Secret Belfast Art | Ken’shin Jones

Belfast's Craftworkshop is opening a new Artspace for local underground artists on December 2nd, and Secret Belfast is playing our part by helping find unknown artists in Belfast.

When I sent out the message on Secret Belfast explaining what we were looking to do, the Facebook wall and my inbox was soon bunged with images and links from an eclectic bunch of artists.

One of the artists in my inbox that caught my attention was Ken’shin Jones. I managed to coerce Ken’shin into doing a quick interview for the blog...check out the interview, as well as some of Ken’shin’s art below.

Hello Ken'shin, thanks for speaking to us.

You're welcome

How would you describe your art?

I’m not sure what genre I fall under, I don’t really worry about stuff like that. I just know what artists I like and what I like to create.

What artist’s work do you look at before embarking on a new project?

There are a load of different people whose work I like. I think Magnus Blomster’s illustrations are pretty cool, striking and original which is what I like. Cryssy Cheung is another illustrator who’s work I am a big fan off – very distinctive. Gary Fernandez is probably my favourite illustrator at the minute – lots of lines and shapes and all slightly warped.

All these illustrators have created very complex work, but I prefer a simpler canvas, which is why I also look to photographers a lot for inspiration. Irving Penn creates very striking simple images that are also very stylish. I like the simplicity of Lillian Bassman’s black and white portraits.

But you can find inspiration anywhere. I was down in the Black Box a few months ago and there was work by a local artist called Peter Strain (I think!) and I thought it was very distinctive. Kev Largey is someone who’s work I always enjoy. I was down at BASE and loved seeing what everyone was up to.

What sets you apart from other artists?

I am very much a 21st Century person. I love all things digital and like that reflected in my art. I also like to keep up to date with what is going on in fashion and music both locally and overseas.

There are so many different trends emerging in Belfast, each with their own very individual style and that is great for a bit of inspiration. But in today’s digital world you are only a Google search away from seeing what is going on in other countries.

Ken’shin will be exhibiting at the upcoming Secret Belfast Art Exhibition in the Craftworkshop (29 Wellington Place) along with a host of other undiscovered talent.

The exhibition will open on December 2^nd (7-9pm) and will be running throughout December.

Hallowe'en in Belfast

There is so much going on in Belfast over the weekend I thought other than bombard Facebook and Twitter with the info I would write a quick blogpost of 10 things I like the sound of.

In no particular order:

1. Plot 15 Supperclub are hosting their underground restaurant experience, last I heard there were a few spaces // Friday 29th (click here)
2. QFT's Hallowe'en Special screening of The Exorcist: the Director's Cut // Sat 30th (click here)
3. The Goblin Market at the Black Box // Sat 30th (click here)
4. Hellzapoppin' presents Hellzaween at The Terrace // Friday 29th (click here)
5. Hallowe'en Fancy Dress Pub Quiz and Disco in the Errigle // Sat 30th (click here)
6. Children's book launch at No Alibis (Lost Dogs by Garrett Carr) // Sat 30th (click here)
7. Hallowe'en Burlesque Party at the Black Box // Sat 30th (click here)
8. Miss Havisham presents Vintage Tea Party // Sun 31st (click here)
9. Volume Control presents Heathers, Kerry Leatham and the Wonder Villains // Fri 29th (click here)
10. For those who want to ignore Hallowe'en altogether - The Royal Ulster Academy show at the Ulster Museum // free tour on Saturday at 2.30pm (click here)

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if there is something you feel has been left out leave a comment.

Happy Hallowe'en from Secret Belfast

Secret Belfast X

Just a quick post about our new Facebook Group. Secret Belfast X will operate alongside the current Facebook page, but comes with a whole load of new features which I'm hoping will make it easier to share opinions, stories, events, tips etc. all about Belfast.

We have a few good posts so far, a few interesting things been going on, and yet to come!

1) The Belfast Ghost Tour

2) A circus cabaret school (BYO!)

3) Maybeshewill, Kasper Rosa and Colly Strings playing at Auntie Annies

4) Final night of Don't Shoot the Clowns

5) Saturday afternoon sessions at the Craftworkshop

6) A Hallowe'en burlesque party

7) A silent art auction

8) A Hallowe'en fancy dress pub quiz and disco

9) The Royal Ulster Academy show at the Ulster Museum

10) Love and Death inc

If you want to join up to find out what's going on or to give your input click here.

Thanks - R

Secret Belfast Art

Belfast's Craftworkshop, run by Emma Gilles, is one of the most interesting places I have set foot in for a long time. Full of the bizarre and the wonderful it is a place I could spend hours exploring and digging out hidden treasures.

For as long as I have known Emma she has been set on opening a Gallery in her shop, and if Emma wants to do something you can be sure that she will. As with everything in the Craftworkshop the Gallery is to be an artspace with a difference, concentrating on Belfast's underground artists.

On Sunday past I suggested to Emma that we do a little mail out on Secret Belfast to see if there were any artists out there who might be interested in exhibiting in the as yet unopened space. By Monday afternoon we were inundated.

To say we were happy with both the quality and the quantity of the response would be an understatement and as a result Emma is now considering the possibility of opening the Gallery using all the underground artists that posted on Secret Belfast.

Just to give you an idea of the variety of the work I have picked out a few artists you should check out, click on the name to visit their websites.

Trisha McNally

Caitlin Catface Palmer

Kyle Barnes

Ryan O'Neill

Lisa Catherwood

David Lee Badger

Ember Jewellery

To view all the artists that posted visit the Secret Belfast Facebook page.

Now it's over to the Craftworkshop. Emma will be contacting those that posted to discuss the upcoming exhibition (be patient there's a lot going on in that little shop!). And as always we will be keeping you updated on Secret Belfast with dates and anything else you need to know!

Thanks everyone!

Genorousitea...

Generositea

When Joel asked me to start to blog about Belfast I thought that it would be great to talk about individual Belfast people, which I will do over the next few months, but first i have to tell you about the generosity and warmth that has come into my tea room in the heart of the city. When I started Craft workshop I thought like any other job you do your work you supply a service you hope you get paid and nothing more. As the months progressed and my project came alive I have to be honest I could not have done it without some of the gifts and actions of some of the people who walked through my tea room door, I don't know what it is or how it really started but people started to come in and leave things as a curiousitea gift for other people to enjoy. Alot of the gifts are tea related on one morning I was so moved as three cardboard boxes full of stunning china had been left by three different people.Two little old ladies left two of boxes{heavens knows how they got them in there and the other? I don't know. We use the china in our tea room, I have lost count of the amount of people that have brought in tea pots, jugs, cutlery all of which we use to serve our exquisite tea and butter your Veda with! Unbelievably and much to my annoyance I will never know who has left what as some items have been left with no name, no note, just given.Other curiousity items are antiques,apples and items from old Belfast.The banter and fond memories from people chatting who never met before they came into the tearoom is really heartwarming and really great craic..It reminds me sometimes of sitting in a pub in Donegal where anyone talks to anyone all we need is the turf fire!I get an education working in the tearoom.It makes me smile. I have plenty of ladies and gents over 70 who call in for tea and chat sitting amongst students and ladies that lunch-they are hilarious and full of forgotten knowledge.{Ill blog about them another time} I could listen all day but I have to work! If you didn't already know Craft workshop is situated inside Parsons building, our front door is the entrance to it, we get lots of business men and grooms etc walking through our crazy shop. Some of the gentlemen who have strolled in have called back in a week later with a gift for Craft workshop. Believe it or not I wished for a stags head for our Crafty Manor tea room. Well come and see the one on the wall! A very successful business man carried it under his arm and gave to us as a gift, I was flabbergasted! -still am All these things I didn't plan, all these people I didn't ask, its just happened and it has become the back bone and the character of the business which is quite frankly hard to put into words.I hope I have intrigued you enough to come take a peek and munch on an armagh apple{another blog about the apples soon-the shops covered in them}
I guess what I am trying to say is there are good people out there who want to see someone or something do well in Belfast and isn't it great? They could be your workmate or your neighbour or maybe its you! Well whoever you are thanks for the china and come in for a cuppa tea soon..its belter working in our tearoom! lots of craft, crafty ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkAV7j1BJG0