One undoubted hero of lockdown is Ministry of Defence infrastructure director Sherin Aminossehe. @ArchiDame, as Twitter knows the supremely gifted Aminossehe, has been posting fabulously detailed artworks over the past 18 months, taking requests and raising money for the armed forces charity SSAFA.Now her first 100 – count ’em – works are collected in a book, raising even more money for the worthy cause.
Aminossehe (interviewed below) asked many of those who made requests to write a few words alongside their images, including EG’s own Samantha McClary and Damian Wild. U+I is also supporting the endeavour and you should too, by picking up a copy at: www.ssafastore.org.uk/products/the-road-untravelled-the-art-of-sherin-aminossehe. Diary can think of no better Christmas present for friends, family and colleagues.
Last year you told us that, pre-Covid, you mainly used to sketch on date nights – did you ever imagine your artwork would be collected in a book?
Not at all! It was really a form of relaxation for me and just a bit of fun. Of course, whenever I would go into a bookshop and see (and buy!) books by various urban sketchers I admired, I allowed myself a little daydream. But I honestly would have never thought that it would happen, and definitely never envisaged it would take a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to make it a reality.
What was the most surprising request?
I have been surprised by the sheer number of aeroplanes, jets, ships and carriers I have drawn, although being part of the Ministry of Defence I should have expected it. The most difficult was the rigging on HMS Victory – I kept on thinking someone in the Navy would say I got it wrong!
Which is your favourite piece in the book?
I find it hard to choose between them as each one has a story – each is as special as another. Some really chimed with me, such as the Royal Court Theatre, which defiantly displayed its “back soon” sign, and the Victoria and Albert Museum because it’s my son’s favourite museum. There are also places I got to know about through the drawings, or reminded me of my own travels – the amazing Piece Hall in Halifax, East Grinstead, Hong Kong waterfront and, of course, my favourite holiday destination, Sorrento. It’s like choosing between your children.
Are you inspired to start visiting some of these locations when travel becomes more straightforward?
Absolutely. I have a long list that is getting longer. I am hoping the Piece Hall will be one of the early ones, and I will be taking my sketchbook!
A tale not for the faint of heart
One wonders if Julius Baer is wise to leave the safety of the City for its new digs in Clerkenwell so close to All Hallows’ Eve. Not because of the building itself – the new office at Seaforth’s 8 Bleeding Heart Yard looks lovely. But more because of… the legend.There are many versions of how the yard came by its grisly name, but, since you ask Diary for a Halloween tale of terror, this is how it was relayed to us by Robbie Gibson, once of this parish…
The year is 1626. In the leafy suburbs to the north of Holborn a party is taking place. The guests are dressed in their finery and the belle of the ball is young Alice Hatton, beautiful heiress both of her family’s fortunes… and of their sins. She is courted by many suitors, but prefers to dance alone. Until, that is, one dashing, dark figure seizes her attention. Handsome and dangerous, with a glint in his eye like flaming ice, he takes hold of her in a passionate embrace and they dance like souls possessed. Across the floor they tear, a grand pirouette, dazzling and terrifying the gentry in equal measure until, with a bound, they burst through the door and out into the yard. By the time her father gathers his wits, young Lady Hatton and her devilish suitor are nowhere to be seen. To quote the poet Thomas Ingoldsby:
“Of poor Lady Hatton, it’s needless to say,
No traces have ever been found to this day,
Or the terrible dancer who whisk’d her away;
But out in the court-yard — and just in that part
Where the pump stands — lay bleeding a LARGE HUMAN HEART!”
Stewart’s mad on her
No one has more respect for the EG team than Diary, but last week’s Future of Swansea coverage featured a serious omission. One section of the interview with council leader Rob Stewart went unpublished – until now. Outside the Swansea Arena, Stewart was asked who he would like to see play on opening night.
“It’s going to be a global star,” he said. “A statement act, ensuring the best of entertainment from around the world can come to this arena.”
Open your heart, man. Express yourself. Who do you want to see?
“I’m probably embarrassing myself, but I’m a big Madonna fan. She is playing smaller venues now.”
If you see this, Madge…
Contact diary@eg.co.uk
