People outside the UK might not know who Bagpuss is. Brits of a certain age have very fond memories of this children’s television series from way back in the 1970s. Bagpuss lived in a shop window which was full of curios and strange objects. Local artist Melanie Ezra and I have taken over an old shop in Swansea’s High Street, courtesy of Coastal Housing Group, and we’ll be working from the premises throughout September. It’s earmarked for demolition so it’s pretty ropey and we’re using it as a sort of pop-up studio for ourselves and some other artists, but we’re also using the window as a constantly changing display of our art, work-in-progress, materials, tools and all sorts of curious objects that inspire and interest us.
It’s an arty Bagpuss window…….
- First task, clean up
- Work in progress from me
- Honest labelling by Melanie Ezra
- We found this in the old shop
- R&Z Fashions becomes R&Ez Art
- Mel Ezra paying homage to Magritte
- “This is not a shop”, homage to Magritte
- Sculptor David Meredith brought his Bagpuss toothbrush jug for the window
- An etching press arrives from Swansea Print Workshop, with sculptor David Meredith and filmaker Melvyn Williams.
- A tabletop press from Swansea Print Workshop
This is what we did today. Mel did a sterling job cleaning up (I was otherwise occupied) and then we dressed the window for the first time. Sculptor David Meredith and Filmaker Melvyn Williams helped to manoeuvre two etching presses into position, lent by Swansea Print Workshop (thank you Jackie Ford).
I’ll be doing regular updates as the window changes throughout the month.
Love, love, love the arty Bagpuss window!
Thank you 😀