Albion

On the 18th of November an exhibition was held by 8 photography students at my university. Six people exhibited their own work and two people curated work from other photographers. But this wasn't a normal exhibition. There was no box room with photographs on the walls, no, this exhibition was on a 1940's Routemaster London bus.

The exhibition was all about Britain, upon arriving you were given a authentic looking bus ticket with the exhibition information on that you could keep, designed by Jasmine Rajagopalan. The whole thing looked so professional the only thing that gave away the group were uni students were the UCA logos displayed on the tickets. In keeping with the British theme (if the big red bus wasn't enough) a marquee had been put up with a table underneath covered in a union jack, offering visitors a traditional cuppa tea and biscuits (or a cake, if that's what you're into). To make the experience all the more authentic, a member of the group was dressed as a bus conductor and held a tally counter which clicked away as the time passed and more and more people were curious as to what the red bus was all about.

You could see the photographs from the outside of the bus but boarding the bus was a complete game changer. With images of British fashion, urban landscapes, mini coopers, the military and 'disgracing Britain',  it was quickly realised that their goal had been completely achieved, it was impossible to not think about Britain. Cup of tea in hand, leaning out the back of the bus, it reminded me that we as a nation are something to be proud of.

Charlie Hummerstone-Pope and Jasmine Rajagopalan focused on fashion in Britain. Although their theme was the same, after holding separate shoots, their final products were at the contrasting ends of British fashion. Charlie focused on high fashion, showing how powerful and fierce the typical British fashion designer can make their pieces look despite not being over the top; "The exhibition is what we as individuals think represents Britain best" he added when I chatted with him at the event. Jasmine however, focused on the alternative side, her models moody glares, dark make up and doc Martens screamed indie kid with a hint of 70's punk. With the Union Jack proudly flying in both photos linking them together beautifully. "This is our interpretation of Britain as a generation, but we're all aware everybody's views are different".

Jay curated images from an organisation called mini madness, while Kara curated images from a photography duo "C & A photography" who focus on taking pictures of battle reenactments. Hollie and Samantha collectively took photos of the British army on a training day, reinforcing the proud to be British feels we were all holding as we toured the bus. Giulia's images displayed her own interpretation of urban landscapes as a exchange student from Italy, who was quite adamant her images wouldn't depict the capitals skyline as a typical tourist would. Quite alternatively, Jacob's interpretation of Britain was a little different, showing images of homeless people and drunks, although giving the exhibition viewers a little more to think about, it still didn't pull the focus of how the other images had painted Britain to be great. 

Plans to set a projector up and display all the images on the side of the bus were halted due to typical English weather, which also unfortunately put the exhibition to a premature end. It didn't matter though, the daylight hours were enough for the group to do themselves proud.   

(L-R Jacob Venn, Giulia Garetto, Samantha Liu, Hollie Lansley, Kara-Jayne Thorn, Jasmine Rajagopalan, Charlie Hummerstone-Pope (Jay Smith is out of shot))

Charlie's personal photography blog

Jasmine's flickr account

Kara-Jayne's photography Facebook pagex

Hollie's photography Facebook page

I want you on my team, so does everybody else

Tattoo post number three comes in the shape of 20 year old Sebastian Ennis. I know you want your standard tattoo post but honestly, let me digress here, it's worth it. 

As well as having a completely bad ass sleeve and studying full time for his BA Hons in Film Production as a sound engineer, Seb also produces his own music. Under the alias In as Beast (which is actually an anagram of Sebastian, clever init, my name's an anagram of shit) he has had recognition from BBC introducing after sending them his track Constellations. Seb told me his main influence when producing is house music, but the list of specific artists that influenced him to start making beats and to continue doing so is insane.
"In particular I love J Dilla, Koreless, a lot of the producers on Hessle Audio, people like Pearson Sound, Ben UFO... I've been listening to a lot of machinedrum, I think his sound is subconsciously changing mine slightly the more I do."
"A lot of my main influences are hip hop based so people like Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Madlib. I'm into a lot of the newer ones too like Julio Bashmore."
"I listen to a wide range, from indie to hip hop, but I'm still discovering my sound"


 

Sick, right?! I know what y'all really want. Here you go... 

How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I was 18 years old

Which was the first?
The outline of the day of the dead skull

Which one is your favourite?
Probably the buddha on my inner bicep, I'm quite a fan of dot work and the dot work is quite complex on it around the leaves. more the technique, rather than the actual design itself

Are there any meanings behind your tattoos?
Not particularly, I've always been interested in tribal but I didn't want the lazy approach of going in and saying I want that one, I sat down and told the artist what I wanted and after a process of back and fourth, we came up with tribal that has other elements in it. The script on my left forearm probably has the most meaning, it was a tribute to Gil Scott-Heron after he died. I've always been into writing so after he passed I was quite saddened by it so I thought I'd get some of his work on my arm, cus I know I'll always be a fan. Its from one of his songs/poems called Spirits

A lot of people are big haters of tribal tattoos, did that cross your mind when getting your sleeve?
Not at all, I have a lot of people in my family with tribal tattoos. I've always done art at school so from an early age (year 6/7) I had a big interest in Maori/Polynesian designs so I researched it a lot before. I also made sure I went to an artist specialised in that kind of style. I think people worry about tribal tattoos because they know if you get a lazy design a lot of people are going to have it, but mine was done to how I wanted it so it wasn't an issue.

How long did it take to design?
Probably about two and a half months for the artist to design it for me, and then I think it was all in all about four or five long day sessions over a period of two years

Where did you get your tattoos?
Barry Louvaine House of Living Art in Earlsfield

Are you planning any more tattoos?
I'm due to start another half sleeve that will continue with the tribal theme, there's more dot work from what I remember of the design as I asked my artist to include more of that. Then a mask that has headphones on it cus I'm really into sound, that'll goes across to my left pectoral, as a continuation of the sleeve. All of that will hopefully be done by March. After that I'll probably start on my back piece, I'm thinking a gypsy pin up girl in day of the dead style.


Did you worry about how having a sleeve may affect your future when it comes to careers?
Yes and no, my mum has tattoos so she's fine with ink but she always told me to never get my hands or my neck tattoo'd, so from an early age I always agreed with that. In terms of my sleeve, I don't plan on going into an academic background so it's not such an issue. For interviews and things a long sleeved shirt will completely cover it.

Have you ever had any negativity towards your tattoos?
Oh yeah a lot, when I was working in retail I'd have people tell me I was going to regret it when I'm older but I disagree. To me they're memories, it's my arm and I don't really care what I'm going to look like when I'm older.

Any advice for people thinking about getting a tattoo?
My main advice would be if you're not sure, don't do it. But if you're unsure of pain or having to have a meaning behind your tattoo, I think that's quite pretentious, the fact that you over think it takes the meaning away. You get it because you want it, don't worry what anybody else thinks, it's on your body.


SO MUCH YES. For any of you interested in listening to more of Seb's stuff as In as Beast, you'll find it here. If you're too lazy, have another




peace xo

Just a quickie

UGH I HAVE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU CUS ITS JUST TOO GOOD TO KEEP TO MYSELF.

You probably already know but for those who don't The Weeknd dropped his debut studio album this September and honestly it is the greatest thing ever. But this track is definitely a favourite. I can't stop listening to it. The video is hot too. Lady wood ensued.



xo