KAIROS HADITHJeffry Gale is a curious fellow that I knew. Many years ago, I used to go painting with him every Sunday morning. He is a water colour painter and his works are displayed on the walls of vegetarian restaurants in Totnes as well as the on the walls of palaces of Himalayan Maharajas. He has […]
John Taylor Gatto has been an inspiring figure for me in the world of education. I have no idea how I first stumbled across John Taylor Gatto’s work.Was it on YouTube? Was it a quote somewhere that prompted me to find out more about him? I have no idea, but I’m fairly sure that one […]
Clive is an artist I know personally and has recently become an inspiration to me – not simply through his artwork but his encouragement. He was the first person to tell me that creativity requires containment. Creative work requires containment before it is shared with others. And even then, he encouraged me not to worry […]
I wondered around the Museum Für Islamische Kunst (Museum of Islamic design) in Berlin and I was immediately in awe of this world of detail. In the same way that there is an awe in the vastness of space, I felt an awe in the opposite: a universe of small, intricate detail. Much of this […]
Henry Moore’s sculpture garden. Gentle beings, beings bigger than I, Huge beings with familiar curves Relaxing, in amongst the trees. Placed to reflect and reminisce of feelings, Times, when we were just little things, things amongst many things – not yet individuals. The joy of a hug. The need for warmth, protection, love. A need to be enveloped […]
Ceramic pots placed on a long table. Thirty years of work. Each pot a large handful of earth spun and shaped and mixed with other handfuls of earth to form a pot, hardened in the heat of fire. Delicate pots spaced carefully, each delicately balancing, as I walk around to find some nice angles to enjoy […]
The Last Frontier – A Sufi Journey by Reshad Feild If thou wilt be observant and vigilant, thou wilt see at every moment the response to thy action. Be observant if thou wouldst have a pure heart, for something is born to thee in consequence of every action. – Mevlana Jelalu’ddin Rumi Like a lot […]
I remember he used to say Ali in the same way and with the same conviction as Mohammed Ali did, with an emphasis on the the Li. Like a chant. Rauf Ali. I met Rauf out in India. The first time I knew him was when I was very small. My father used to be […]
Is it possible to be a champion of the underground / alternative scene and to continue to be culturally relevant, prolific, popular (yet subversive), and, for want of a better word, cool, all at the same time? I believe David Byrne answers all those questions with a resounding Yes. Much has been written about David […]
Well, for quite a while I have been meaning to write a piece about Garry Shandling, my favourite comedian and, of course, an inspiration to me. I suppose his early death has (regrettably) prompted me to write this now. I wish I had written this earlier and, deep down, I had hoped that someone of […]