Volunteers Needed for Crystal Palace Festival

May 13, 2015 Matt Bannister

I was commissioned by the Crystal Palace Overground Festival charity to create a recruitment poster for them. The 2015 event in SE19 is fast approaching, and they needed an image to go on flyers, A4 and A3 posters that would attract people. Most of the effort for the festival is provided by volunteers, so there is always a need to get more people involved. Of course, I returned to some familiar characters but gave them a kick up the bottom in terms of colour. Now all I need to do is get my hands on a poster for my archives!

A Place in Dalston

February 9, 2015 Matt Bannister

A new private commission of a house of flats in Dalston, east London.

I visited them ages ago last year (on a very hot and sticky Saturday in the summertime) to chat, have a look and to take some photos, etc. Finally, as the winter weather was rolling past my window, I completed the work for them. The were pleased (and so was I!).

The Creatures That Keep on Giving

June 9, 2014 Matt Bannister

Dinosaur Wedding

I was approached last year by a couple - Liam and Nasreen - who asked if they could use my 'Crystal Palace Monsters' image on their wedding invitations. A few email exchanges later (and a fee, of course), the were distributed and their wedding was a great success, I understand. They are both fans of the Crystal Palace area, the dinos and my work. Win Win Win!

New cards and packshots

Some new cards arrived from the printers (available now from my website store or in person from Brave Girl Gifts if you live near Crystal Palace). I decided to take them out for a walk and take pictures of them. Residents of SE19 may be able to identify where I took them.

Brown and Green Café

I also popped into the Brown and Green Café with a mission. I decided to swap one of the prints featuring sphinxes with a nice new version of 'Change Here for Evolution'. I really like the image and I think it's much better than the one I removed. Also the 'story' behind the piece is set on one of the platforms nearby. If you are ever in the area, drop in for some lovely food. Here are some pictures to help you find where the new print is. He he.

Merchandise At Last!

July 5, 2013 Matt Bannister

'Subway Sphinxes' adapted for use as a t-shirt design.

Well, I've entered the world of merchandising. Sort of. Inspired by Jules from Crystal Palace Subway, and liaising with Liz at Smash Bang Wallop (a home wares and gift shop in Crystal Palace), I adapted a design for a t-shirt based on my 'Subway Sphinxes' image. So, you can now buy clothing in a proper shop bearing my design. How cool is that?

'Subway Sphinxes' adapted for use as a t-shirt design. [detail]

Jules is part of the growing group of people trying to raise the profile of the abandoned subway at the edge of Crystal Palace Park (see my earlier posts) and she had the idea to do something on a t-shirt. This venture is something good for me, Smash Bang Wallop and for raising the profile of the Subway (and the crumbling Sphinxes on the terrace). The small army of park lovers in CP get a small mention on the labels too (see picture): @cpsubway, @CPParkCommunity & @crystal_sphinx.

Mural ideas for Sutton Mencap

June 17, 2013 Matt Bannister

I was asked (via the Volunteer Centre Sutton) to generate some ideas for a mural being planned by Sutton Mencap. They had an area, known as the children's walkway, that they were planning to transform: from a drab concrete alleyway to something more colourful and natural looking. Two mural panels were planned, along with raised flower beds, new plants, top soil and a general effort to spruce up that part of their premises.

Sutton Mencap Outdoor Project - Overview

For the mural ideas, they wanted something simple and bold that would appeal to the passing children, but not something that would be incongruous to the new garden. I decided to use flowers often seen in your average South London garden or park, with a range across the seasons. For the mural painting itself, using the help of students from Carshalton College and the services of Village Ceramics, my designs were used to inspire the final structure. One image was used for both panels, with my second design being kept for further use elsewhere at the centre in the future.

Extra colours and garden critters were added by the team and when installed in the finished walkway, a drab grey fence was improved no end.

Thanks to Sutton Mencap for the use of their photographs for this post.