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David Hockney
Since his arrival on the contemporary art scene in the 1960s, Hockney has become one of Britain’s most successful and innovative artists. From portraiture to landscapes, his work is vibrant, bold and evocative. His ongoing experimentation with new technology has resulted in a diverse body of work across a range of media.

Hockney’s latest exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art, London, focuses on his ongoing love-affair with the East Yorkshire landscape, showcasing his works from the last seven years, including paintings produced on his iPad and his first foray into film.

Gilbert & George
Gilbert & George started working together after meeting at St Martins College of Art and their collaborative career now spans over 40 years. Their bold, large-scale photo-graphic pieces use imagery and motifs from London’s East End and explore the themes of religion, patriotism, sex and violence. The duo regard themselves not just as artists, but as living sculptures and their own images feature heavily in their work. One is rarely seen in public without the other and their immaculate, daily uniform of tweed suits has made them iconic British art world figures.

Grayson Perry
While Grayson Perry works with a range of media, including print-making, metalwork and tapestry, he is most widely known for his ceramics, using traditional techniques such as coiling to create his classically shaped pots. From a distance, his pottery appears brightly and beautifully decorated, but on closer inspection the detailed imagery, photo transfers and sprigs depict scenes of a darker nature and are often sexually explicit.

In 2011 Perry curated Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman at the British Museum with 30 pieces of his own work displayed alongside 170 of the museum’s artefacts, which he hand-selected over two years. The exhibition serves as a memorial, paying tribute to the anonymous artisans and craftsmen of history.

Cornelia Parker
Sculptor and installation artist Cornelia Parker takes everyday objects, ephemera and debris and transforms them into beautiful and captivating pieces. The methodology she uses to create her work is rather non-conventional. With the assistance of the British Army, Parker famously exploded a garden shed and all its contents for her piece Cold, Dark Matter: Exploded. The remains were collected and hung from the ceiling of the Tate Modern, the single moment of the explosion recreated and suspended in time.

The Chapman Brothers
Jake and Dinos Chapman’s oeuvre is subversive, grotesque and violent. They’ve grafted genitalia onto the faces of mannequin children, created models depicting extreme torture and disfigurement and, much to the ire of the art establishment, purchased a series of Goya’s prints only to deface them. They polarise both critics and audiences, with detractors often dismissing their work as puerile and offensive. But beyond the initial shock value, the deeper themes of brutality and morality that underpin the work become more obvious and intriguing.

David Hockney: A Bigger Picture is now showing until 9 April at the Royal Academy of Arts, London.
Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman continues until 26 February at the British Museum, London .

Rizzle Kicks

‘Stereo Typical’, the debut album from rascally Brighton duo Rizzle Kicks, signals a happy diversion from the current wave of mainstream UK hip hop. Reminiscent of early albums from American outfits like De La Soul and a Tribe Called Quest, their rhymes are witty, the beats and samples clever and fresh and there’s not a single synth or auto-tuned vocal to be found on the entire album.

A lo-fi aesthetic features in all of their videos, adding to the throwback feel, and there’s even some brief cameos from UK actor James Corden, musician Ed Sheeran and, in their latest single, their mums. Aw!

Mama Do the Hump

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxEINSBsbeo

Down with the Trumpets

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ip8OsExLJs

Rizzle Kicks are currently on tour across the UK and ‘Stereo Typical‘ is available now to purchase. 

For my money, one of the most interesting things you can do is Up Helly Aa on Shetland. Remote, chilly and pretty tough to get to (it’s nearer to Norway than Edinburgh) Shetland isn’t the easy choice but this festival makes it well worth it. Taking place on the last Tuesday in January, it’s the largest fire festival in Europe; a scorching, boozy bonfire topped off with the incineration of a life-sized Viking galley.

Just another Tuesday night on Shetland

Netil 360 rooftop bar at Netil House

At this time of year it’s all fairy lights, frosty nights and celebrating the festive season with your nearest and dearest. Here are some of the best places to enjoy a hot cocktail and soak up some good cheer.

Netil 360, Hackney London
On a rooftop in the East End of London,  a temporary village of tents has appeared. Every Saturday until the end of December, you can enjoy some of the nicest views of London and live sets from djs and musicians, while sipping on a hot cocktail or 3. If hanging out on a rooftop in the depths of a London winter seems like madness, fear not: (faux) fur coats are available to hire to keep you extra toasty. Follow Netil House on Facebook for news, tickets and guest list information.

The Well’s Swedish Ski Lodge, Clerkenwell London
Go underground at the The Well, Clerkenwell and discover a winter wonderland as the downstairs bar plays host to a pop-up Swedish Ski Lodge. Replete with glittery reindeer, moose antlers and a playlist of the best Swedish pop, there’s no better place in London to enjoy a glass of Aquavit, a smörgåsbord of Swedish delicacies and celebrate Christmas in true Scandi style.

The Polar Bar, Liverpool & The North Pole, Manchester
If you’re looking for a little bit of pop-up chalet chic in the north of England, The Polar Bar in Liverpool and The North Pole in Manchester have got you covered, right up until Christmas. Enjoy comfort food, Christmas cocktails on comfy chesterfields in front of a roaring fire until the wee hours. Check the Facebook pages for the latest news and  events: The Polar Bar, The North Pole.

The Sky Lodge, London Bridge
Under the glint of the ever-growing Shard building in South London, Platterform have transformed an already stunning loft into a ski lodge in the sky. This is Après Ski, with all of the off piste shenanigans and none of the skiing inflicted injuries. With entertainment provided by performance collective, Where the Wild Things Were? and festive cocktails served up by The Firewater Society, The Sky Lodge looks like one of London’s most exciting places to celebrate the silly season.

Ice Bar, Mayfair London
Featuring a freshly designed bar, cut from ice specially sourced from Torne River in northern Sweden, Icebar in Mayfair is a literal slice of the Nordics right in central London. This is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice and it’s kept to a chilly minus 5 degrees all year round. Tickets are allocated for 40 minute sessions and include thermal gloves and cape to keep you warm. After your session amongst the ice and sculptures, you can keep the festivities going in the belowzero restaurant and lounge.

It’s also rich in mystical history. Clamber down the rocky steps near the village of Bosherston and you’ll come across a tiny chapel built into the cliff face. Built in the 14th century to honour the hermit St Govan who lived alone here during the 6th century, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric place. Staring out across the Atlantic as gulls wheel overhead, it’s not hard to imagine spending a lifetime here in quiet contemplation.

Image 1 (c) Frosted Peppercorn in Flickr, Image 2 (c) Mark Howells-Mead

It’s well worth going along for the lighting ceremony when the 500 bulbs that dress the tree fizz into life heralding the start of London’s Christmas.

Chunky-knit jumpers, reindeer and Vikings are optional but welcome.

Image 2 by Mike Fleming on Flickr

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sLS5k1l8gs

Depending on your point of view and your general level of ill-feeling towards your co-workers, annual work parties are either the highlight of your social calendar or your own personal vision of hell.

Held at the head office of ‘Product Solutions Ltd’, Office Party is an experiential theatre performance where you’re not just an audience member, you’re part of the show. Exactly how involved you become is totally up to you.

After being recruited to company department, it’s time to join the party. The show itself is made up of roving set-pieces, which set up the relationships and politics amongst the ‘staff’, some audience participation and some so-bad-it’s-good corporate entertainment. In between the action there’s plenty of time to hit the bar, interact with the performers and dance away to the obligatory ABBA mega-mix, as requested by the CEO.

Office Party is a fun and entertaining night out, best enjoyed with a group of friends and a steady flow of refreshments from the bar.

Now showing at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington London until January 21.

Not that I would ever pour scorn on JB. The first time I saw the white Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy who Loved Me, I went mental. An impossibly cool car that was also a submarine? Who could ask for more? And now there’s a chance to see 50 of Bond’s coolest vehicles – including the floating Lotus – at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest.

Bond in Motion will run for the whole of 2012 in celebration of 50 years of James Bond movies and is set to be the largest exhibit of its kind. The Lotus is called ‘Wet Nellie’. Go figure.