Nº 23: Sam Harris
The artist recs a secret bookshop in the Barbican, marzipan figs in Soho, his local supper quiz, and much more.
We’re back with artist Sam Harris. Read on to find out what he’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations once a week.
Sam Harris is a London-based artist working in a variety of disciplines. During the lockdown he made a website that calculated toilet paper usage. He also tends to write in the third person.
☞ THE BUNKER: A fantastic art bookshop hidden away in the depths of the Barbican. Lot’s of great second hand books and ephemera to rummage through. Arnaud who started the shop also runs The Everyday Press who publish the work of great artists such as Ian Whittlesea and Simon Popper.
☞ MANGAL 1: The best Turkish restaurant in London - they make some brilliant Lahmacun.
☞ SAPLING: Lovely art gallery in the heart of Mayfair (Mount Street Mews). Lots of great shows, the most recent being a duo show of Lucia Pizzani and Vanessa da Silva. I recently collaborated with the gallery and Gilbert & George to create some limited edition seed packets which you can buy from Sapling directly.
☞ FOR LONDONERS WITH A SWEET TOOTH, GET:
The Marzipan Fig from Maison Bertaux
The Jam Doughnut from Brick Lane Beigel Bake
Any cookie from Ben’s Cookies
☞ THE GOLDEN HEART: Great pub run by the always amazing best landlady in London, if not the world – Sandra Esquilant.
☞ FACTUAL NONSENSE: Started and finished reading this in a day. This book is a fascinating insight into the life of Joshua Compston and the east end centred art world of the 90s. A must read for anyone interested in recent art history and essentially how the era of the YBAs was formed, through accounts of the people that were there.
☞ SPIZZA NAPOLETANA: Whilst walking back to the station in London Bridge with a friend recently, we happened to spot a new pizza place called ‘Spizza’. I am always on the lookout for new pizza in and around London so this was a great find. Massimo who runs the place is from Naples - nice guy and a great pizzaiolo.
☞ BEN WILSON: My friend Ben is one of my favourite artists in London. You may have seen him painting chewing gum on the floor before (the millennium bridge being a hotspot for his work), but if not I would definitely check out his stuff!
☞ SUPPER QUIZ: Recently attended a supper quiz for the local bowls club. Was the youngest by 30 years. Great experience – would highly recommend attending your local spot.
♪ LISTENING TO:
☠︎ HATES: The ever increasing price of the Freddo, 1 ply toilet paper.
Ty Sam! Follow Sam here. Keep up-to-date with his work here.
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Thanks for this. Is this the same Sam Harris? https://open.spotify.com/episode/68rwEpF1nKkHpAZe7tuNvt?si=tPsxlLaBSUi2BP4SQJFrZg
NOTE: I just found out that it is!