Month: February 2022

Evocative and Inclusive Art in the Heart of Shoreditch

Fresh talent will be emerging from the Old Truman Brewery in The Other Art Fair from 17^th-20^th March. The fair is a beacon of anti-elitism, throwing off the fetters of convention and making art affordable to all.

The fair, on the popular Brick Lane, will showcase the work of 140 independent artists. Complete with immersive installations, performances, DJ’s and a fully stocked bar, it is sure to attract people from far and wide.

Miguel Fonta’s pieces are a must-see at the fair. The photographer has captured building fronts in all colours, styles, shapes and sizes across the world. Ridiculously pleasing to the eye are his tiny brown and sand-coloured bricks around imposing windows with billowing cornflower blue drapes in Amsterdam. The glorious green painted walls setting off the embellished gilded window frames make for a vivid picture, with the panes reflecting the city of Vienna outside.

Another talented artist is Marcelina Amelia. Uk-based, she uses mixed media approaches to print, painting and drawing. Her works allude to her Polish heritage, religious iconography, folk tales, the power of dreams and childhood memories. One of her most striking images is a woman, legs astride in flares and cowboy boots. Ears of corn are growing out of her boots and they compliment her bright textured mane of strawberry blond hair. Her cryptic gaze is eerily fixed on you. ‘Isolation Mode’ is a tender portrait of a melancholic woman, who cups her tilted head in her hand. She looks into the distance, 45-degrees from the centre point. The contours of her face are highlighted in bold red and shades of blue. One can sense the haunting thoughts that flicker across her eyes. How fitting for a post-lockdown age.

Last but not least, Alex McIntyre’s paintings are amalgamations of journeys he himself has taken on foot, either running or walking. They upliftingly project vast expanses of light, sky, land and weather. He paints in subtle hues and his pieces have an ethereal quality. They are also an amazing study of the ever-changing shapes of clouds.

The Other Art Fair is sure to be the talk of Shoreditch this March.

The Old Truman Brewery

91 Brick Lane

E1 6QR

New Name for Shoreditch’s Illustrious Museum

The Geffyre Museum, a transformed 18^th century almshouse, has been renamed the ‘Museum of the Home’. The name is testament to the museum’s mission: to explore the concept of home and how it has evolved over the last 400 years.

The interactive home galleries tell the stories of people from different walks of life, who came to live in the area. For example, Mrs SA from Bangladesh, who faced the challenge of integrating into a new culture whilst preserving her own and how this fusion is reflected by the décor and objects in her new home in the UK. Then there are the charming and touching letters from Thomas Adams who came to Shoreditch in 1759 from the North of England and wrote to his mother Elizabeth about his family back home.

The museum displays many gorgeous objects and items of furniture. The Japanese-style tea service from 1876 is ornately beautiful, adorned with bamboo stalks, fans and scrolls. This type of tea service reflects the fashion and tastes in homes of the time. A must-see too is the Isokon furniture from 1930-1940. It’s made from bent plywood  – a revolutionary new material at the time, which was used to create dynamic and futuristic pieces.

The highlight is the museum’s famous ‘Rooms through time’. Based on real London homes owned by the middle-class, each room is presented painstakingly with amazing attention to detail. The 1970’s front room, curated by Michael McMillan, is typical of that lived in by African-Caribbean families in the mid-20^th century. The room is complete with radiogram from the 1950’s on which you can play vinyl records while reaching for a Baby Cham or white rum from the in-built drinks compartment. On display are intricate crochet doilies – made at the time by many Caribbean women to supplement their income.

The parlour in 1695 shows an almost alien concept of home to many of us. In the room, you will notice the posset pot from 1695. Posset was a hot milky and spiced alcoholic drink thought to have had medicinal benefits. The pot was passed around, hence its two large handles. It’s a colourful and stunning object. The elephant, a drawing by John Dunstall in 1675, is fascinating. It’s a study of a real live elephant which had been brought to London. One can only imagine what an awe-inspiring sight this exotic animal was to Londoners at the time.

On Saturday 12^th March, a giant Yard Sale will be taking place in the museum’s Kingsland Road Gardens (10-4pm). The sale will feature what is described on the website as an ‘eclectic mix of attic clearout gems’. Many pieces on sale are courtesy of contemporary Hackney-based designers, and the funds raised will go to helping women and children in vulnerable and dangerous conditions across the capital.

So make sure you head to this remarkable museum, one of Shoreditch’s prized assets.

136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA

The Word On The Street

Nothing is better than sashaying down Brick Lane or parading through Spitalfields, whilst scoffing a delightful snack which you have just bought from one of the many small traders in the area. These talented street chefs create mouth-watering dishes within converted shipping containers and colourfully decorated trucks, or on market stalls, filling the air with aromas that tickle the taste buds. If you close your eyes and sniff, you can almost imagine you are in Vietnam…or is it China…or Jamaica?! It’s an amazing experience as so many countries’ cuisines compete for your nostrils!

Boxpark, a vibrant shipping container complex, is a favourite destination for street foodies. Highlights there are Mao Chow (Chinese vegan grub – how very 2022!) and Rudie’s Jerk Shack, which offers delectable treats going by such humorous names as the Yardie Box and the Jerk It Up Box! Of course, a favourite is the jerk chicken but they make a mean curried goat as well.

Chatsworth Road Market, down the road from Shoreditch, is the place to be on a Sunday. Sample the street food at Paddy Field (sushi-style Japanese rice parcels) and sumptuous Scottish toasties at Deeney’s.

Arguably, however, the best street food can be gobbled up at one of the impressive Shoreditch restaurants that are going strong in 2022. Dishoom’s buzzy atmosphere and zingy Indian street food is irresistible. Diners can kick back in Bombay-style digs with vintage colonial décor and upscale colonial touches. Not to be missed is the fried batura bread with chickpeas, and the keema pau (minced, spiced lamb in a buttered bun). Street food, one must not forget, is just as much about drink as it is about food. Try the bottomless chai tea and the famous Bollybellini – a Bellini with an exciting twist!

Another culinary giant is Smoking Goat Shoreditch. This quirky eatery is inspired by Bangkok’s late-night canteens, and launches a highly pleasurable ‘assault on the senses.’ Feast on the Loatian fried Pollock laab – an Eastern salad with an abundance of good quality, fresh winter herbs. The fish is poached in delicately balanced aromatic stock and is bursting with the gorgeous flavours of fresh citrus and chillies. The aubergine and tomato nam tok is just dreamy. Smoking Goat proudly states that their ingredients are sourced from environmentally conscious suppliers, such as @goodearthgrowers and @flourishproduce, which can’t be a bad thing.

One thing’s for sure, street food carries with it a sense of fun, which is much needed in the current climate. It also involves the younger generation of people in the country’s food culture. And Shoreditch is undeniably the kingdom of street food!

Dishoom Shoreditch

7 Boundary Street,

EC2 7JE

Smoking Goat Shoreditch

64 Shoreditch High Street,

E1 6JJ

Shoreditch Stereotypes

Walking around Shoreditch, you will encounter many wonderfully quirky characters. Here are some Shoreditch character portraits. We may poke fun and exaggerate their flaws and attributes, but we are only gently teasing. We love them really!

The Hipster

Guzzling a soya latte in the mornings and craft beer in the evenings, with a beard that is somehow both bushy and groomed, he peers at you through his designer spectacles with a mildly amused expression. A self-proclaimed vegan (with a secret penchant for burrata!) he loiters by the window of a vintage clothes shop, reading a second-hand copy of Jean Paul Sartre, whilst pondering the human condition. He is environmentally conscious and edgy in all the right places!

The Banker

Frequenting Shoreditch House, this pretentious and ruthless go-getter has a cocaine-fuelled aptitude for making money. Self-motivated and self-made, the banker knows that it pays to be entirely selfish! With a twinkle in his eyes and a sharp suit, he is highly seductive and incredibly dangerous!

The Fashionista

Not afraid to mix velvet with feathers, or to wrap her pink hair in a purple leather turban, the fashionista is unashamedly ‘out there’. She loves swishing her bright green coat, which she wears over her orange jumper, as she dissects her outfit for a vlogger on Shoreditch High Street. “My skirt is vintage Cavalli, and this top is literally from Zara,” she garbles. Nothing much troubles her, other than whether to wear her white rubber boots or Doc Martens to the thrift store. Her boyfriend is sporting a vintage 1950’s baseball jacket and Prada “skeps” (trainers, to you!) as he pouts and strides along Brick Lane to meet her.

The Techie

Existing solely on powdered protein to fuel his coding sessions, this IT genius has a computational approach to his entire life. He tracks steps, calories and heartbeats as he shows off his esoteric knowledge of obscure coding. Part of the gentrification wave, his favourite hobby is collecting modernist Scandinavian furniture!

Let’s not forget, though, it’s the diversity and quirkiness of these types of people that help to create the amazing vibrancy in Shoreditch.

A Wordsmith Joins Forces With An Enigma

Exciting, fresh artwork has cropped up on the Shoreditch streets in recent months.

WRDSMTH, once a successful writer based in LA, who became fascinated by street art, has projected his new inspirational pieces onto Shoreditchian walls of late. His work is emblazoned with his vivid trademark typewriter stencil, and the script being typed is imprinted on a piece of paper, wheat-pasted on the wall above. Crammed full of wit and pithy irony, WRDSMTH’s musings have been captivating passers-by in this vibrant pocket of London’s East End: Shoreditch. Shoreditch is known for its colourful and clever use of graffiti and its feat of transforming this aspect of urban culture into an artform to be reckoned with. At times delightfully whacky and psychedelic, WRDSMTH’s pieces are also awe-inspiringly heartbreaking. He writes, wistfully: “I let you slip through my fingers and that is something I cannot let go.”

The Japanese genius Enigma has also lit up Shoreditch with his haunting image of an other-worldly male. Drilling into your soul all steely-eyed, in a defensive pose, with his arm masking (how apt) his nose and mouth, this figure appears to be giving birth to a litter of ominous ‘black angels’, which are showering out of his head! Fallen angels? Covid ghosts? Or shadows of birds and butterflies? The ambiguity is a powerful force that elevates Enigma’s creation to the lofty heights of WRDSMTH, and even- dare I say it? –  Banksy himself (the king of UK street art). The artist Enigma was based in London pre-pandemic, then went back to Japan, before returning to London permanently.

Expect more from these Titans of Shoreditch in 2022. Keep your eyes peeled!

Cocktails and Coffee Shoreditch-Style!

A crew of characterful coffee shops have exploded onto the café scene in Shoreditch. As eclectic and vibrant as the locals, they are much more than somewhere to grab a cheeky flat white on your way to work.

Shoreditch Grind, slap bang in the middle of Old Street roundabout, has sprung forth from Melbourne’s coffee culture – or perhaps we should say counter-culture, as it has a deliciously alternative ambience and a quirky design. While there, you can get lost in their mouth-watering all-day menu, whilst indulging in Grind’s dreamy house blend of coffee, with its famous oat milk. Or treat yourself to a spot of people-watching (Grind is the ideal hangout for this particular pastime) as you slurp your way through the decadent black blend – both full-bodied and invigorating. Then it’s espresso martinis all the way as the sun goes down, and the after-work crew troop in. Nothing is better than soaking up the buzzy atmosphere and imbibing your own little cup of heaven to perk you up. In 2015, a full kitchen was introduced and since then the food has been wonderful. Open for breakfast and brunch, the café’s most popular dish is the mightily tasty one-pan eggs with chorizo, spinach and yoghurt. With its own distinctive take on a 1950’s vibe, Shoreditch Grind, part of an all-conquering citywide chain, is well worth a visit. Plus, what other coffee shops have their own onsite international-grade recording studio?

Shoreditch Grind, 213 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR

Attendant, also Australian, has rocked up to the East End, boasting good locally-sourced food and coffee. Attendant’s green coffee beans have been sourced from independent farms. Roasted at the café’s in-house roastery the beans are then ground, brewed, and uniquely infused with Attendant’s signature flavour. Attendant’s slogan is ‘built for the people’ and once you sample its coffee, you’ll believe it was built for you! Drink up this irresistible nectar and begin to get your Zen on, as you breath in and relax, surrounded by tranquillity and Attendant’s crisp, whitewashed walls.

Attendant, 74 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JL