Hindsight explores issues surrounding the city’s social, political and urban landscape, offering a thought-provoking alternative to a conventional gallery setting.

Hindsight will feature new works by London-based visual artists John Greene, James Voller and Monsieur Chéri himself, Steven Marshall.

Hindsight will be at Specs Gallery from 10-20 December with private views on 8 and 9 December (invitation only).

To attend one of the private views, RSVP with guest names to: info@specsgallery.co.uk

Designed by Chinese American architect L.M Pei and opened in 2008, the imposing building with beautiful lines and smooth facades lies on an island, just off the Corniche.  On my drive from the airport to Renaissance Doha City Center, it was lit up majestically in blue – a breathtaking first impression of the city.

The Museum Of Islamic Art houses an eclectic selection of artworks and artefacts, spanning a huge range of cultures, religions and eras.  The impressive artworks date from as far back as the seventh century and originate from all over the Islamic world – Iran, India, North Africa, Egypt, Syria and Spain (when the Iberian peninsula was the Islamic region ‘Al-Andalus’).

The design of the building is inspired by traditional Islamic patterns and exterior arches frame the spectacular Doha harbour and skyline.  The focal point of the museum is the central domed atrium, which has an great sense of calm and purpose.

The permanent collections are presented in dimmed, spacious halls that circle around the atrium on two floors.  When we visited, there wasn’t a visiting exhibition to see, but there is so much in the main collections to capture your interest – in fact, leave at least two hours to fully explore the museum.

On show were beautifully crafted pages from the Qur’an, certificates of pilgrimage to Mecca, decorative wall hangings, ancient jugs, a ceramic cenotaph, bronze statues, intricate patterned tiles and tiny jewel boxes containing the tiniest excerpts of the Qur’an.

The Museum of Islamic Art really comes to life at night and it becomes a shining beacon on the Doha harbour.  It is the true jewel of Doha and an extraordinary homage to Islamic arts.  It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Doha – a memory you’ll keep forever.

For more info, visit: www.mia.org.qa

All photos by Chérie City.

Betty Ann is quite the doyenne of the Toronto art and design scene and she knows literally every young creative and entrepreneur on the west side.  Betty Ann was our passport for drawing out gossip and tales about the area, so you’re sure to find out some interesting facts that you’d never usually be privy to.

We started our tour at the Gladstone Hotel, a boutique art hotel steeped in history.  Each of the 37 rooms has been individually designed by a local artist and a whole floor has been made into a dedicated gallery space.

During our visit, the exhibition featured chairs customised by big-name Canadian artists and designers that were to be auctioned off.  The team at the Gladstone is made up of artists and curators who are in charge of the cultural programme and organise their own art happenings around the city.

In the daytime, local creatives come and drink coffee in the delightful Gladstone Cafe and the newly re-opened Melody Bar retains its historical legacy while offering cockails and good food.

Then it was on to The Drake Hotel, Queen West’s second boutique art hotel with a slightly cooler buzz than the Gladstone.  The Drake Hotel is the place to be seen in Queen West, whether it’s catching up with friends over a monster brunch of Southern Fried Chicken with Waffles or catching some sun on the Sky Yard roof patio with a glass of Rosemary Lemonade from their grown-up Lemonade Stand.

The uber-cool dining room hosts a series of pop up restaurants based on their favourite movies and countries.  When I visited, the theme was Chinatown circa 1940s L.A with a decadent Chinese menu designed by chef Anthony Rose.

The rooms are modern, slick and beautifully designed and the narrow corridors lend to daydreaming about the hotel’s illustrious past as a former brothel.  The Drake also has full-time art curators, so you can expect lots of fun surprises and intriguing artwork scattered around the hotel.

Next door is the Drake General Store, a hip reinvention of the traditional hotel gift shop filled with cool design pieces and kitsch sourced from around the world and an art wall featuring the work of up and coming artists from Toronto.

Another Betty Ann insider secret was the graffiti art on the back streets directly behind, which was commissioned by the Drake Hotel.

We visited some wonderful art galleries and boutiques along Queen Street West and Betty Ann took us up Ossington Avenue, an up-and-coming street that is making a name for itself away from the increasingly high rent and condos of Queen West.

Read the Chérie City and Betty Ann Jordan guide to the best of West Queen West…

A2ZANE – The handsome and charming Zane was a handbag specialist at Canadian department store Holt Renfrew before setting up his own Queen Street West boutique, so this guy really knows his leather.  He was the first to bring The Cambridge Satchel Company to Toronto and stocks niche brands such as Rebecca Minkoff, Juma, Matt & Nat and Tila March.

Chasse Gardée – Stylist Daniela Bosco’s industrial-chic boutique is the place to find womenwear and shoes by niche designers and indie labels.  Brands include Swedish Hasbeens, Kelsi Dagger, Rokin, Finsk, Karen Walker and cool NYC label A Détacher.

Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Arts Projects – Focusing on artwork with a narrative, Katharine Mulherin’s three showcase galleries host exhibitions by emerging and mid-career Canadian and international artists.  We saw a fantastic exhibition by Robert Hengeveld concerned with the beauty of artificial nature.

Stephen Bulger Gallery – A chic photography gallery with a private screening room and a petite cafe.  Showing during our visit was the 60th anniversary exhibition of Ruth Orkin’s American Girl in Italy.

Sweaty Betty’s – Drew Barrymore ditched her after-party to drink with friends at this hole in the wall bar and patio that overnight became the place to be.  They don’t do cocktails, period.  Ask for anything more demanding than a whiskey or a beer and you’ll be shown the way to The Drake!

Thieves Boutique – Sonja den Elzen’s sustainable collections using natural materials and dyes are seriously covetable without compromise.  Other brand stocked include Heartfelt, Zuzanium and Heidi Ackerman (no, not a Haider Ackerman typo).

If you’re coming to Toronto, plan a weekend visit to West Queen West and starting with a brunch on the patio at The Drake or lunch at Union on Ossington.  Then stroll down Queen Street West, visiting the boutiques and galleries, back into the centre of town.

…and you absolutely MUST book a tour with Betty Ann Jordan!

For more info, visit: www.seetorontonow.com and http://artinsite.net

Chérie City was a guest of Tourism Toronto and Kuoni.

East London is known for its pop-up restaurants, DIY supper clubs and shabby-chic cafes, but ANDOR BUREAU is something a little bit special.

ANDOR GALLERY has been running since 2010 with monthly exhibitions and the new opening is ANDOR BUREAU, which hosts the gallery and presents a film programme, one-off supper clubs, evening events and delicious food and drink throughout the day.

After passing the cafe every day on the way to Bethnal Green tube, we took a stroll down to Ombra, the new Venetian restaurant opposite, looked around the art galleries on Vyner Street and finished at ANDOR BUREAU for coffee and cake.

Coffee is by Monmouth and there is a selection of mouth-watering salads and sandwiches (mostly £5.50 and under) and cakes.  We ordered two flat whites and a slice of New York Cheesecake with Berries to share.

The flat whites were petite, strong and rich roasted with a slightly sharp after-taste often found in French coffee.

The New York cheesecake looked like it had come straight from a foodie magazine shoot and it tasted as good as it looked.  It was creamy and light with a touch of vanilla and an insanely delicious base – the berries and fresh mint also made it not overly sweet.

In fact, the baker of the cheesecake was sitting at the table next to us, so you can be assured that everything is home-made.

The art installation at the time of our visit was ‘Let’s Be Civil’ a collaboration between Gandt and ANDOR.  Based on the concept of a civil partnership between the two, guests are invited to offer a gift, inspired by a standard John Lewis wedding gift list.

Gandt describe the creation in the ANDOR GALLERY as a “quasi-domestic, quasi performative, semi-public/private amalgamation of kind, friendly and slightly obliged donations.”

To be honest, at first I just thought ANDOR were into their bric-a-brac and had slightly questionable taste, but it’s art…so go and have a look!

ANDOR is a delightfully odd space and a hub of creativity with a relaxed community feel.  Go for coffee and cake and watch the world go by or be more adventurous and try one of the foodie event.  I’m saving my pennies for the end of the month Brunch of Doom!

For more info and menus, visit: www.creativeandorcultural.com

This summer, Wyld have collaborated with the wonderful illustrator Natasha Law on ‘The Wyld Couple’ – a set of limited edition male and female shot glasses.

Natasha took inspiration from the glamorous, rock ‘n’ roll party scenes at Wyld.

Just order a shot at the bar and staff will turn a blind eye if you want to slip one into your purse!

The female shot glass is available first and then you’ll have to come back at Wyld to pick up her man and reunite the couple.

Shots might not have previously been on your bar radar, but Wyld’s selection of premium, rare and vintage tequilas could be too hard to resist. Try Wyld’s signature shot – premium tequila, kaffir lime sugar syrup, lemon and fresh watermelon.

If you’re not into shots, try one of Wyld’s premium tequila-based cocktails, such as a Mexican Sunset or a Sunburnt Senorita.  For the ultimate indulgence, order the Bonkers Ball – a mix of premium rum punch topped off with either Dom Perignon or Cristal, served in a giant disco ball and complete with dry ice for a bit of drama.  If you ask nicely, the bar staff might give you a Natasha Law shot glass to take home!

Wyld operates an invitation only door policy.  For more info, visit: www.wlondon.co.uk/wyld

Clerkenwell was a sea of coffee and pastries as each design venue held an open-house for visitors to see their pieces.

There was so much to get through, but highlights for me were the Be A Pin Up installation by Lulu Guinness, the Step Inside Bar at Clerkenwell Garage, Dezeen Watch Store, Lee Broom is deadgood, the super-slick Jaguar cars, floor tile art at forbo and Camira.

If you’re going to Clerkenwell Design Week, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dining.  I can personally recommend breakfast at Bistro Bruno Loubet, a lunchtime pint and burger at Fox & Anchor, steak from the Josper grill at Bistro du Vin Clerkenwell, a locally-sourced dinner at The Brasserie at The London Mal and evening cocktails at The Zetter Townhouse Bar.

Clerkenwell Design Week is on from 24th May to 26th May 2011.  For more info, visit: www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com

Over coffee and croissants (a staple of Clerkenwell Design Week), Lulu talked through her inspiration for her debut piece, Be A Pin Up, and gave us a sneak preview of the stunning Clerkenwell Lips Clutch – a limited edition tribute to more fleeting installation.  Lulu’s Autumn/Winter 2011-12 collection continues the pinhead theme with a large studded leather bow handbag.

Be A Pin Up references the iconic office toy with a life-size pin art installation – an imposing pop up under the stunning arches at St John’s Gate.  We had a lot of fun squishing ourselve up to the pins and visitors to CDW can get involved and make their own full body portraits.

The ever glamorous and charming Lulu also got stuck in and showed us how it was done…

Strike some serious poses if you manage to visit Lulu’s Be A Pin Up installation and your creativity will be rewarded!  Lulu Guinness will be creating a gallery, of all the pin impressions sent in from visitors, on the Lulu Guinness Facebook page and the one with the most ‘likes’ will win The Clerkenwell Lips Clutch, worth £450!

To enter, send your best Be A Pin Up impressions to facebook@luluguinness.com.

Be A Pin Up will be at Clerkenwell Design Week until 26th May.

All photos by Chérie City.

Alice Vaughan and Harry Owen Jones, founders of Specs Gallery, have curated MEMO, a multi-disciplinary group show featuring 12 London-based visual artists.

Taking place in a disused office space adjacent to Old Street Underground Station, MEMO explores issues of place, scale and the urban environment and offers a fresh alternative to the conventional gallery space.

Established in January 2011, Specs Gallery is a Community Interest Company that acts as a springboard for emerging artists and graduates, offering exposure to more established galleries and the opportunity to exhibit and sell work.

MEMO takes place at 5th Floor, 211 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR, from 7th-14th May 2011.

All viewings by appointment.  To RSVP, visit www.specsgallery.com or email: info@specsgallery.co.uk

This new show from the most famous couple in art is not as bold, or as immediately beautiful, as some of their previous high-profile exhibitions. If you’re seeking the shock-factor of series such as the ‘Naked Shit Pictures’ you might be disappointed, but dig deep and there’s layer after layer beneath the mass-produced surfaces of ‘The Urethra Postcard Art of Gilbert and George’.

With 564 works piled high on the walls, and each featuring 13 postcards set out in exactly the same pattern, the exhibition is a tad daunting at first glance. From tourist shop views of Trafalgar Square to Union Jacks and the calling cards of gay or transgender sex workers, all the sets are laid out to form an angulated version of the sign of urethra, used by one-time theosophist C. W. Leadbetter (1853–1934) to accompany his signature.

The urethra carries semen out of men’s bodies and urine out of a female’s – production for some, and waste for others. And for me, this show is about the ebb and flow of the big city – the industry and consumption; the new and the redundant; the opportunities for anonymity and rebellious self-expression that exist simultaneously in places like London.

With health awareness messages next to patriotic chest-beating and rose-tinted views of historical landmarks, the show confronts us with hundreds of adverts.  But the deeper connection is in imagining the lives on the other side of the cards – the people that bought them, scrawled messages on the back or tried to forget their wife as they phoned that S&M sex-worker.

Having a quick chat with Gilbert & George at the private view were Tracey Emin; Stephen Fry; Jay Jopling; Bianca Jagger; Courtney Love; Alan Yentob; Pandemonia and Konrad Wyrebek.

You start to imagine possibilities. What’s happened to ‘Transsexual Linda new in town’? Is she still out there, or does she have a new name online or in another city?

Some of the cards had a more personal tug and I began to wonder how I pictured my own future – the times I crossed Oxford Street in the mid-nineties, when a so-garish-it’s-tropical image of blue sky and red Routemaster buses was produced.

Konrad Wyrebek and friend

For big city people with a little time to spare, a visit to White Cube Mayfair could get you closer to the chaos and diversity of a seemingly anonymous and ordered place.  Wish you were there?

Gilbert & George: The Urethra Postcard Art of Gilbert & George runs until 19 Feb 2011 at White Cube, Mason’s Yard.

Matthew Miles is a freelance arts and culture writer, photographer and video producer.  To see more of his work visit: www.matthewmilescreative.blogspot.com

The trio of illustrations are numbered and signed by Daisy and reflect her unique interpretation of the Kiss It Better appeal.

Daisy de Villeneuve has exhibited her felt-tip illustrations of kooky misfits and whimsical accessories all over the world and her many collaborations include a homeware range for TOPSHOP, a Christmas window display for Browns Focus, a set of candles for Liberty and most recently, textile design for Zac Posen’s Z Spoke SS11 collection.

In support of the Kiss It Better appeal, Clinique has also created a limited edition new Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss Set (£22.50), featuring four Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colours.

Juicy shades include Pink Me Up, Goodness Grapecious, Nude-tricious and Mango-thon – all neatly packed in a bold floral pink bag.

The Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss Set will be sold exclusively in House of Fraser stores nationwide during the month of February with £4 going to the Kiss It Better Appeal (£2 from Clinique and £2 from House of Fraser).

A £2 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipsticks or lip glosses sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide, throughout February 2011. (£1 from Clinique and £1 from House of Fraser).

100% of the sale of the Kiss It Better by Daisy de Villeneuve prints will go to the Kiss It Better appeal, part of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

The print will be available throughout the month of February at the following outlets: www.clinique.co.uk & www.gosh.org/shop