potassium free art fair

As part of our think global act local philosophy, Potassium will be exhibiting a selection of works by Isabelle Bricknall and Gary Porter from 8th to 14th October as part of the Free Art Fair on Seymour Place. To close the exhibition, Aidan Andrew Dun will perform from his epic poem “Vale Royal”

The Free Art Fair is an art fair where work is given away at the end. People will have the chance to own a piece of art by artists from the Saatchi Collection or who have exhibited at the Tate. For once instead of art going to the highest bidder or those who can afford it, someone who really loves an artwork will be able to have it for free.

"I thought we should do something different from what everyone else is doing at this time of year and non-commercial, and something that excites people and values art not selling. This gives anyone the chance to own a serious piece of art." (Jasper Joffe, founder The Free Art Fair)

ISABELLE BRICKNALL is an artist, designer and adventurer in the arts. With an MA in Fashion & Textiles she had a prolific career in Haute Couture. Bringing together performance, costume, photography, mixed media and digital, she fearlessly dives into the visionary deep. Living a luridly colourful life on her voyage to creating the piece being shown. “The skulduggery, ducking and diving into the deep waters of London’s nightlife, meeting the divine creatures who inspired me to work this way. I thank every one of them; the good, the bad and the ugly! Or as an art angel Andy Warhol puts it…its more fun to be with people who are doing things…”

GARY PORTER was born in Zambia of Northern Irish, Protestant parents and grew up in South Africa in the last decades of apartheid. He studied art at Ruth Prowse in Cape Town before settling in London, 21 yrs ago. He found creative success through, what he refers to, as “disposable art for the street” – window displays; founding Elemental Design, the London based, visual communications & retail design company. His work is vividly coloured with conflict, duality, repression, self-reproach, and ultimately, healing. Gary is exhibiting “Lucifer’s Limousine”, a self -portrait.

AIDAN ANDREW DUN grew up in the West Indies, returning to London as a teenager before travelling around the world for more than a decade. His first epic poem Vale Royal, (Goldmark, 1995) was launched at the Royal Albert Hall, and led to him being dubbed as the 'voice of King's Cross'


Isabelle and Gary will be in attendance at the opening on Monday 8th October 2007 from 18:00 to 20:00. The closing event will feature Aidan Andrew Dun reading from his epic “Vale Royal” at 16:00 followed by the art give away at 18:00.

For full details on the Free Art Fair see http://www.freeartfair.com/
For further information on Isabelle, Gary, Aidan or Potassium, please e-mail karim@potassiumstore.co.uk

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new.est...

we like bringing the new to you and we're quite excited about New.Est a collaboration by London based New Zealander Leonhard Pfeifer and Woodman of Estonia. Hence the name "New.Est"

this new range of furniture in either urban walnut or comfortable oak is designed with functionality and space saving in mind. not forgetting that the woods are from sustainable sources and the solvents used to bind the mdf carcasses have a reduced toxicity level, not quie toxin free, but very close. we're also working to eliminate the toxins completely using a 100% eco-friendly bonding.

the mini-bar in particular has been a favourite amongst our clients but now that a larger selection of show-room models in on display, we're sure the other pieces in the range will prove just as popular.

leonhard will be appreaing at an instore event on 7/11/07 at the store. to receive your invite e-mail us to be included on our "dosage instructions" newsletter.

fashion, furniture and a whole lotta art...

Trust me there are times I don't like September. It all starts with a round of trade shows that culminate in a mountain of paperwork that ensures that all the new lovely things for spring summer are booked.



Next comes fashion week where the press fall over themselves to photograph, capture and inform us all as to what we will look like next year - they do a great job and they help reinforce some of the decisions we've already made.


At the same time the London Design Festival kicks in and I spend at least 1/2 an hour feeling like I just don't know where to start after flicking through the guide, there's just so much to see; 100% Design, Tent, Designer's Block and a multitude of happenings around this great city.



And then just when you thought you could afford a day off the art-pack start getting ready for the annual art fest; frieze.



Last year apparantly art sales at Frieze totalled £23M. That's M for million by the way. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon in the park with George and friends. Dealers and Art Dealers as well as many an art enthusiast travel to London to converge for one of the most important dates in the art world calender.



What's struck a cord with is though is a new show http://www.freeartfair.com/ not just because it gives away the art free (yes you read correctly) at the end of the week long show, but that it happens to be happening in our manor.



From 8-14 October 2007 5, 8 and 21 Seymour Place will exhibit art by artists who have previously shown at the Saatchi and Tate galleries. On the Sunday prepare to queue from 6pm and request the piece of art you like the most. More details are on the Free Art Fair website.



At Potassium we like a bit of culture too. This week our window change is an homage to Denis Bowen. Probably not the most recognisable name in art but Denis was responsible for launching the New Vision gallery which happened to be next door to us at 4 Seymour Place. Sadly Denis died last year but we hope that our window makes sure that his vision continues during this key time. For more information on Bowen and the New Vision Gallery see www.denisbowen.com


Our next window will coincide with the launch of the Free Art Fair on Seymour Place and will feature work by Isabelle Bricknall and Gary Porter.

We'll be hosting an event on Monday 8 October 2007 from 18:00 to 20:00 with the artists at the store and invite you to visit us and the other spaces on Seymour Place showing art.

new store new site...

So the seasons are changing and this time London seems to be getting warmer rather then cooler. Sure there may be a global warming issue here but I have to say that this is probably the first full week I've been able to wear my shorts and not freeze...

At Potassium, we've given our store and our website a bit of a makeover going back to our roots of simple modern ethical design. Matt and Nat bags are literally flying off the shelves as is our new men's wear line Rand jeans; little brother of Bitte Kai Rand, this ethically produced line combines the style of the Danes with exceptional detailing and beautiful fabrics. This is a line for the confident discerning man so if you're still trapped by fire or like to imitate a large black puma don't even bother.

Our furniture has come again to the foreground and we're looking forward to layering on the New.Est collection by Leonhard Pheifer which introduces urban London scale lifestyle in to the mix. (If you want a sneak preview go to the furniture section on our website and have a snoop around) Coupled with the sleeker look in store which some (mainly me) would say reminds us of when the store opened in December 2005, means that for the first time in a while you can actually see all the product. Of course I had help from Simon and Izzy, but trust me our work is not done and whilst the store looks phenomenal now (and that's what some of your have said) we're pushing the boat out and want to shock and surprise throughout the season. How would I best describe it? It's a work of art constantly evolving.

We made friends recently with some rather nice chaps in Worcester. Despite having been affected by the summer flooding in England, Chris, John and Simon managed to deal with getting our website up and running in a couple of days. Don't worry though we were gentle and I hear that Chris still had time for the llama's, John got to strum his guitar at a festival or two and Simon had a star date...

The result of the Potassium/Phase 8 collaboration is pretty impressive from what we've heard, and the website has been nominated for an award. Tell us what you think. Take a look at http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk/ and let us know.