nding a di erent

continued from Page 10 familiar landmarks, he’s always looking to bring a fresh perspective to the places he draws and paints.

“Low vantage points always inspire me,” he said. “When the tide goes out and you’re down on the Thames foreshore, you see buildings and the whole of ondon in a different way.

“I used to kayak on the Thames, so I was privileged to see unusual views, and that’s part of my mindset. It’s escapism from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can be in central London, or in Wapping, just down by the water and it gives you a sense of tranquillity – although you have to be aware of the tides of course, which can also change the view as boats rise and fall.

“The sketches I do on location are much better than photographs, which can distort things – so they are my cri -sheet for working on the finished pieces in the studio. I find the paintings just happen – some are happy accidents and some come through skills that I’ve picked up by trial and error.

“Some of my pieces are painted on reclaimed marble, which is quite unusual. They look almost three dimensional and have a connection to the history of London. Some of the marble I use is recycled Thames ballast that would have been dumped in the river in the 18th and 19th centuries after ships had taken on cargo. It has natural patterning and colouration from its time in the river and that’s something I work with.”

- Limehouse - Shadwell what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard

The Aussie rockers come to London o the back of the release of ve albums this year – an astonishingly proli c period. Support from Los Bitchos. Mar 23, 7pm, from £39.90, troxy.org.uk

Where?

Troxy Limehouse

GIG | PH-1: About Damn Time

South Korean American rapper PH-1 comes to the Limehouse venue for his rst world tour. Expect blistering lyrics from this potent performer. Apr 2, from 5pm, from £45.20, troxy.org.uk

Where?

Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

GIG | Paris! From Piaf To Pop Singer Christine Bovill brings her interpretations of French song to the East End stage, fresh from a ve-star run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Mar 28-Apr 1, times vary, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk ash back physical link to both the subject of his

As a registered mudlark, Ed has a physical link to both the subject of his paintings and, with the marble, the medium he works with.

“I don’t dig or scrape on the foreshore, I just pick things up from the surface,” he said. “Anything of archaeological significance is recorded and reported to the Museum Of London. The Thames is like a washing machine – items just get churned up and uncovered.”

Trading at the market is another point of connection, where visitors can browse his works or chat with their creator.

“It’s been a steep learning curve but one that I’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “It’s lovely to meet both fellow traders and the general public. I think it’s important that people have an opportunity to speak to artists and I’ve had lovely stories of young people being inspired by my work.” commercial clients and individuals.

As for the future, Ed intends to continue balancing the work he wants to paint with commissions from commercial clients and individuals.

Ed’s work is available to buy online with an extensive range of signed prints from £35 and greetings cards and postcards also available.

Ed’s work is available to buy online with an extensive range of signed prints from £35 and greetings cards and postcards also available. Prices for the latter start at £2. Go to edjbucknall.com for more information eaders can also find d at Wapping Docklands Market, which runs at Brussels Wharf from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and at Canada Water Market at Deal Porter Square on Sundays at the same times.

This is Limehouse-based lmmaker Mark AC Brown whose latest feature Dead On The Vine is gearing up for its UK premiere, having won three categories at Kevin Smith’s inaugural Smodcastle Film Festival in the USA markacbrown.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Mark, covering his journey to become a writer and director want more? @whar ifelive what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

by Jon Massey

STAGE | Morveren

Drawing on Cornish mythology, this mermaid-rich tale is a celebration of community and a coming of age story for three generations of women. Mar 28-Apr 1, 7.30pm, from £6, space.org.uk

Where?

Poplar Union Poplar

GIG | Chewy She: Immersive Show

Audiences are invited to enter this wonky carnival world for an evening of dance, music, theatre, fashion, art and alternative comedy. Mar 31, 8pm, £12, poplarunion.com

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs he final for at and price of the forthcoming tastings is still in production but will be announced on the venue’s website and social media channels in due course. Go to thegundocklands.com or follow @thegundocklands on Insta for more information

The Gun is a pub that has long been about bringing people together. That might be the illicit meetings of Lord Horatio Nelson and Lady Emma Hamilton (whose trysts remain immortalised with their names on the toilet doors), rugby fans indulging in pints while watching the game or locals catching up around the fire or out on the terrace in the warmer months.

Recently it’s been experimenting with wine tastings refining and ageing its for ula ahead of the launch of a regular series on the last Friday of the onth, set to kick off in earnest on March 31.

Having recently attended one of the warm-up events, I’m happy to confir that he rape Escape features no uncomfortable tunnelling beneath the Thames or Steve McQueen impressions.

Rather, it was a snug evening in the company of fellow wine enthusiasts, heated by an open fire and set to the gra elly tones of deputy manager Fabio Scarpa, whose rich drawl proved as deep and rewarding as the notes in a well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

Perhaps the most striking thing about the evening, however, was its role as a catalyst for interaction – bringing long standing local residents together with east London newbies, to much merriment. Lubricated by three reds, three whites and a fi , the atmosphere was open and welcoming as a diverse group of attendees talked about the wines, themselves and a certain amount of nonsense (me) in good cheer. Having come through two years where talking freely to strangers was pretty much an impossibility, it was refreshing to see how easily and enjoyably the world has returned to normal.

Looking around at smiling faces, with fast friendships formed, it was also a moment to re ect that people ha e een enjoying such pleasant evenings at the venue since the 1700s.

With a la y fire s ouldering in the grate and the scent of wood smoke in the nostrils, perhaps some things don’t change so very much.

7Wines were provided at the tasting event – three whites, three reds and a zz

The Gun in Coldharbour is set to host regular monthly wine tastings with the possibility of more in the summer

STAGE | Ten Days

Matthew Jameson brings the Russian Revolution to the stage in this contemporary re ection on democracy and the grave warnings of history. Fun. Mar 14-25, times vary, from £5, space.org.uk try this

Discover Sacred Geometry with local artist Melanie Amber Bell with a four-week art course at Poplar Union. Two-hour sessions take place on Thursdays at 6pm, starting April 6, costing £8 for drop-ins or £30 for the lot poplarunion.com

Scan this code to nd out more about the course or to book your place via Poplar Union want more? @whar ifelive

We tasted seven wines, nibbled on cheese and took turns to tour the pub from top to bottom –enjoying its views, nooks and cellar to get an appreciation of the place’s history and continuing appeal.