I spent last Friday afternoon checking it out with a friend. It was frustratingly crowded, which I guess is to be expected with blockbuster shows like this one – but once we dodged the school groups and the selfie sticks, we got the chance to appreciate pieces he created over the past 20 years (including some new ones, specifically for RA). He’s very good at corrupting traditions to make a case for human rights and creative freedom – and though it’s occasionally cheeky and disturbing, it’s unequivocally sincere.

The show’s worth a visit and on until 13th December and you can find out more about it here. In the meantime, check out some of my snaps from my recent visit below:

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 The area in London I call home is… anywhere that there are like-minded individuals. At the moment I’m living in Streatham, but I call the whole city home. Each borough is like a different member of the family. They all have their different personalities, and some get on your nerves sometimes, but you love them all because they have all contributed to you. So you could say at the moment I’m staying with aunty Streatham…

 I’ve got to have a meal at…Food For Thought near Neal’s Yard, just off Covent Garden – it serves beautiful vegetarian food. It’s healthy and organic but it’s small and I can’t afford to go all the time – but definitely worth it.

 I tend to get my threads from…I  keep clothes for years so I don’t often buy new attire. Most of my clothes tend to be from different places like the market, friends and guess the odd T-shirt from Topman, but, I try to keep away from chain stores – I think it’s good to promote independent businesses. Dalston Market is particularly good for some bits and bobs and you can generally find a few independent businesses around East London. Camden is also an experience, and although some of the clothes aren’t to everyone’s taste, you can get some great stuff in the market if you look hard enough.

 To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should…Try to look for live music events as we have great bands in London. Live jazz nights on the weekend in Clapham North are always good. There’s also a great salsa bar in Streatham just opposite Streatham rail station. It just depends on what your flavour is. But, I think you would be silly to miss out on our talented live music scene. Brixton also has plenty to say on that front.

[quote]
If I was mayor I would set up weekly friendly football and
volleyball matches between the police and the community to
build stronger bonds and relationships
[/quote]

If I was mayor…I wouldn’t know where to start! London is a great place but I think if the right things were nurtured it would be out of this world. Transport is extortionate and the prices are set to rise again…so I would try to sort that out. I would also set up Pat-Ball walls all across London so the kids could get used to being constructive and active outside. I remember when I was younger all the kids spent hours playing pat-ball, we were having fun and getting exercise, so when we went home we had our dinner and went straight to bed…It’s a parents dream! Furthermore, I would set up weekly friendly football and volleyball matches between the police and the community to build stronger bonds and relationships.

 My favorite spot to check out art is…Wherever there is a good exhibition. East London has an open gallery night each month, which is a great opportunity to check out loads of galleries.

 I’d kindly tell a tourist to…buy an umbrella

 The things I miss when I leave London are…the people I leave behind.

 My soundtrack to London would include…

Smiley Culture’s Cockney Translation – it’s a great reflection of the humour and racial diversity of London.

 Vindaloo (the World Cup anthem) – because it’s so London…good old days.

And any Corrine Bailey Rae song – for a day chilling in the park with the missus or close friends.

Check out Amartey’s artwork at: www.amarteygolding.com (Interview: Monique Todd) 

The post Metropolitans: Amartey Golding, artist appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

 The area in London I call home is…Stoke Newington. It’s full of buff mums and trendy babies but I like it! Some of the restaurants on Church Street are amazing and the area is full of musicians, artists and likeminded people.

 I tend to get my threads from…Supreme Being and SS20 (Oxford). Supreme Being have endorsed Submotion so I get a lot of amazing free clobber from them, which is nice. SS20 is the shop I always got my threads from as a kid. I still think it’s one of the best clothes shops around.

 To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should…To be honest, I don’t really go out if I’m not playing ‘cos I spend of my time playing in clubs and venues anyway! The best venues I have played in London are probably the Jazz Cafe in Camden which is great and The Coronet in Elephant and Castle. For amazing free music get down to the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank every Friday evening. Or you get on a bus and go to Subdub in Leeds, which is by far the best night I have been to in the UK!

 If I was mayor, I would…Ban 4×4’s, give everyone a free pushbike, start funding the arts again, ban people wearing scarves with a t-shirt, and do a grime collaboration with Boris Johnson.

 My favourite spot to check out art is…in any toilet, in any nightclub, anywhere in London.

 I’d kindly tell a tourist to…promote the hell out of Submotion when they get home.

 The things I miss when I leave London are…my girlfriend, the food, the noise, the energy, the constant chaos, my piano.

 My soundtrack to London would include:

“Jibber” by Ruckspin, “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” by Donny Hathaway, “Boho Dance” by Joni Mitchell, “The Peacocks” by Bill Evans, “Helplessly Hoping” by Crosby, Stills and Nash and “Gold” by Darkstar.

The album Finest Hour by Submotion Orchestra is out now.  For more info, visit www.submotion.co.uk. 

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