Talk about seriously cool! Angelique Houtkamp is a Dutch tattoo artist, painter and shoe designer who brings tears to eyes! Angelique is extremely passionate (check out those tattoed biceps!) about the real/perceived romance of old school tattoos, the heyday of the wild west and the mystery of Spain. Olay! Angelique’s graphic world is filled with sultry pin-ups, broken hearts, swallows, sailing ships, spunky cowgirls and the like; coupled with a big dose of nostalgia. Angelique’s work also features in magazines, on CD covers, postcards, clothing and the like. More recently, she and Sydney’s Outre Gallery have a book that they’ve collaborated on titled Tattoo Mystique with a launch scheduled at the gallery for Friday 16 October 2009. I might try and make it myself for a gawk and a glass of fizzzz….
Dutch designer Tord Boontje is undoubtably one of my all-time favourite contemporary designers. Among his many accolades, Tord has worked in the fashion industry designing eyewear for Alexander McQueen and describes himself as working on the cusp of design, craft and the visual arts. His many, varied talents cross the boundaries between glassware, lighting and furniture; with a look that is intricate, delicate, organic, feminine – even. Born in 1968, a brief biography of his life which appears on the dedece website, claims that in 1969 he was “done with breastfeeding”, while in 1977 he buried his guinea pig in the garden. What can I say? We’ve all been there I suppose…