Poppy

Poppy, Julia Manheim, 2021, tracing paper, staples, sea sponge, poppy seeds

Today, Julia Manheim's exquisite, delicate monument has appeared in a car park in Whiting Street. 

I am drowning in your culture war,
No turning back from the past,
Kids are growing up so fast,
Every truth, black and blue,
Sleepin’ crimes burn in you.
 
We soak up every stain to survive,
Better life, they sold me,
Better future, anxiety,
I’m a sponge, growing up so fast,
Mom and Dad never gonna last.
 
You screwed-up, ring me out,
Childhood crumbs, ring me out,
Domino bibles, ring me out,
Mum’s net tears, lost on me,
A stand-up life, the way to be.
 
Ed Arantus

Julia Manheim is an artist and curator. She originally trained as a jeweller and became well known in the 1980's for her large-scale experimental jewellery and body wear. Since then, her work has encompassed sculpture, installation art and short films which can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/user10128235. She has worked as lead artist on several public art projects. Throughout, her work has been distinguished by her close observation, ability to find interest in the seemingly mundane, a strong sense of colour and an interest in re-using discarded materials. She is the author of the Sustainable Jewellery book published by A&C Black. https://m2gallery.com/julia-manheim

​Ed Arantus published his first work in the Censored Zine in 2010 and has exhibited his work ever since at venues like the Contemporary Arts Research Unit in Oxford and the Museum of Futures in Surbiton. Earlier this year he was a writer for the Love Tokens and Bad Pennies exhibition with CollectConnect. See  http://edarantus.blogspot.com/ and witter @EdArantus Instagram @edarantus Facebook Ed Arantus