Dead Smart

Rest a Little in the Lap of Life (2005)

Still Life After Death (2006)

Polly Morgan is a taxidermist turned artist. She is known as 'Britains Hottest Bird Stuffer' and can count Kate Moss, Banksy and Stella McCartney as fans. So who exactly is she?

It was Morgans love of animals which intitally attracted her to taxidermy. Frustrated with the taxidermy artworks available on e-bay she took matters into her own hands and learnt how to 'mount' (ie stuff) an animal- a gruesome task to most but to Morgan it's as arbitrary as washing the dishes.

Eventually, she began taking photos of her subjects. Unlike typical taxidermy photographs, Morgan removes her subject from it's natural habitat so as to impress a new perspective on the viewer. Curiously, Morgan makes no attempt to bring her animals to life. They lay dead, completely still or propped up against something. A little macarbre yes but the result is a collection of strikingly beautiful photographs.

See her work at online.

Rob Ryan

You may not be familiar with the name Rob Ryan but you may be familiar with his artwork. Ryan's distinctive papercutting and screen printing images have graced the covers of books, CDs, magazines and now his own fairy tale book, This Is For You. Based in London, Ryan is fast becoming one of the hottest artists in the UK and is at forefront of the pop art scene in London.

Ryan's charming papercuts are delicate works of art cut from the smallest scapels on the finest paper. Images of flowers and fountains, birds and leaves, lovers and hearts and couples kissing are prominent motifs as is a theme of solitude and childish innocence. Text features heavily in the majority of his works and adds an emotional aspect to this images. For example, a recent papercut features the words 'Every Beat of My Heart' cut into the chain of a heart-shaped necklace with singing blackbirds encased. His wifes' intials are at the top of the necklace.

This Is For You, Ryan's first book, is the tale of a lonesome man who has lost his place in the world, and who sets out on a magical papercut journey, through jewel-coloured landscapes, to rediscover his sense of belonging. It is a folkstory for adults and children alike and it is utterly endearing.

Ryan's work is available to purchase in his shop, Ryanstown, on Columbia Road, London or from his website: http://www.misterrob.co.uk/.

Take Me With You- The ultimate London Souvenir

I am always on the lookout for the ultimate London souvenir; a gift that so perfectly captures the essence of London. Here are a few of my favourites:




Got Haute Couture?

British fashion designer Giles Deacon recently collaborated with luxury stationer Smythson to produce a range of stunning correspondence cards. Each card is stamped with an original ink sketch by Deacon on Smythson White Matt cards and comes with a tissue-lined envelope. This strictly limited edition range is the only form of haute couture available to those us whose last name isn't Hilton so check it out.

The Way Home- Marc Fernand Severin, 1938.



The Picture Complete...-Denys Nicholls, 1971.

When You're Late In London...-Bruce Angrave, 1943.

When Wet Travel Underground It's Drier- Cecil Dillon McGurk 1922.

London Underground Posters.

A London Underground poster is a totally unique souvenir. Every visitor to London has no doubt experienced the pleasure and pain of the tube- the heat, the crowds, the animals, the tramps, and the awesome break neck speed of the tube. Only in New York City is there an underground network as fast and as efficient as London's underground network. Everyone rides the tube and everyone experiences life underground- it's an essential and unforgettable part of life in London, so why not take a peice of it home with you? I have recently discovered the London Transport Museum's website and have spent ages going through their poster database and have picked out a few favourites already. Find your own favourites here: www.ltmuseum.co.uk.

Rob Ryan- This Is For You



This Is For You is the first book from London artist Rob Ryan. Ryan's delicate papercuts adorn each page and form an enchanting tale for adults and children.

Union Jack Smeg fridge!
Ok, so this one is permanently on my 'I Wish List' but isn't it just amazing?