Jack Tan

A tourist screams “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe” as four policemen pin his neck to the ground in the street.

Within seconds, Frank Ogboru stops breathing and dies. But none of the men restraining the Nigerian car dealer will be face a court because the Crown Prosecution Service says there is not enough evidence to charge them.

Read full article and see video of his death in custody on the Daily Mirror website.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has announced that it will begin an inquiry into British attitudes and understanding of ‘Human Rights’. According to a poll, 40% of people have either not heard the phrase ‘human rights’, are unable to name any of the protected rights or don’t know if they support the legislation.

The Commission’s inquiry will separate myth from reality, confronting and engaging both critics and supporters. In addition to traditional in-depth research, public polling and focus group work, the Commission will convene a series of public evidence sessions where it will hear from expert witnesses.

Human Rights Inquiry webpage

‘There are no historical references to Celts in ancient Britain. Miles explained that “Celts” was a name applied to tribes in Gaul—modern-day France—though their language shared the same root as those spoken by British tribes.

“In the 18th and 19th centuries, as Ireland, Wales, and Scotland started to assert national identity, they began to talk about themselves as Celts,” Miles added.

Miles acknowledged that the techniques used to explore genetic ancestry are still in their infancy and that many more samples are needed to fully understand the origins of the British people.’

Read full article “British Have Changed Little Since Ice Age, Gene Study Says“

SBS is currently facing the threat of closure as a result of Ealing Council’s decision to withdraw our funding as of April 2008.

This is happening in spite of overwhelming local support for keeping council funding for this unique service (Ealing Times newspaper poll), and in the face of current Tory policy.

The local authority’s decision is based on the view that there is no need for specialist services for black and minority women and that services to abused women in the borough need to be streamlined. This view fails to take account of the unequal social, economic and cultural context which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for black and minority women to access outside help or seek information about their rights.

Read more …

The 2008 graduating students from the departments of Ceramics & Glass, Animation and Communication Art & Design are holding their Work-In-Progress exhibition from 29 Nov - 8 Dec. I will be showing work with other the first year Ceramics & Glass students who will be exhibiting their first term work.

The Private View will be on 6 December 2007 at 6.00pm - 8.30pm at the Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7.

Click the image below to view a printable copy of the Private View invitation.

For a map of the Royal College of Art, click here.

Nearest Tubes: South Kensington, Gloucester Road
Busses: 9, 10, 52, 452
Parking: Metered street parking available

The Summer break is almost finished and it’s time to look up and look ahead at what’s coming next.

Monday 1 October is enrollment day at the Royal College of Art, and no doubt there will be shows in the pipeline organised by the College. Will keep you posted on where I will be exhibiting next.

Thanks everyone for coming for the private view. It was excellent to see you all. The show opens proper today and carries on until Sunday. Weekdays 11am - 8pm, and weekends 11am - 5pm. If you didn’t manage to make it for the private view, do come anytime until Sunday.

The invitations to the degree show Private View are out and flying through the post on the way to you now.

Our degree show begins on 13 June. The Private View is on 12 June from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Email me if you would like an invite.

Check out the Harrow Ceramics website for more details, pics and transport info.