Dreaming of you

Ahhh….Dreamboats. What springs to mind for you? A quick straw poll of the  Design Week office elicits responses ranging from Johnny Depp and Damon Albarn to a very unimaginative, ‘er…I’ll get back to you.’

Thankfully, imagination isn’t something those behind the Dreamboat Records vs Inkygoodness exhibition are short of.

by Darren John
by Darren John

Their forthcoming show at Bristol’s Start the Bus will see artists and musicians united by the power of the Dreamboat, to a soundtrack from cherry-picked musicians on the Dreamboat Records label.

Works from 28 illustrators, artists and image-makers from Bristol and beyond will be on show, including, Colourbox, Darren John, Dave Bain, Lisa Hassell, Matt Saunders, Middleboop, Mister Millerchip, Muxxi, Sarah Dennis, Steve Rack & Toy Factory.

by Dave Bain
by Dave Bain

Creative director of Inkygoodness, Lisa Hassell, says, ‘We were almost expecting everyone would just draw boats, but luckily it’s been a lot more diverse than that.

‘Some people have taken it to mean their idols, others have created a narrative about being on their “dreamboat.”  There’s also some character design and more graphic work, like pictures advertising the dreamboat they’ve “built.”  It’s very interesting to see how everyone’s interpreted the theme.’

by Middle Boop
by Middle Boop

The organisers also promise that the gallery space will be transformed into a dream-like, magical wonderland, softly lit to festive music and hand-made decorations.

But far from a feeble sprinkling of fake snow, this ‘wonderland’ will feature a specially fashioned boat for visitors to interact with.

by Matt Saunders
by Matt Saunders

People will be encouraged to scrawl their own dreams onto the boat’s sails, rendering it almost a massive letter to Father Christmas, ready to set sail into the land of dreams.

The boat will be lit with festive lights, and, of course, mulled wine and mince pies will accompany the visual and aural delights on offer.

by Middle Boop
by Middle Boop

‘Dreamboat’ opens on Friday 10 December at the Start Gallery / Start the Bus, 7-9 Baldwin Street Bristol BS1, 7pm-late. The show runs until December 30, open daily 11am-4pm.

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