Inspiration Series: No.2 - Russell Herman

I know very little of my father, so when today I received photographs of him playing with his band District Six in 1983 it sparked a desire in me to collect the images together in one place with a little piece for him. Russell Herman was of South African descent and moved to London in 1982. Alongside playing in District Six, a band made up of other South African musicians from the infamous district in Cape Town, he also stood as a member of the ground-breaking band Estudio. What set apart Estudio, who left almost no recorded legacy, is that they existed as a mixed-race group playing together in the midst of the apartheid - at a time when it would have been forbidden to do so. 

Estudio performing in South Africa in the 70s

My memories of the period we shared are scarce, and revolve mainly around his love of Tunnock's tea cakes, and so it is his contribution to music that I choose to remember him for. The kind of unity it exhibits is something that I hope to continually channel in my own life, in a bid to stand against the systems that I disagree with, and commit myself to holding strong beliefs. In his later life, Russell continued to support the distribution of South African music in London, in particular through the pianist Bheki Mseleku. He left the world in 1998 as a man well respected among his peers, as a jazz musician and avid lover of music. Though we do not often hear his name shared it is not for want of contribution to the musical arts. Today he acts as my inspiration. Indeed, one that may be distant and hazy in the best sense of the word, but all the same a man that I must recognise as a strong part of my identity.

Photos courtesy of Kenneth J Gill

The Inspiration Series: No.1

Over the past few weeks I've found myself in a bit of a rut. It's one of those things that inevitably occurs at various points in life. Though not exclusive to being young, it seems that there is an added uncertainty to being in your 20s. In an attempt to figure out the visualisation we hold for our futures we often find ourselves at a loss. Not only is there the question of what you want to do with your life, there is the added pressure of attempting to figure out who you are and how you fit into the larger space of the world. This is something that has always baffled me, as I'm sure it does many others. It occurred to me in the past couple of years that the logic behind figuring out who you are is flawed, for are you not already yourself? 

So then when you reach a crossroads (or in fact a standstill) in your life, uncertain of what the next logical progression should be, it sometimes takes a nudge to find the motivation to continue. Out of that feeling of loss in my own life, The Inspiration Series is born. The intention is to write a weekly piece on something that has inspired me. At those points where I am unsure of where my life may take me, I always manage to find solace in the successes and creativity of the people I come into contact with. The idea is to create a collection of stories to convince not only myself, but hopefully somebody reading this, that there is a world of possibilities out there to explore. 

The first of these comes from this weekend, and a visit I made to the open studios at St James Yard in Bermondsey (South London). The freedom that appears to come with being an artist attracts me to the profession. Not being limited by your trade or discipline, but instead transcending many alternate crafts and lines of work. Having an artist for a mother I am aware that this is a romanticised way of looking at the art world. The kind of struggles that exist within it are as present as in any field, if not more so. Still, St James Yard is an indication of the level of diversity that can exist in a creative space. Work extends from sculpture, printmaking and drawing, all the way to woodwork. When you first approach the accumulation of open doors you are met with the exceptionally hand crafted boats, built by Arthur De Mowbray. Instantly sparking curiosity, a subsequent trip around the corridors leads to a further array of treasures. I'm inspired then by the knowledge that you are never restricted in creation. Even if external factors interfere, nothing can prevent your imagination from flowing. Though one might inevitably experience lulls, upon taking a step out into the world it is possible to find hubs of individuality to encourage you to keep moving forward. 

For more information on the artists at St James Yard visit http://330studios.co.uk

The Labour of Love

I spend a lot of time deliberating over the ideal writing conditions. In my mind, I am sat in a little cafe in Paris, espresso by my side, scribbling notes by hand as an assortment of interesting people saunter past (this particular imagining features Dali emerging with his anteater by his side). The reality continues to fall short of this. Though I have scoured the many cafes of Brighton for a little corner of my own I always reach the same pattern of feeling I have outstayed my welcome. There are other factors too of course. Having the perfect chair (an old leather one that makes me appear tiny and fragile in comparison, ready to be swallowed by its aged canvas), having the ideal chai latte, good lighting, and enough privacy to remain anonymous in order to not be disturbed. Brighton offers an array of cafes, the most part of which I have quickly learnt to love. There is the Blackbird tea rooms, with its eclectic walls that reflect my grandma’s house; Marwood cafe and its decoration of model spaceships providing an always desirable extra terrestrial vibe; and the more recently discovered Brighton Museum & Art Gallery Cafe that sits on a balcony overlooking the museum, dwarfing the people below into miniatures to be captured on the fresh pages. The latter is a place that I may well feel at home but the truth of it remains.


In actuality, the places that I write are often randomly selected by a spurt of inspiration. Currently I am churning out words, slumped in my housemate’s bed while he listens to Bill Murray singing Christmas songs and tirelessly repeats the same phrase of ‘can we go and watch a film now please?’ Other favourites include the hour train ride from Brighton to London, crouched over my phone while frantically drumming my fingers on the screen in order to fill the yellow notes. Then there’s my front room back in London as my mum attempts to talk to me, only to be answered with sharp grunts that indicate I am otherwise occupied. It is from her that I recently discovered an article detailing the daily routines of writers. The thing that stuck with me was a quote from E.B. White — ‘A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.’ After spending the day talking about the difficulty of motivating oneself to write, a discussion that I seem to have time and time again, the answer seems painfully simple. Write. Write anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Don’t think about it - just do it. If I spent less time deliberating over the logistics of my work, and whether I even have the ability do it, and more time just getting on with it the plague of blank pages may finally cease to exist. 

"Starting tomorrow — if not today:

I will get up every morning no later than eight. (Can break this rule once a week.)

I will have lunch only with Roger [Straus]. (‘No, I don’t go out for lunch.’ Can break this rule once every two weeks.)

I will write in the Notebook every day. (Model: Lichtenberg’s Waste Books.)

I will tell people not to call in the morning, or not answer the phone.

I will try to confine my reading to the evening. (I read too much — as an escape from writing.)

I will answer letters once a week. (Friday? — I have to go to the hospital anyway.)"

-From Susan Sontag's diary, 1977

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

To claim a book has life altering capabilities is not uncommon, though whether this is a substantial claim to make always comes into question. I have always been impressionable. The art that I come into contact with has a tendency to imprint itself upon my person, at least for a fleeting period of time. This goes back as far as carrying around a piece of ribbon in my pocket so I could pretend to be Violet Baudelaire at the age of 10. Even so, I do not throw around the term life changing lightly, or for that matter frequently. When discussing Viv Albertine's autobiography this is a phrase that reemerged from each person I spoke to, as a significant commonality.

For those of you who don't know, Albertine is perhaps most noted as guitarist of the 70s all-female punk band The Slits. Her recent autobiography, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys. stitches together a painting of a life that stretches much further than this. Yes, it is emblazoned with a frank depiction of the UK punk scene - with personal accounts of Sid Vicious and Mick Jones, both of whom Albertine was acquainted with. Beyond this,  however, lie engaging reflections of a daughter, mother and wife. The book is underpinned with the passions of a musician, yet stands alone as an often painfully honest piece of writing. Viv takes leaps over a simple portrait of the music industry by considering the position of women and the choices they are faced with in a way that is continually relatable.

The whole of Clothes reads at great ease. Albertine's distinct voice, which is both humorous and grounded, resounds throughout. All in all the book is likeable. It is a pleasure at each turning and remains without pretence. For me, it was not so much life changing as life affirming. The doubts and falters that line a life as full as hers are still entirely recognisable. To have the same level of consciousness echoed in the words of a woman who has stood as such an inspiration, above all was reassuring. That those same uncertainties break through as clear as day, signposting each point alongside a voice that remains unapologetically defiant, is refreshing. What Albertine offers is a full and uninhibited portrayal of the self, providing a guiding light of reference for women both young and old. Almost as an accidental role model, it is through her honesty that Albertine reveals truths about being a woman that have perhaps been refined to the corners of our psyché. Her words resonate as the shared difficulties that permeate everyday life. It may not make claims for every woman's experiences, yet it does not attempt to hide its own and thus acts as an example of the kind of openness that can only be helpful for such a mystified gender. Here is not just a reflection of one woman's story, but a necessary invitation into at least one reality of womanhood. 

The Return of Neneh Cherry

I've always had a slight apprehension towards holding the famous as role models, finding it much more rewarding to seek inspiration in the every day acquaintances that offer a much greater connection to the personal. With Neneh Cherry, however, I have to make an exception. I have always greatly admired Neneh's fierce take on the world. Here is a woman that has decidedly marked out her own path, and after taking a hiatus of 18 years in order to raise her children, she is back with an album that speaks volumes of her long departed pop days.

First, it must be noted at how refreshing it is to see a successful female musician place the reasoning for her stint away from the musical world upon the fact that she didn't want to see her kids raised by other people. In a world that advocates the image of the woman who does it all, holding down a career while raising a family, there remains a lack of acknowledgement for the validation of choosing motherhood as a full time occupation. It seems strange to argue against how rewarding bringing new people into the world and watching them grow is, yet it seems to take a backseat to the depiction of the career woman striving to take on the business world. Though there are certainly arguments towards the cruciality of breaking the ever ominous glass ceiling, the core of equality is having the option to make those choices for yourself. Either way, at a time when artists such as Beyonce are placed in the limelight for being forward thinking when it comes to feminism, Neneh Cherry offers a true indication of what it is to pioneer women's liberation.

The arrival of Neneh's fourth solo album sees a transformation from her chart-topping youth. Produced by Four Tet's Keiran Hebden, the record takes a much more minimalist approach which allows Neneh's artistic flare to really take the forefront. A greater appreciation can be taken for the depth of her voice, which seems to have only strengthened in her time away from recording, and the sculpted lyrics that transcend topics such as the death of Cherry's mother and her menstrual cycle can be fully absorbed without an excess of embellishments. A far cry from the commercialisation of modern music, here are songs that actually have something to say for themselves. The artistic composition of the entire work is such that it resonates, leaving traces upon the person at mercy to its wonders. We can thank our lucky stars that Neneh is back, for here is a lady that will certainly transform the current state of modern music, remoulding it into something really worth caring about.

Wear Your Curls With Pride
When I was younger I used to loathe my curly hair. The unruly mess of spirals had more than a mind of its own and was met with nothing other than resentment. Years later I've learnt to love the big head of hair that I have been granted with. Perhaps after a bout with a shaved head an appreciation has been developed for having some locks to play with to pass the dull hours of the day. Then again, it becomes much easier to love my larger than life locks when I'm surrounded by such an array of curly inspiration. The bold, the beautiful and the all inspiring women that surround me. For the first time in my life I'm in good company with the hair of some of my closest ladies, perhaps providing the best indication of how radiant a bit of sisterly love can really be.

Inspiring Individuals
Continuing in the sentiment of International Women's Day last week, I ended up making a mental note of all of the women that provide me with inspiration. This has culminated in a collection of images that, be them aesthetically pleasing or portraits of strong and independent ladies, have acted as sources of creation over the past week. 

I remain lucky in the sense that I don't actually have to look very far for an indication of the kind of incredible women that frequent this earth. Initially, my mum acts as my main source of influence. Her creativity and flare as an individual has always been apparent to me but further than this there is an inherent strength and confidence in her persona which has always assured me that the best thing you can do is to be entirely yourself, regardless of what anyone else may think. In a hope of getting a better picture of what she would have been like when she was my age I asked her to relay stories of her youth to me. What was instigated was a portrait of a young artist set happily within herself, spending hours in the studio painting, or visiting the cinema alone and reading Zola and Dostoevsky. There is an automatic indication that even at the ripe age of nineteen there was an air of comfortability within her as a person that allowed her to exist in a way that was entirely her own, free from the interference of external judgement; a state that I certainly aspire to radiate through my own existence.

Though it also happens that one of the greatest joys comes in finding inspiration within the minds of your peers. A recognition that it can be those that exist alongside you on a daily basis who, although young, provide constant expressions of the intricacies and individualities of their creative minds. Watching my friend of the past eight years as she begins to transform into an adult, creating art that expels her magnificent potential as a person. 

Having the opportunity to live among ladies who have a sense of strength that is so clear within them from an external perspective, but a quality that they don't always recognise entirely within themselves. With the continual concern of not doing enough, they constantly strive to alter the world that they exist within in a way that constantly encourages me to better myself. 

What these people insight is a desire to keep pushing ahead, to continue to be the person I am despite the challenges that may manifest in my path. The fact that they manage to do just this, without so little as an acknowledgement of the kind of incredible journeys they are sculpting, makes it all the more exceptional to observe them as they do so. Ultimately what I'd like to do is express my gratitude to be able to exist amongst such wonderful beings, for it is through you that I am constantly reassured that the only way to move is forward.

Wonderful Women
The arrival of International Women's Day yesterday acted as proof of all of the wonderful things that women continue to do with their time. Femme Fierce took to the streets of London in an attempt to make it into the record books, by aiming to paint the biggest graffiti mural created by multiple artists. Adding a dose of colour to the walls of Leake Street Tunnel in Waterloo, with the common theme of 'It's a woman's world', the group provided a clear indication of how a seemingly mundane place can be transformed by a collective creation. 

(all images © Ben Walters: Source)

The efforts of these women to come together to alter a public space in a way that enhances its beauty got me thinking about why the day was important to me. The fact that through it we get a recognition of what we can achieve when we work together, when we stand by each other, is what really sticks in my mind. It's that desire to strive to create a world in which we exist in a considerate and conscious way, celebrating each other's achievements and encouraging each and every person in their endeavours. That realisation that we are much stronger when we stand side by side, and far be it from this being a woman's world or a man's world, allowing this to be a world where we coexist in a way that breeds compassion and life in order to create a space in which each individual is able to blossom under the assurance of unconditional love and support.

Transformation to a Tattooed World
If you've ever been curious as to what some of the world's most iconic figures would look like were they adorned with traditional tattoos, Seattle based artist Cheyenne Randall is about to kill the cat. Through manipulating famous images with sketching and digital enhancement, Randall has created a body of work that is synonymous with reality in its seamless alteration. 

Randall says of his work:

'all of these images were created as a form of curiosity. What some of the worlds most recognizable and admired icons would look like perhaps living in a parallel universe. This has never been about "What would celebrities look like with tattoos" although it is clearly centered around tattoos because I personally love Tradition tattooing.'

The artwork that has stemmed from Randall's self-proclaimed curiosity is aesthetically pleasing, and perhaps not just from the position of somebody who personally admires the art of tattooing. Although perhaps coming from a position of bias, what has been created for me echoes my own personal attraction towards the world of ink. Taking people of such familiarity and transforming them in a  way that, while not unrecognisable, project an entirely altered exterior which appears to dispel an individual scope. 

When observing tattoos, I often feel that they manage to express a hint into the inner workings of a being that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. Simultaneously, when viewing a body of work that revolves around a common theme it becomes possible to see how body art has the ability to be unifying at the same time as individualising. Even if not solely focused on the pretence of wondering what celebrities would look like with tattoos, it is possible that through Randall's work an openness can be created for a world that is often misconstrued as reckless. Here, we are provided with the ability to envision more accepting attitudes from which a true transformation is beginning to stem.

Once You Go Drag You Never Go Back 

 Bearing witness to a Drag performance for the first time is as if you have been opened to a whole new world that is more fabulous than anything you have previously known. Tuesday night saw us stray away from our usual haunt of the local bar and head to one of my personal favourite corners of Brighton - The Blind Tiger Club. This time however, the bar had been inhabited by something beyond the usual frequenters. A take over by the unrelentingly fierce likes of The House of Grand Parade had us subject to something we could previously not have dreamt of. 

Described as an alternative performance platform based in Brighton widening the horizons of drag, burlesque, magic and other notable cabaret/circus performance styles - we found ourselves amidst an array of feathers, glitter and down right gorgeous ladies with moves that left us not only envious but simply in awe. 

What this group offer is something far above a performance - the atmosphere they create is entirely infectious and I found that even the most reserved of friends became overcome with a level of sass that I would never come across out in the everyday world. Yet, after leaving this remained with us, leaving us with an air of confidence that seemed alien prior to entering through those doors. Half way through the show, the wonderful Rubyyy Jones asked a member of the audience what was up with him, and receiving the reply 'I'm just so happy!' seemed to epitomise the kind of cohesive experience that the night projects. You better be damn straight that once you go drag you never go back - and none of us would have it any other way.