By Dorothy Bourne
Published May 12, 2017
A leading artist whose woodblock prints hang on the walls of many homes and offices, is joining the exhibition lineup of Design Undefined at Clerkenwell London on May 23-25, 2017.
For this exhibition the artist, Alex Booker, is departing from his signature landscapes and nautical scenes to create a woodblock exploration of Clerkenwell’s history, capturing the characters, industries and political movements that shaped the area with wood, ink and paper.
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Alex Booker’s work will be displayed across the store’s main retail space, including portraits, architectural prints of the area, maps and works relating to the design trade.
In preparation for the show, Alex Booker has found himself immersed in Clerkenwell’s social and craft heritage, uncovering a rebellious cast of chartists, socialists, trade unionists, and remarkable individuals such as artisan radical William Lovett, the ‘Grand Old Man of India’ Dadabhai Naoroji (Britain’s first Asian MP) and Joseph Grimaldi (aka ‘Joey the Clown’), the great Victorian entertainer still revered by clown performers today.
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This complex social tapestry will be referenced in Booker’s woodblock works, which include an exclusive limited-edition print to be sold at the show.
For those wanting a more hands-on insight into the ancient art of woodblock printing, Alex Booker is hosting one-hour workshops on May 16, 17 and 18 at 10:00-11:00 AM and 12:00 noon-1:00 PM.
Other artists exhibiting at Design Undefined include Anthony Burill, Jordan Söderberg-Mills, Michael Marriott and ALUSID.
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Meanwhile, Nairobi National Museum in Kenya is set to host its 5th annual 5th annual Nairobi International Cultural Festival on the theme,
‘Celebrating Cultural Diversity’. The single day event, on May 13, 2017, is expected to bring together participants from all over the world to celebrate diversity in Cuisine, Music, Dance, Handicrafts and Fashion.
