Tag: Brushfield Street

Designer Desire: Biggs and Collings

Collage of Biggs and Collings mosaic works | H is for Home

When we recently spent an afternoon wandering around Spitalfields, we stopped to photograph an amazing public art wall mosaic on Brushfield Street.

After a little online research, we discovered that it was the work of husband & wife duo, Biggs and Collings.

Emma Biggs explains of the wall mosaic:

The design is based on Biggs & Collings paintings. The site is the former Fruit and Wool Exchange. The whites and light greys and browns relate to the colours of wool, and the strong hues pick up the colours of fruit. The rather ‘off’ tones come from looking at silks woven in the area in the 18th century. The weavers were largely Huguenots, refugees from religious repression.

Once we learned it was them, we looked into the other works that they’d done. They produce paintings and textiles, but its their mosaics that we find most stunning. The ones we’ve featured above are in private, public and commercial settings and located around the world.

Portrait of Biggs and Collingscredit

Additional image credits:

Emma Biggs | Mosaic Art Now | Sophie Munns

An afternoon in Spitalfields

Corner of Fournier Street and Brick Lane, London E1 with signage in English and Bengali | H is for Home

We highlighted our visit to Dennis Severs’ House in London in a recent post. Having spent a wonderful hour there, we wandered around the historical Spitalfields and Shoreditch districts for the rest of the afternoon.

Christ Church, Spitalfields designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor | H is for Home

There was no danger of getting lost with the stunning Christ Church to help you keep your bearings. It often loomed into view as we criss-crossed the area.

W & A Jones shopfront in Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

It didn’t really matter if we got lost anyway. We weren’t in any rush and there was so much to see; every street had hidden gems.

Front of 5a Fournier Street, Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

In particular, it was the architectural details that were so interesting to us.

Eleven and a half Fournier Street, Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

The brick & stonework, the paving, the door frames & windows, the shutters, the fanlights, the door knobs & bells, knockers and letter boxes; much of it original Georgian.

Brass knocker in the form of a ladies hand on a door in Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

There’s a mixture of old industrial buildings, pubs, shops and domestic dwellings. It really is fascinating if you just take the time to stroll and soak it all in.

Old, three-storey stone warehouse building front | H is for Home

Another thing that really caught our eye were the ‘ghost signs’, the remnants of former factory and shop premises advertising signs with business names and products for sale.

Donovan Bros. handpainted shopfront at 46 Crispin Street, Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

Some have never really been hidden away, some rediscovered many years after being painted over, boxed in or covered with later signage.

A. Gold French Milliner at 42 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

They’re so atmospheric. That’s something that can be said of the area in general – especially once you get into some of the quieter side streets. There are famously busy areas like Brick Lane – full of shops, restaurants and bars. However, these quiet corners have a special attraction all of their own.

Verde & Co shopfront at 40 Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London | H is for Home

If you’re a fan of period architecture and detailing, particularly the 18th and 19th century, then set aside a few hours if you’re in this part of London… and take a wander.