A slow August
Figs and a show announcement
I’m writing this a day after moving out of my studio, feeling a little deflated with incredibly sore muscles. It’s the end of a three year chapter, as well as the end of summer. I always feel like autumn is for new starts, the shedding of leaves a metaphor for the shedding of old, heavy baggage, letting go and embracing the new - that’s my plan for September, the rest of the year and for 2025.
August has been slow and quiet (unintentionally) everyone’s in Greece or Italy, from what I can see on my instagram feed. So rather than feeling frustrated with unanswered emails, I’m embracing the slowness of the month, surrendering to the pace. Relishing in finally being able to complete mundane tasks I’ve been putting off, organising, planning, but also reading (book rec below), spending time outside, cooking (recipe rec below), and popping back to see my parents as much as possible.
I’ve been feeling uninspired of late, and a little unmotivated. Probably due to no longer having a studio space and all the admin that comes with moving. I did manage to visit a few exhibitions last week and make a fig galette for my parents at the weekend, more on that below. I heard a phrase the other day, ‘August is like a Sunday’ and I completely agree, so here’s to surrendering.
Hollyhocks and swallows, Oxfordshire August 2024
SEE
‘Remembering Flowers’ by Isabella Ducrot at Sadie Coles HQ
‘Your Mind id Now an Ocean’ at Pilar Corrias
COOK
Fig galette -
Much to my delight the figs on a gargantuan tree that overhangs my parent’s garden have started ripening. The first thing we do every year when this finally happens is make a fig galette, my favourite summer dessert - just add a dollop of creme fraiche to serve - an important last component, that takes the dish to pure perfection.
for the pastry:
175g plain flour
2 tbsp ground almonds
1/2 tsp Maldon salt
1/2 tbsp caster sugar
120g cold butter, diced
approx 80ml ice cold water
for the filling:
8-10 figs, sliced
juice 1/2 lemon + zest
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp cornflour
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp demerara sugar
sprigs of lemon thyme
To make the pastry, mix the flour, ground almonds, salt and sugar in a large bowl, add the butter and rub into the flour with fingertips, until you have a coarse mixture. Make a well and add the cold water, a little at a time, using a knife to stir in, add just enough water so it begins to clump together. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly before putting in the fridge to chill, 30-60 mins. While the pastry chills, make the filling. Put the sliced figs in a bowl and add the honey, lemon juice and zest, cornflour and thyme. mix and set aside. Heat the oven to 200C/180fan. Roll out the chilled pastry into a circle on a lightly floured square of greaseproof paper, transfer to baking tray and spoon the filling into the centre (leaving a thick border). Fold the pastry up around the edges of the mixture and chill for another 20 mins. Brush edges with egg and sprinkle with the Demerara sugar. Bake for 30-35mins or until the pastry is golden and browning. Leave to cool, serve with a plop of creme fraiche. Eat outside in the last of the August sun.
A whiskery muzzle trying to sneak a fig
READ
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
An incredibly beautiful family drama, following the lives of four sisters from Chicago, a homage to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women - heartbreaking but also heartwarming. I loved it, and not just because I’m one of four sisters!
LISTEN
Simple Things by Ziggy Alberts - I’ve recently come across the music of Ziggy Alberts and fell in love with this song in particular, it makes me feel like I’m bobbing in the ocean.
STUDIO
Show announcement!…
‘Wanderings’ a duo show by Ellen Mae Williams and Georgie McEwan, opening 12th- 22nd September at Open Gallery, 205 Deptford High Street, SE8 3NT.
A dialogue between Ellen and Georgie, two emerging artists working between naturally dyed textile works and abstract dreamscape paintings. It will celebrate the beauty in the everyday, focusing on the micro and macro elements that make up a scene - be it urban or rural, real or imaginary. The works have all been formed from their wanders; Ellen’s paintings were produced on a residency in South West France, using earth pigments foraged on walks in the landscape. While Georgie paints unique collations of shapes, forms and textures found on her wanderings in the city.
The exhibition will bring together their differing processes as they navigate their backgrounds in textile and architectural design, showcasing a contrasting collection of stretched canvas and unstretched linen paintings, hanging and scattered throughout the space. Inviting the viewer into an expressive world of wild, natural and fantastical scenes.
The private view will be from 6-9pm on the 12th September, and is open Thursday – Saturday 10am - 6pm and Sunday 11am – 4pm.
We hope to see you there!
