The Seeds Of Love An exhibition by David Owen
It was the first time I'd ever been to Cecil Sharp House. It's the headquarters of the English Folk Dance And Song Society(EFDSS), a rabbit warren like building near Regents Park.
There are a number of performance and rehearsal spaces and it's library with it's collections of songs has a legendary status in folk circles, but I'm not hear to read in the library. I'm not even here for the music, though I know Jim Moray is going to be performing. I'm here for an exhibition of folk related art from David Owen.
Over the years folk and to an extent the EFDSS has taken a lot of stick for it's fusty self importance, the debates over what is and isn't folk. The clichés of fingers in ears and Arun Jumpers.
David Owen has produced a series of images that hit these stereotypes head on. The EFDSS have given over wall space to an exhibition of the work, some of which has previously been seen on the perimeter fence at Cambridge Folk Festival, and who knows it might even help shake some of the cobwebs off their image.
What I initially forgot on arrival was this was the launch of an art exhibition, not a folk event as such and that consequently would have a different audience to what I've come to be used to at gigs.
The exhibition which is on until the 21st of December isn't actually around the performance space, but is more focussed around the stairwell. Initially I thought this was a shame but as I got used to the building, I realised that the stairs form the hub of the location and it means the pictures will be seen.
For the most part the pictures have a certain amount of humour, but as with the best humour, it's there to raise a point not just a smile. It creates debate and argument, even amongst families. The picture of Ewan MacColl for example sparked different feelings in his sons. One thought it was hilarious and bought a copy, the other thought it was disrespectful.
Some of the images feature icons from other genres, particularly punk, whilst others put folk stars into unfamiliar settings. Most are provocative, but in some cases rely on the observer to be aware of the underlying issue.
Some of the images have a wider brief, looking at some of societies ills, such as racism and how they impact on the folk world. These are arguably the most thought provoking.
If there is an underlying theme from the "Seeds Of Love" collection, it's that David Owen has looked at the internal conflict in folk, the eternal battle between it's traditionalist and it's futurists and said 'lighten up'.
There are also examples of his commercial work, such as the collection of book covers that are used to illustrate the song titles in the artwork for Jim Moray's new album, "Low Culture". In fact Jim was there to busk the gig.
On a stage consisting of a lump of Formica on a couple of brick, with mic and guitar going through a single amp, Jim performed a number of songs from aforementioned "Low Culture", in front of a backdrop of David Owen sleeve covers.
Ironically it was two covers that really brought Jim's set alive in front of a very contrasting audience. As I said earlier, the event was an exhibition launch, not a gig, so I'm not going to say much about my thoughts on Cecil Sharp House, based on this visit, but the result was a mixed audience, some of whom didn't seem to realise how rare it is to see Jim Moray play in circumstances like these.
That said, his cover of Bella Hardy's "3 Black Feathers" pretty much brought the room to hearing a pin drop levels. Boyed by the confidence of that success Jim rapidly taught the room the chorus of "All You Pretty Girls" for a singing session. The response was decidedly mixed with the testosteroned singers making for more effort than the oestrogen positive..
It was a good night. David Owen is an artist with an imagination and flair. If you're near Cecil Sharp House, pop in and have a look and, who knows, place an order.
If this is an attempt for EFDSS to reach out to the wider folk community, it's a good start, long may it continue.
For more details on David Owen and his work, please check out his website: http://www.theinkcorporation.co.uk