Paolozzi Masterclass- book launch

(Caption) from left to right: Amy Drewery and Avril Nicol, directors of the &Collective gallery,  Malcolm Shaw, who helped proof-read and digitise the photos, Ann Shaw, author, and Catherine King, artist and art lecturer with her husband, Richard.

    Art historian Geraldine Prince,  who organised the Masterclass on behalf of Edinburgh College of Art, regaled us with stories of what it was like trying to organise and "control" Paolozzi -a man notorious for his ferocious temper- during the Masterclass.

Paolozzi was not a man amendable to authority and he let Geraldine know on the first morning that she could go back to her office " and do those faxes or whatever it is that you do."

Well, it was certainly a book launch with a difference and thanks to the &Collective gallery in Bridge of Allan who were hosting it  the evening went like clockwork.

( Special thanks to Avril Nicol and Amy Drewery, co-directors and Ruth Drewery for all their hard work).

And I got to meet my publisher Stuart Johnson of Kennedy & Boyd for the first time.

He turned out to be a charming, erudite individual not at all like the hard-nosed publisher I had expected.

Also I met lot of friends again whom I had not seen for some time, along with new ones and we had the whole event filmed by Joel  Rock, a young student from Stirling University  Film and Media Department.

 (Caption) from left to right: Pamela 

Stennett of Kennedy & Boyd , Leslie Duncan, Poetry Editor of The Herald who helped edit the book and Amy Drewery, director of the &Collective gallery, Bridge of Allan.

Paolozzi Revealed by Ann Shaw, publisher Kennedy & Boyd, price £12.99 available from the &Collective gallery, Bridge of Allan or Amazon.

Masterclass with Paolozzi

Paolozzi working with students during the Masterclass he held at Edinburgh College of Art in 1996.

I was one of those students and he asked us to keep a diary.
Timorrow sees the publication of that book, Paolozzi Revealed, with a launch in the &Collective gallery in Bridge of Allan.

Paolozzi Revealed, Ann Shaw, published by Kennedy & Boyd, price £12.99. Available on Amazon.

Paolozzi on drawing

Paolozzi having his hand cast in plaster - Edinburgh College of Art, 1996


Extract from Paolozzi Revealed:

" I had just taken this photograph of Paolozzi’s hand, as he waited to have it cast in plaster when he said in a very loud voice:

“Once this would have been sketched. Now you are all using cameras.”

We took the hint. We dropped our cameras and scurried back to the studio to collect our sketchbooks."


Paolozzi Revealed by Ann Shaw, published by Kennedy & Boyd, price £12.99

Paolozzi drawing- Masterclass

Paolozzi’s generosity is something I remember from the Masterclass I did with him.

For example he handed out photocopies like this of his work.

I regret I did not include it in the book. Maybe in future print runs it can be  added, something that is now possible with print on demand.

In fact I found other material, which possibly should have been included too.

Paolozzi Revealed, by Ann Shaw, published by Kennedy & Boyd, price £12.99.

Will anyone come? only four days to the book launch of Paolozzi Revealed and I am getting nervous.

The gallery, &Collective, are taking care of the entire organisation and they assure me all I have to do is turn up on the night.

But will anyone else be there? I have heard so many stories of writers sitting in splendid isolation in some bookshop with a pile of their books while the public stroll past ignoring him or her.

There will be wine and nibbles and a chance to meet up with friends in a trendy gallery setting on a Friday night so hopefully that will be an attraction.

I remember Paolozzi telling us one day that  geometry was the key to his work. At the end of the course he gave us all a signed plaster cast (see photo above).

Gerald Prince, course director  of the Masterclass said that if anyone thought they had not had value for money on the course then they could sell the head. The other day mine was valued at £5,000.

Paolozzi was fascinated by the interaction between technology and humans and the idea of robots. At the time it seemed like science-fiction. Today the scientists are designing robots and it is anticipated they will take over most of our work starting with robots around the house to do the cooking and cleaning to cars that drive themselves .

Invitations to Paolozzi book launch

Have spent most of yesterday and today sending out invitations for the book launch. First were the emails then the printed invites.

The first person to accept was Richard Demarco, "art royalty", so I am more than delighted.
Clare Henry, former  art critic for The Herald and the Financial Times now based in New York, also responded within hours. Unfortunately she will not be in Glasgow until July.

Both Richard Demarco and Clare Henry knew Paolozzi well.

Meanwhile the &Collective gallery in Bridge of Allan, who will be hosting the event, have already got some books on sale.

Paolozzi Revealed by Ann Shaw, published by Kennedy & Boyd, price £12.99. Available on Amazon .

Paolozzi Revealed

Yes its finally published- my ten days Masterclass with Paolozzi.

The title of the book is Paolozzi Revealed and it is available on Amazon.

The official book launch will be at the &Collective gallery in Bridge of Allan  next week on the 19 June from 7-9 pm

Now its a case of letting everyone know about it.  Do hope enough books arrive in time from the printer. ...