Jack Oughton – 21.03.11 - Something Different In Haringey.pdf

Jack  Oughton  –  21.03.11  –  There’s  Something  Different  in  Haringey.  

Nestled  in  the  flourishing  cultural  hub  of  The  Bernie  Grants  Art  Centre  in  Tottenham,  you’ll  find  a  little  paint-­‐stained  treasure.  Not  quite  a  design  firm,  not  quite  an  art  studio,  Different  Prints  is  a  quirky  mix  of  both,  fusing  old  world  painted  fabrics  with  cutting  edge  digital  tricks.  

The  studio  is  almost  a  work  of  art  in  itself.  A  wonderful  explosion  of  color,  pop  art,  eastern  philosophical  imagery  and  mechanical  objects.  Paint  stains  the  floor  and  the  room  feels  alive  with  new  work  and  creativity.  As  I  enter,  head  honcho  Andreas  ushers  me  through  the  wonderful  chaos  over  to  a  spot  where  the  computer  sits  and  begins  to  tell  me  the  story  of  this  eclectic  organization.  

Started  by  in  early  2009,  the  company  is  now  going  strong.  Its  accomplishments  so  far  have  included  national  exposure  on  the  People’s  Supermarket,  which  aired  on  Channel  4.  Different  Prints  designed  the  signage  and  the  visual  branding  used  by  the  food  cooperative  and  both  companies  found  that  they  shared  a  similar  outlook.  

Different  Prints  gained  further  national  exposure  during  the  Obama  Inauguration  by  designing  and  displaying  an  iconic  mural  of  the  new  president  which  was  shown  on  the  BBC  News.  It  was  later  purchased  by  a  private  buyer.  

Andreas’  story  is  something  of  an  inspiration  to  struggling  creatives  everywhere.  He’s  a  Tottenham  resident,  who  ‘escaped’  a  corporate  design  job  when  he  found  himself  deeply  unsatisfied  with  his  work.  This  drastic  change  came  in  response  to  a  searching  question  he  asked  himself  one  day;  why  couldn’t  he  be  creatively  fulfilled  and  still  make  a  living?  Turns  out  that  he  could;  “I  believed  that  as  long  as  I  did  what  I  believed  in,  my  belief  would  carry  me  through”  

Andreas  believes  that  although  Tottenham  has  something  of  a  bad  reputation  from  the  outside,  the  impression  of  residents  is  positive.  He  sees  it  as  part  of  his  role  an  artist  to  present  a  positive  image  of  the  borough  and  encourages  others  to  do  the  same,  however  they  can.  

So,  what’s  next  for  Different  Prints?  Well,  for  a  start  the  development  of  an  eco  friendly  clothing  range  based  around  their  philosophy.  I  got  to  sneak  at  a  preview  of  the  shirts  that  they  were  working  on,  which  was  exciting  (I  can’t  say  much  more!).  More  personally,  Andreas  is  looking  to  exhibit  his  own  artwork  at  a  gallery.  Though  times  are  hard  on  small  businesses  at  the  moment,  when  asked,  he  was  optimistic  for  the  future.  “Onwards  and  upwards!”  

More  colorful  things  are  brewing  at  the  Bernie  Grant  Arts  Centre..  

See  more  at  http://www.differentprints.co.uk/