Art and the importance of making things
Art isn't about selling work or winning competitions. It's about taking part. But thanks Hilton. Visitors to Ketchum in London are greeted by an art exhibition in reception.
In-house designer Sue Smallwood curates a show by a different artist every four to six weeks.
During the summer the space is turned over to the London team. Colleagues in London are invited to submit their work for a summer exhibition.
It's now in its sixth year. Last night was the awards' evening hosted by Sue and European boss David Gallagher.
Entries are submitted anonymously and voted on by colleagues in the UK and internationally, and also by PRWeek and our client sponsor Hilton.
First
Helen Wright, well-deserved for her unique and meticulously created entry Fish Like A Drink.
Second
Rory Goldsmith and James Hardy for The Great Scottish Summer.
Third
Rich Murphy for his stunning print Caphillis.
Global award
Lorelei Bere for her beautifully executed oil painting Tea Lady.
Hilton award
Aimelyne Romeu and Alina Balaci from Hilton selected my digital print Media of the Streets: Made in Shoreditch. It's a 70 x 100cm digital print of 150 Instagram images of graffiti or so-called street media mostly local to the Ketchum office.
PRWeek award
Anna Reynolds and John Harrington from PRWeek voted as their favourite the Global award winner Tea Lady by Lorelei Bere.
An auction of selected artworks from the show together with some other desirable lots, hosted by Ketchum's Alexander Watson and Sion Williams-Eliyesil, raised more than £1,800 for Ketchum London’s 2015 partners: SPEAR at Bethnal Green.
Art and the importance of making things
Making stuff with your hands is important.
It doesn't matter much what you make, what's important is the experience.
Our generation unlike any other before views its work through a computer screen.
We're disconnected from the products and services that we create. The art, craft and maker movements are an attempt to redress the balance.
Making stuff reconnects us with the art, craft and skills of previous generations. It provides a means of personal expression. It's invigorating and enables us to switch off.
It can also be a cultural and social celebration. Last night for a moment in time artists, makers, staff and guests at Ketchum connected in a celebration of each other's work.
We learn the importance of art and craft at school but our enthusiasm gets squashed in later life because somehow our work never meets our personal expectation.
It's worth fighting. Next time you've had a tough day shut down you computer, put down your mobile phone and go and make something.
Let me know how you get on.
