Eye candy

We’ve recently had the pleasure of having Joe Madeira speak to us at Fig Lunch.

Joe’s career has included some of the great names of the design world. Central St Martins, Royal College of Art, Tomato, Interbrand, and SAS. But he then wandered off the more expected creative path to explore his enthusiasm in art, and set up shop as a gallery curator.

Instead of a the more typical urban creative spaces of east London he chose a humble venue for his new venture. An old sweet shop. Tucked away in the residential streets of Southfields where (in his words) he’s ‘not supposed to be’.

The Old Sweet Shop is a beautifully appropriate setting. A small but lively shop that welcome’s you in, with lots of colourful prints to catch your eye.

There’s a great sense of community about Joe’s story. The company thrives on collaboration. Joe talks about his fellow artists with joy. Occasionally diverting off the story of a print to give you a short anecdote about the artist and a glimpse into their personality. It adds a sense of character to the works that otherwise you would not have had.

Take a look for yourself.

www.theoldsweetshop.org

Matt Partis