When art and architecture collide - today's 500 words are brought to you in association with Nick Coupland and Thomas Cecil Howitt.
Nick is a contemporary artist working in pen & ink and specialises in post modern architecture; often concrete; often brutal. I've been a fan of his work for a long time and, a couple of Christmases ago I gifted my daughter-in-law (hugely into architecture) a signed copy of his beautiful book - Modernist Lines, Brutalist Shapes - which had a number of his drawings of English (many in Hull and Manchester), European, Asian and American buildings & structures; from Preston Bus Station to the Nakogin Capsule Tower in Tokyo.
Nick's work is nothing short of amazing. His attention to detail is forensic. How he can replicate the smallest of windows, the most ornate corbel, in such microscopic detail is amazing. And also a little bit scary; he must go to the same optician as Superman. He recently posted on Twitter that for the modest sum of £20 (including postage) he would draw any building of your choice on a 6'' x 6'' card, so you could own a true Nick Coupland original. I didn't need to think twice: for the last couple of years I have photographed the former Home Brewery Building in Daybrook, Nottingham countless times*. From every angle. In all weathers. Day. And night. Like my bloody tree, it's become an obsession.
So I asked Nick if he could work his magic on this beautiful building dating back to 1938 and designed by acclaimed local architect Thomas Cecil Howitt. (An architectural practice bearing his name still operates in the city to this day.) He could and he did. It landed on the doormat yesterday. To say I'm chuffed would be an understatement. I absolutely love it.
Please do check out both the artist from Hull and the architect from Nottingham (links at the top of the page). Who knows, you might want to ask Nick to draw a building designed by a renowned architect from your area. Or your house. Or even your local pub. Speaking of which:
* I won't lie to you. There's a good reason I photograph this building more than any other: it's directly opposite my favourite pub - The Abdication - which I'm sure I've mentioned once or twice round here before. Cheers!
That is marvellous. The minute details in the drawing are exquisite - and it complements your photos beautifully and perfectly - what a lovely item to have. I'll check out the links, and I'm wondering if there are any images of/references to good ol' (new) Harlow in there - think we may have mentioned it in conversation in Edinburgh...? - home to a fair amount of Brutalist architecture, (which of course I never appreciated at all when I lived there - especially from a flat-roofed top floor flat which leaked in every room when it rained...!)
ReplyDeletePoor old Harlow; always gets a bad rap. Maybe Nick can find some beauty in there somewhere.
DeleteHow terrific is that? A stunning building and a simply extraordinary drawing. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes - it is all those things: terrific, stunning, extraordinary and wonderful.
DeleteWhat a fantastic thing to offer - the drawing looks fantastic. So much detail.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how no two pictures of the building will ever be the same because of the seasons, cloud cover etc. you do like taking your pictures.
Alyson
It is.
DeleteThat's right.
I do*
* As I've mentioned round these parts on more than one occasion, photography really did keep me sane during LD - and continues to do so.
What I'd like to do, Alyson, beginning in the new year (I *will* be The January Man!), is to post one picture on the first of every month of something/anything I see on that day that piques my interest. I'd love to throw it open but I realise it might not be everyone's thing.
Whether it appears here or just on our WhatsApp group, I haven't decided. Would you be up for it?
Ooh, I love the idea of that, John. It would be great if others would be up for it - I would, as it would be very motivating to do (especially during long periods of what would otherwise be blog neglect!) and so interesting/inspiring to see what appears elsewhere. I think that the blogs would be a good place for it as it's open for a wider group of people to join in if they want to, including non-bloggers to view.
DeleteWow, what a lovely concept and Nick's artwork is incredible. Like the building itself, an image that I can imagine you can return to time and time again, seeing something new on each viewing.
DeleteThe "first of the month" image is a great idea. Many of my post images are random snaps, often of otherwise mundane snippets of the environment that I live and work in. I'm not even close to the wonderful images that accompany your and other fellow bloggers, but I share a fascination for finding interest and beauty in the things we often take for granted or largely ignore in day-to-day existence.
Sorry just spotted your reply. Yes I'd be up for it. I did a project in 2009/10 when I took a picture of something interesting in the natural world for 365 days. Ended up with a fantastic body of work telling the story of our seasons and of our local 'hood'.
DeleteThat sounds brilliant, Alyson! You must share it (if you haven't already).
DeleteRight, I'll put the call out sometime in December. 2023 defined by 12 photographs!
C & K - Sorry, I've only just clocked your replies. Right, we're on! Starting on 1st January we'll kickstart 20123 with some unique images we've all captured that day...
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