One of the most serene and beautiful places…
ART
Thirsk Hall Sculpture Garden
Sculptures from the Ben Uri Museum plus Modern Art and St Ives
A beautiful summer discovery on my doorstep!
Saihoji Temple, Kyoto
The garden is a work of art and for me beyond description
Shōden-ji Temple, Kyoto
Beloved by David Bowie he was moved to tears by the garden’s overwhelming sense of tranquillity. One of the most serene and beautiful places I have ever had the good fortune to visit.
Hiroshima Prefectural Museum of Art
Hotch Potch Illustrations and Works of Ryuji Fujieda
One of the best exhibitions I have ever seen; witty, funny, childlike yet sophisticated — brilliant!
Vandals At Work — Vandal Fest — July 25, Vandal Fest was the third in a trio of Vandal-themed exhibitions that celebrated the rich history and culture of graffiti and street art. I was an invited artist once again to this amazing event. Thank you to everyone that bought and supported my work.
Very much looking forward to
Kiefer / Van Gogh — Royal Academy of Arts in October
Rose Wylie — Royal Academy of Arts in 2026
BOOKS
John Lennon the Life by Philip Norman
Haiku — translated by Hart Larrabee
I love Haiku poetry and this edition I bought at Salts Mill, Saltaire in June shows the humour and wit of these less is more poems. Here’s an example by Bashō
Mist and drizzle
Fuji hidden all day–
How delightful!
Japanese Interiors by Mihoko Lida
This beautiful book was a birthday present in 2023 and it never fails to astonish me when I frequently dip into it. My favourite is House Suzuki in Tokyo.
Rose Wylie by Clarrie Wallis
I love Rose Wylie’s work. She is a true original and rebel!
MUSIC
Carl Orff-Schulwerk, Vol. 2 / Musik für Kinder
& Schulwerk, Vol.3: Piano Music
“Heroes” David Bowie
Cannot stop playing Moss Garden since visiting Saihoji Temple, kyoto in August.
Interplay — Bill Evans & Freddie Hubbard
Presenting Cannonball — Cannonball Adderley
FILM
Perfect days directed — Wim Wenders (again!)
A Hen in the Wind — Yasujiro Ozu
LIKES
My Shinro Ohtake Tee Shirt and his art.
Japanese cheesecake
QUOTATIONS
"Next time is next time, and now is now " — Hirayama, Perfect Days