There's an artistic movement afoot that is very familiar to those of us who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s - but I can't think of a name for it. Modern British? Neo 1950s? Post-war Folk? Brave New English? The style reminds me of childhood favourites...
Edward Ardizzone
Kathleen Hale
...and this design by Barnett Freedman, the cover of my school prize for Junior English (in 19-coughety-cough.)
New designers and artists have been inspired by this graphic style and made it their own - Angie Lewin, Jonny Hannah, Paul Bommer, Emily Sutton, Mark Hearld, Ed Kluz and more.
Jonny Hannah
Paul Bommer
I have a cushion in this lovely printed fabric, Painswick by Ed Kluz.
Intriguingly, the menfolk of this artistic movement are usually dressed like the artisans of my childhood, courtesy of a unique bespoke workwear company, Old Town, based in Holt, Norfolk.
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In York last week I was reminded of these shop front illustrations by Eric Ravilious...
... because the artist Mark Hearld has dressed a window in Modern British style.
Hasten to Plaskitt & Plaskitt, 6 Blossom Street, York to see this display...
...next door to Micklegate.
Artist's prints and other beautiful objects are also to be found at Hornsey's of Ripon, North Yorkshire.
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I love the shop windows and all of the graphics!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very popular retro style in the UK - I wonder if it has spread elsewhere.
DeleteReminds me of mine too! Love this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm starting to see styles coming into fashion a third time round - at least! Also - I'm having great fun fishing my old Laura Ashley frocks out of the attic cupboards - wish I'd kept more of them.
DeleteSo pleased that you went to see the window done by Mark Hearld - great to see it and hope you found it worthy of a trip.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric 'Painswick' by Ed Kluz. Painswick is one my local towns, and I presume you know that the fabric shows follies in the famous Painswick Rocco Gardens.
I did a post on it a couple of years ago which you might be interested to see if you have not visited there. It shows the follies on your fabric.
http://wherefivevalleysmeet.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/painswick-rococo-garden-in-early.html
Of course, it's always a pleasure to wander around York.
DeleteI look forward to visiting Painswick too - inspired by you and my cushion!
Oh Nilly such wonderful images, thank you.
ReplyDeleteJean x
St Jude's Prints (I love their wallpaper) & Old Town clothes are a good reason for another visit to Norfolk...
DeleteAnother fascinating post, love the window by Mark Hearld, I am hoping to pop to York soon. Will look it out.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely time in York - are you planning any more craft fairs?
DeleteSome of my favourite work, and with the great photos of the shop window we don't have to travel there to see it. Nilly you really post such interesting things, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour posts inspire me too - you have a great eye for visual treats!
DeleteAnd thank you for introducing me to Old Town Clothing, their site is amazing! so original.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just - I love it.
DeleteI had many Edward Ardizzone books given to me by an English friend of the family. In Canada, he was not a well-known author/illustrator , but I was always thrilled to get a new book about Tim and his friends. I shared my worn books with my children and they enjoyed them, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to read this - I love Edward Ardizzone's illustrations. They are so full of movement and tenderness.
DeleteI love the book covers of this style and have several - chosen for their artwork, not their content. And the shop window is stunning - though it's not a style I would want to live with on a daily basis. Another post full of wonder, recognition and pleasure. You're a treasure, Nilly!
ReplyDeleteAxxx
I did "book design" at school as part of my O Level Art (that's showing my vintage!) and was inspired by this sort of thing. So interesting to see the style come back.
DeleteLove this post. The style and colours really appeal to me ...
ReplyDeleteHave a look at St Jude's website for some really lovely textiles etc.
Deletehttp://www.stjudesfabrics.co.uk/collections/our-range
Love this post, Thank you for sharing. I would love to read more about this. please post some new info here
ReplyDeleteOffer Waterman & Co.