close fun bond. We are all young at heart and thats what made it so fun. We all love history and art and culture and it was such a fun adventure for us all. I cant wait for us to catch up on the years we missed and make more memories together.
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This hairy Brown Barbie is cozy, stoned and masked. 21st of July was one for the books! Me and the girls booked tickets for a midnight screening at the Rio Cinema hosted by T Girls on Film which invited 100 Trans Dolls to enjoy the show for free while Kenby’s and Allies paid. We could have gone to an screening and bee surrounded by fun and pink but this experience was the most special, fun, lively and lovely. They also sold a great Trans history hot pink Barbie zine including a comic which I grabbed a copy of and have included details of below. I edited one of the pages to be black and white so its easier to read. Words and research - Jade Hudson (she/her) @tgirlsonfilm, Design - Rory Brown (they/them) @rory.jpg, Comic Artist - Jo Watters (they/them) @jo_wttrs and Charcoal Artist - Rosa Marouane (she/her) @lagershandytattoo.
In preparation I painted my nails hot pink (my usual colour atm but a fresh coat), rolled three spliffs with pink paper (I use blazy susans since that raw controversy), added jewel stickers to an old cigarette case, got out my 1998 Holiday Barbie, added Barbie croc charms and sparkles to my free pair of crocs, got changed into my towelling Barbie trackies, pink hoody, and diamonte Barbie socks, then the Barbie heart shaped hoops and two anklets Zars got me recently… I went all in and it was a lovely ritual especially because I never do anything fun like dressing up, feeling fun and sexy and presented in a way that takes effort and energy I dont usually have. I got us all matching hot pink/silver glitter lighters for this occasion.
Even before we got to the event we had a smoke at Zars, and on the way me and Mol saw soooo many people in Wood Green wearing pink. Couples, friends, hijabis, mums and daughters, it made my heart happy. At the cinema, a queue lined the road before doors opened and everyone was wearing pink or glitter or denim and looked like utter babes. I cant describe the levels of joy and jubilation I felt to be amongst queer camp people. I personally was dressed head to toe in hot pink, probably for the first time in my life and it was freeing and made me genuinely happy. A few years ago, as silly as it sounds I decided to wear hot pink after rejecting it so much over the years due to internalised sexism. The film was art, it was so much better than I couldve hoped for. I loved the wardrobes, the specific Barbie references, the animations of flat plastic toys, all the colour, the architecture and set designs, as well as the jokes. Of course there were self aware, self referential, socio-political aspects to the plots of script but the under lying point to me is just fun. Im not someone to usually overanalyse films I watch, especially if Im stoned so Im not going to start here, it was just fun and the atmosphere of the night was top notch which added to my experience. I have no idea why but I didnt believe in Ryan Gosling as Ken and even during the press run I realised how wrong I was because he was 100% committed in the most wholesome way and he’s actually perfect. I cant say it enough, it was a beauty and a joy to watch. It was special to be watching it in community with my queer siblings who dissect gender and sexuality in a deeper way already which led to lots of funny heckles and cheers throughout. It was a really special night with my girls, I felt like I was in a dream but when I woke up the next day I was still buzzing. I got back into Barbie during 2020 as a way of escapism, nostalgia and seeking childhood joy and it gave me a new lease on life as far as allowing yourself to just have fun and indulge. Especially because I love miniatures, dolls clothes and accessories are just an extension of that. I hate how dolls are dismissed as vapid, pointless, childish because mostly girls partake. Dolls are imagination, expression, creativity, story telling and so much more. Of course, Barbie, as with any dolls arent perfect. I like how Margot Robbie says in an interview that “Barbie has for sure been ahead of her times on many occasions, and she has also been behind the times with other things, but she was always been evolving.” It sounds like it was a dream to film? Im sure it wasnt perfect but the cast are singing eachothers praises, had a group sleepover, group film watching sessions and got eachother lil gifts.
Getting emosh watching a meet the cast because theyre all passionately happy, and especially complementary of Margot as both an Actor and also her role as a Producer. Issa Rae said they couldnt help but feel happy in Barbie Land, and that really came across. I will say that I shed a tear because I am a sentimental, emotional, sensitive person and thats ok.
I wanted to end on this summary by Pierce Eldridge (she/they) founding editor of @sissyanarchy as I felt it summed up the night so perfectly better than I could: “Prior to arriving at the Barbie screening at Rio Cinema, I was filled with joy. I knew I was going to be in a safe environment to cackle - and make quick quips loudly during the presentation - with community and allies; and I was excited not only for the movie but for the beauty I knew I would experience all around me. I came in a simple blue attire, knowing very well that pink would rule the Rio walls on the evening, so I wanted to be complimentary to the prissy-sissy-sassy pink... which didn't disappoint. Everyone was so beautiful, incredibly friendly, had a giddiness about themselves, and just genuinely seemed excited to be there.
I don't think I've ever really been to a screening like it before where it felt so monumental for 'femininity' or "transness' more broadly, yet the allegory I received - throughout the whole movie - was one directly felt and ascribed to (for me) trans people and trans-feminist ideology. There's a brilliant moment in the film which surmises this thinking for me (spoiler ahead) where: Gloria (played by America Ferrera) labels the injustices to femaleness at the hands of male patriarchy, addressing many things with distain, before turning to Barbie (ugh, love Margot Robbie) and says (something along the lines of), 'and I can't even imagine what it would be like for you, you're a doll.'
Snap. Bang. Boom. The cinema was electric. Roaring with laughter and genuine, affective, radical, participation in the collectivising necessity to commune, experience, and just, very simply, enjoy together. Endlessly thankful to all the organisers. It was brilliant. I'm a greedy slut, can we do it again?"
And finally back to LEGO, heres a custom Lego Barbie Dream House!
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Barbie midnight screen hosted by T Girls on Film
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I was really looking forward to visiting Legoland Windsor with my new lil cousin but I think he was on the upper age of the rides and activities so it wasnt as epic for him as we’d hoped. He still had a fun day with us though, we loved the Haunted House and pirate water slide ride. It was a beautiful sunny day, we had lunch while watching a pirate themed stunt show and then got icecream after. It was really sweet seeing so many happy kids and their parents, its wholesome and and infectious happy energy to be around. I bloody love miniatures so I was obviously excited to see the Miniland and how it has changed since I came here as a kid. I only really remember the Houses of Parliament as I have a photo of me and Matt in front of it as toddlers (you can see it on this months cork board). I had a lot of fun seeing all the lego sculptures of different characters and animals, some mythical some real all over the park. I just wish we couldve gone on one of the train rides there but the main train was down for maintenance and we ran out of time to try the other one.
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Legoland Windsor
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Can you believe it? 10 years ago I released my Ghoul Guide patches into the world and my life changed for ever! Thousands of patches sold, patches made for the Radical Brownies in Cali, workshop with kids in Peckham, patches for friends and family and generous strangers. Not to mention the people and companies who plagiarised my exact designs and even used my images. Ive made these ten patches to represent who I am 10 years later. It was a pleasure to go back to something which moulded me as a person, maker and artist. My patches are part of my origin story, and with the ups and downs Ive had with my craft and disability this project reconnected me with my passion and true love. I want to stop looking at my embroidery as part of a past life, in the past tense, I want embroidery to be with me consistently and to fall back in love with my medium. Without the bitterness, jealousy, angst, anger etc. Those feelings are valid but theyre not helpful for my psyche, these patches reminded me that sewing little and often leads to creating something beautiful. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎 The patches are pretty self explanatory, representing my personal life, disabilities, politics, hobbies and interests. I love how colourful the patches are and Mum helped me to achieve the outcome I wanted using rainbow ric rac for the first time. I added a rainbow shoelace my brother got me as the string to hang it up and the brightness is super satisfying and makes me smile.
I thought Id mentioned that Mum has always taught me, “if you fail to plan you plan to fail” and for whatever reason my mind struggles with thinking backwards or in negative space so I didnt understand when Mum was explaining how we were going t add the ric rac. We wended up making a smaller practice version, trying to replicate the angles of the main piece, so that I could practice and fully understand the process. It worked out so well and gave me the confidence to keep going.
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Making 10th Anniversary Ghoul Guide Patches
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A short and sweet acknowledgement that this month ends with World Embroidery Day. I have been obsessed with this medium ever since I first tried it when I was 17. It saved my lived, it gave me confidence and allowed me to carve out a style for myself. Due to chronic pain and disability I have had somewhat of an identity crisis surrounding not being able to do this as a career (it is labour intensive and I cant commit to paid work regularly like I used to). I dreamed of having a career in art, specifically pushing and pioneering my favourite medium which I believe has been disrespected and neglected in many ways. I have met so many amazing embroiderers and feel a kinship with those who stitch now, in the past and in the future. Embroidery is amazing for therapy, a way to get hypnotised and lost in the process of doing one stitch at a time, a lovely slow pace. HERE is an article about some exhibitions in the UK which focus on embroidery and its use as a political, powerful message holder. If you’ve never tried embroidery before but want to learn, check out THIS free resource I made with SWARM x ICA, you’ll need an embroidery needle, thread, calico or some other fabric, scissors, a pencil to draw or transfer your design and ideally an embroidery hoop (to help protect your hands from straining in my experience). The great thing about embroidery is you dont have to spend too much money, costs can be kept to a minimum and materials can stretch far.
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In my February 2023 newsletter I mentioned a panel discussion I listened to about representation of empire history in stately homes in the context of art. It featured an artist called Thomas J Price who creates larger than life sculptures from traditional statue materials such as bronze, to make representations of fictional people of African descent. He made it clear that the people he is creating in sculpture dont exist but are inspired by features and styles. While visiting the museums with Amy and Francesco we stopped into the V&A before heading to the Science Museum (Natural History Museum was ticketed and had an hour long queue so we gave that a miss this time). I was so happy to see some sculptures by Thomas amongst the marble and stone statues and busts, as well as a massive one outside. I figured I might as well share them here as representation is so important to me, not just so people can see themselves in society and culture but also to confront the historical fact that most art in museums and galleries in europe was done by white people, many rich with access to training and education. Art from across the world has been labelled as naive, primitive or folk art, and lesser than european artworks. Thomas says “I want people to recognise themselves and feel valued” I have included some photographs of two heads, and full body statues on different scales and made from different materials, but you can see more in the video HERE which is better to see them in the context of the gallery space.
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Art on the Underground is a part of Transport for London who are in charge of art, commissions and other things like that which add colour and history to our transport network. It is a dream of mine to work with TfL, to have the opportunity to design a map cover, posters or custom site specific artwork would be amazing. Gloucester Road Station on the Piccadilly Line has a platform which is no longer in use and is the perfect location for art commissions which usually run for a year. The 2023 - 2024 artwork is called Pond Life: Albertopolis and the Lily by Monster Chetwynd. As soon as I saw teasers for this I knew I needed to see it as me and my boys have a mantra called Pond Life, inspired by a small local park with a pond which we have spent many hours smoking and talking and meditating in. Seeing as me and my cousins were around the corner at the Science Museum in South Kensington, we made the 10ish minute walk to Gloucester Road Station to see it before making our way home. The artwork is inspired by the Victoria Amazonica, the worlds second largest water lily found in Guyana. It consists of 5 circular pieces leaned up against the arches of the stations architecture, as well as one stand alone sculpture in the form of a lizard holding a leaf like an umbrella. It is known that Victorians used the structure of the leaf from the Victoria Amazonica to be able to create and construct greenhouses including the one used for The Great Exhibition of 1851. The 5 circular artworks have leaves, bugs, frogs, frogspawn and architectural details. It was really cool for me to see this, as it is one of my favourite architectural facts, especially relating to Guyana. I have included a copy of the leaflet which accompanied this commission as it is jam packed with research and references including a timeline. My biggest heartbreak is that my dream for visiting Guyana this year was to see the Victoria Amazonica in situ, as Ive only ever seen them at Kew Gardens, unfortunately I made a mistake with my research and wont get to see them on this occasion. I cant wait for the day I get to take that boat trip at dusk to watch the water lilies open in their natural habitat. You can see the work in situ HERE.
From the pictured leaflet: “Monster Chetwynd
'Pond Life: Albertoplis and the Lily'
May 2023-2024
'Pond Life: Albertopolis and the Lily' is a new artwork at Gloucester Road station by British artist Monster Chetwynd. The sculptural intervention takes inspiration from the Crystal Palace's radical, modular design, which was based on the Amazonian waterlily's elaborate network of ribbed veins.
Monster Chetwynd is known for her energetic artworks that defy easy categorisation. She combines historic references, theatrical performances and pop culture to tell stories about contemporary society and morality. Her installation reveals the entwined histories of Gloucester Road station and the vast programme of cultural redevelopment that followed the Great Exhibition of 185l.
Through her research into Gloucester Road station and the surrounding area, Monster Chetwynd became interested in the giant Amazonian waterlily. This was the inspiration behind gardener-turned-architect Joseph Paxton's pioneering, kit-form design for the Crystal Palace. It was a structure which had the greatest area of glass seen at the time, and paved the way for successive public buildings and revolutionised architecture.
At Gloucester Road station, five circular sculptures, each four metres in diameter, sit along the length of a disused platform. They are populated with creatures - beetles, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and tortoises, which appear to be constructing sections of the Crystal Palace. A salamander, holds an Amazonian lily pad as a parasol, harnessing nature's resources.”
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Its been sooooo many years since Ive been tattooed I actually cant remember what or when the last one was… To me, getting tattooed is very therapeutic and healing. I am someone who needs a physical outlet for my pain and tattooing can provide that as well as a beautiful piece of art at the end. I have wanted something from Heleena for years and Im so glad we got to do a lil sibling roadtrip up to Leicester to get some artwork inspired by our Indian ancestry.
We had the best day ever, and Josh even said it was his favourite and best tattoo experience of his life which made me so happy. The night before, Heleena messaged me that she couldnt wait to meet and that just made me even more excited because we’ve been mutuals for a while. I went first, getting a beautiful South Asian woman sitting on a skull while smoking a spliff on my left upper thigh. I couldnt think of a more perfect first tattoo to get from her, I will be adding many many more to my body in the future. I was really scared as this was my first tattoo since being diagnosed with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, I wasnt sure if my pain threshold would be as high as it has been since I started getting tattooed. I felt like myself again. Chronic pain takes so much from us and it meant the world to me that my body cooperated. Heleena was an absolute delight to be tattooed by, barely felt a scratch and we had a great time chatting throughout the day. Josh got two, a pretty lil vase on his torso and a handsome South Asian man holding a star, on his shoulder. It was an intense day having to get up early and drive a couple hours but it was such a wholesome experience meeting her, another tattoo artist working and their customer who happened to follow me and makes custom Bratz dolls!! While we were in Leicester it would be a crime not to get some South Asian food so we stopped at a place Heleena recommended called Chai Paani and got some treats including Masala Dhossa, Pani Puri, Punjabi samosas, Aloo Paratha and Paneer spring rolls. It was all super flavoursome and I was proud of myself for trying everything and tasting all the sauces and veg (need to prepare for Guyana). I woke up the next day absolutely buzzing (no pun intended) from the whole day and how soul enriching it was. HERE’S the link to my lil tiktok about our great day out!
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![Long leaflet which reads: “Tracing the Lily This leaflet traces the story of the giant Amazonian waterlily, the inspiration for Monster Chetwynd's 'Pond Life: Albertopolis and the Lily The story of the giant waterlily begins in the waters of the Essequibo River in modern day Guyana in 1837. The lily's arrival in Britain is part of the entwined histories of botany and colonialism. These histories are important to address in understanding the lily and its influence on architectural innovation. This leaflet tells the story of how the lily, with its beauty, intricate self-supporting structure, vast size, and rapid growth, reached far beyond its horticultural limits. The plant captured the imagination of nineteenth-century Britain and inspired a new form of architecture. The nineteenth century was famously an age of technological advancement and innovation. The ambitions of the British Empire were embedded in the cultural interests of the time. This was seen in the popularity of tropical plants and flowers brought to Britain from distant shores. As colonialism became an important part of the British economy, colonial ideas and interests were woven into the fabric of the country and helped define this period. These histories can be difficult to address but understanding them helps to create a more complete account of this period. Challenging dominant narratives resets our understanding of the nineteenth century. The Lily The giant waterlily is the second largest waterlily in the world. It was unlike any plant anyone in nineteenth century Britain had seen before and remains an extraordinary botanical wonder to this day. Its floating leaves grow as much as two and a half centimetres an hour and up to three metres in diameter. The submerged stalks on which the lily grows, can reach a depth of eight metres. Each lily pad is exceptionally strong and can support the weight of a child or small adult. Its white flowers bloom at night, emitting a sweet pineapple-like smell before turning pink and closing again. The sweet smell attracts scarab beetles which the lily encloses in its petals so the insects can feed on its nectar before releasing them to pollinate. (John Fisk Allen, 'Victoria Regia; or the Great Water Lily of America', 1854) Throughout the nineteenth century, adventurers were sent out across the British Empire to survey Britain's expanding territories and its flora and fauna. One such expedition was led by Robert Hermann Schomburgk in the newly acquired colony of British Guiana, now Guyana. In 1837, Schomburgk recorded his first sighting of the Amazonian waterlily. The extraordinary plant was seen in a remote backwater of the Essequibo River in Guyana. Colonial narratives often describe how Europeans 'discovered' continents, animals, and plants. This omits that indigenous people had a deep knowledge of their environment which plant hunters and European adventurers came to rely on. When the giant waterlily was first seen by Schomburgk, it had long been of significance to the indigenous Tupi-Guarani people of the Essequibo and Amazon. The legend of the lily followed the Tupi-Guarani belief that the moon was a powerful goddess who could turn girls into stars. One young girl's greatest wish was to become a star and so every night she would follow the moon. One night she saw the moon reflected on the surface of the river and as she leant over the water's edge, she fell in and drowned. To honour her and her tragic death, the moor goddess transformed her into a star of the water, the giant waterlily. A leaf of the Victoria Regia waterlily (later named Victoria Amazonica). a plant which grows in the Amazon region in South America. Courtesy Brandstaetter images / Mary Evans. The Lily's journey to Europe During the period of British Empire, plants were collected from across the globe as objects of fascination and the successful cultivation of the Amazonian waterlily in Britain became a fierce competition. There was difficulty in transporting the lily from South America to Britain. Seeds sent in purified water from Guvana germinated at Kew in 1849 but failed to flower. Sir Joseph Paxton, Head Gardener to the 6th Duke of Devonshire at his Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire, was regarded as one of the best gardeners of the day. He collected a lily seedling from Kew in August 1849. Who gave the lily its name? In 1837, when Schomburg returned to Britain he sent specimens of the lily to the botanist John Lindley for it to be classified and officially named. It was Schomburgk's wish that the lily be named after Britain's new monarch, Victoria and so it became known as 'Victoria Regia'. In 190l, when the monarch died it was renamed as 'Victoria Amazonica'. It is known variously by the indigenous people of the Amazon basin, as 'Uape Jacana' in Brazil and as 'Irupé' or 'Yakare Yrupe' in Guaraní, the most used indigenous language in Guyana. Glasshouses Sir Joseph Paxton was an influential gardener, engineer, and the architect of the Crystal Palace. The Times described him, in his obituary, as the greatest gardener of his time, the founder of a new style of architecture and a man of genius' In 1823, Paxton was appointed as Head Gardener at the 6th Duke of Devonshire's country residence in Derbyshire, Chatsworth Estate. At Chatsworth, Paxton built pioneering glasshouses to house and cultivate tropical plants from across the globe. His early glasshouses were made from a kit of glass panels and cast-iron girders. Before the Crystal Palace, his most famous constructions included the Great Conservatory, known as the 'Great Stove', and the Conservatory Wall at Chatsworth. These were forerunners to the contemporary greenhouse. The Great Conservatory housed the Amazonian waterlily upon its arrival at Chatsworth. Within a few weeks of arriving, the lily had flowered. By this time, the lily had also outgrown its tank and a new glasshouse was built for it. The Lily House was a refinement of the earlier designs and included a new feature, a ridge and furrow roof. This allowed rainwater to drain more effectively and maximum light to infiltrate the space regardless of how high or low the sun was in the sky. Paxton later said that his design was inspired by the structure of the lily: 'Nature has provided the leaf with longitudinal and transverse girders and supports that I, borrowing from it, have adapted in this building. (A collage diagram of a ridge and furrow roof by Monster Chetwynd) Crystal Palace In 1849, inventor Sir Henry Cole returned from a visit to The Exhibition of Products of French Industry in Paris. With the support of Prince Albert, it was decided that Britain should stage a similar showcase. This would be a celebration of the nation's cutting-edge industrial design and technology and a demonstration of Britain's strength. Underneath this spectacle was an emphasis on colonial power and superiority. The Great Exhibition, as it would become known, was to be staged in Hyde Park. An opening date was set for I May 1851 and an international , competition for a temporary structure to house the exhibition was held. The brief was restrictive. The structure had to be vast (covering fifteen acres), inexpensive, temporary, and built in less than a year. None of the 245 submissions fulfilled the brief. The organisers combined the best parts of the submissions to create an incongruous conglomeration of a design which could not be built in time. Meanwhile, in June 1850, six weeks after completing the Lily House, Joseph Paxton was persuaded by a well-connected colleague to submit a late proposal for the exhibition building. Paxton surveyed the site at Hyde Park and inspired by the recent success of his Lily House, he realised he could replicate the same glass design repeated in length, width, and height, to form [...] a suitable building for the Collage of Joseph Paxton's first sketch for the Great Exhibition by Monster Chetwynd. Exhibition of 185l. Within nine days, he had a design for a building which could be erected in just six months, and removed in even less time, with all materials recycled. Paxton's design was unlike anything anyone had ever seen, and he would later be credited with inventing a new stle of architecture. As he was not a trained architect, some of the commissioners resented approving a design created by a gardener. Paxton submitted his design to the Illustrated London News to galvanise public support. The response from the public was so vocal and enthusiastic that no one could prevent its progress. By August 1851, construction work had begun. 293,655 panes of glass were produced by hand by the Chance Brothers glassworks in Smethwick in the West Midlands. The iron structure was also a product of various ironworks in the Black Country. All these materials arrived in London by train before being transported from Euston station to Hyde Park by horse and cart. U-shaped roof beams served as guttering which fed into hollow columns allowing water to pass through the building and into the drains below. Paxton also created a ventilation system, allowing cool air into the structure which would be susceptible to retaining the summer heat. With over 2,000 labourers working daily, the structure was complete in less than six months. At 108 feet tall (33 metres), 1848 feet (563 metres) long and 408 feet (124 metres) wide, the building attracted hordes of admirers. They were dazzled by the sparkling glass expanses before construction was even finished. As the glass structure spread across Hyde Park it was nicknamed 'the palace of very crystal by playwright Douglas Jerrold in Punch magazine. Relocation of the Crystal Palace to Sydenham When the Great Exhibition closed and the Crystal Palace had to be dismantled, Paxton raised over £500,000 to relocate the building to Sydenham Hill in South London. The relocation of the palace and the redevelopment of the area, which is now known as Crystal Palace, was on a much grander scale than even in Hyde Park. The success of the Crystal Palace endured until a fire started on the night of 30 November 1936. The inferno blazed all night and by morning all that was left were charred remains. At the time, its destruction was viewed as symbolic of the end of an era. The Legacies of the Great Exhibition & the Crystal Palace The legacy of the Great Exhibition and the industrial developments of the Victorian period have shaped. London as we know it today. The Great Exhibition raised £186.000 (almost £15 million in today's money) and Prince Albert decided to reinvest the money in new educational and cultural sites to further British industry. A large area to the south of Hyde Park was purchased and the development of museums including the Natural History Museum. Victoria & Albert Museum, Science Museum, and Imperial College began in 1855. The area was nicknamed 'Albertopolis' and two train stations were built to transport the public to the new attractions. These were South Kensington and Gloucester Road stations. The Great Exhibition On I May I85l, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was opened. 700,000 people assembled in Hyde Park for the grand opening. Inside the palace, stretching over 500 metres, were 100,000 objects by 14,000 British and international exhibitors. There was a hydraulic printing press able to churn out 5,000 copies of the Illustrated London News an hour, an 80-blade penknife, the 191-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond, a stuffed elephant, a lighthouse beacon, sculptures including one of Queen Victoria made of zinc and a lump of gold weighing 50kg. There were many other thousands of impressive objects and machinery. With sunlight reflecting off every surface, it was impossible to absorb in its entirety. Charlotte Bronte wrote: 'Its grandeur does not consist in one thing, but in the unique assemble of all things". The western end was designated for Britain and its colonies and the eastern end to the rest of the world. The idea of British colonies being a part of Britain's national identity developed more decisively towards the end of the century. (Interior of the Great Exhibition, I85l. Courtesy Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851) However, the Great Exhibition positioned Britain on a global stage. The image of Britain as a superior industrial force would be utilised to devastating effect in the colonial expansion of the late nineteenth century. Bv the time the exhibition closed on October 1851, over six million people had passed through its doors, over a third of the population. “Monster Chetwynd 'Pond Life: Albertoplis and the Lily' May 2023-2024 'Pond Life: Albertopolis and the Lily' is a new artwork at Gloucester Road station by British artist Monster Chetwynd. The sculptural intervention takes inspiration from the Crystal Palace's radical, modular design, which was based on the Amazonian waterlily's elaborate network of ribbed veins. Monster Chetwynd is known for her energetic artworks that defy easy categorisation. She combines historic references, theatrical performances and pop culture to tell stories about contemporary society and morality. Her installation reveals the entwined histories of Gloucester Road station and the vast programme of cultural redevelopment that followed the Great Exhibition of 185l. Through her research into Gloucester Road station and the surrounding area, Monster Chetwynd became interested in the giant Amazonian waterlily. This was the inspiration behind gardener-turned-architect Joseph Paxton's pioneering, kit-form design for the Crystal Palace. It was a structure which had the greatest area of glass seen at the time, and paved the way for successive public buildings and revolutionised architecture. At Gloucester Road station, five circular sculptures, each four metres in diameter, sit along the length of a disused platform. They are populated with creatures - beetles, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles and tortoises, which appear to be constructing sections of the Crystal Palace. A salamander, holds an Amazonian lily pad as a parasol, harnessing nature's resources. A new film by Monster Chetwynd, 'Who named the Lily?' is on view in the station. It celebrates and laments the complicated history of the Crystal Palace. Chetwynd plays the 'Fact Hungry Witch', who explores the story of the Amazonian waterlily, and reveals its links to engineering. She interviews historians and academics, using humour to subvert broadcasting norms and open-up the political implications of the story. The artwork brings to light the politics of Paxton's developments in industry and architecture. However, the protagonist of this story is the waterlily - a catalyst for ground-breaking technological advancement.”](https://mcusercontent.com/6e06744c2d4de99655a7ba82f/_compresseds/819c11de-73ac-b03d-cd83-84ebd4b18912.jpeg)
