Erin Petson

Annie Leibowitz at London’s National Portrait Gallery

Known as the master of portrait photography, this exhibition of Annie Leibowitz’s works at the National Portrait Gallery in London marks her out as a truly versatile artist. Her landscape images of the Wadi Rum in Jordan, and her bleak, shuddering portrayal of a normally still and silent Monument Valley are utterly encapsulating and haunting. Also in this collection is a very daring and intimate look at her family, and her relationship with Susan Sontag, traced right up to her death. Read more

Julia Fullerton-Batten on street casting models

We asked London-based photographer, Julia Fullerton-Batten, about her use of non-traditional models for her work: ‘I used to approach unknown people on the streets in London and ask them to take part in my photo shoots. There are so many fascinating faces accompanied with wonderful personalities around. The freshness that street cast models have, has also benefited my work immeasurably. I now don’t have the time to find the amateur models myself. But I hire a producer to source models for me’. Read more

Simon Brader

London illustrator Simon Brader’s work is innovative and full of topical innuendo. I love his colour choices in particular, the soft watery washes blending energetically with the more stubborn, edgy textures.

The Antlers’ Hospice

I’ll admit it, on first listen and in a terrible figity mood, i jumped though the tracks, looking for the instant gratification of a big melody before switching to something else. Despite a few negative reviews from others also too quick to judge, the response to this album has been so astoundingly positive, it’s impossible to dismiss. Written after emerging from a period of social isolation and centered around issues of a man and his dying lover, The Antlers’ album, Hospice, slowly creeps up upon the listener. With delicately constructed chords and small movements, the journey of the album unravels loneliness, isolation and deep catharsis.

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James Joyce

It takes guts to be simple. Overcrowding, overworking and over-thinking are far easier. London-based artist and illustrator James Joyce shows how good color choice, clever concepts, and a keen eye for type can get you work with big clients, such as Wallpaper, Nike and Penguin Books, to name a few. Read more

Supermundane

I can tell how much I like a designer by the the speed at which I bookmark their site. With Rob Lowe (aka Supermundane), it was on the home page. That’s a pretty good sign. Supermundane is a multi-disciplined creative who impressively creates all text himself for every project he does. Prepare yourself to be jealous.