About

Look around, listen closely for sounds, find joy in the feelings and details that arise. NOW Gallery has invited designers Common Exception and Coco Lom to present a series of workshops exploring connection and collage, to coincide with John Booth X CAN’s exhibition Up in Smoke.

Common Exception and Coco Lom are colour and pattern lovers, sharing a love for finding awe – those moments that connect us to the surrounding world. Designed for all stages and abilities, this workshop series encourages visitors to celebrate these quiet but mighty moments and experience a sense of joy, calm and creativity through collage.

Walk + Awe will take participants on an ‘awe walk’ around Greenwich Peninsula, exploring the Design District's unique buildings, landscaping and hidden corners, and drawing in response. On return to NOW Gallery, amidst John Booth X CAN’s Up in Smoke exhibition, create a series of collages inspired by the shapes and colours encountered, guided by Coco Lom and Common Exception.

In Music + Awe, draw and collage in response to a live DJ set in celebration of London Design Festival. Experience the soothing quality of music in a series of exercises led by Common Exception and Coco Lom, learning how music influences their creative practices as designers and neurodiverse women. Listen to a variety of music styles and explore how different rhythms inspire unique marks and lines, creating your own collage artwork.

* All materials will be provided. The paper offcuts used in this workshop will be supplied by G. F. Smith.

About Common Exception
Common Exception is a South East London design studio founded by Louisa Tan. Their mission is to share joy and bring people together. Working on both small and large-scale projects, from branding to large-scale public realm, Common Exception hosts regular collage workshops on joy, mindfulness and creativity.

About Coco Lom
Coco Lom has been recognised as one of London’s rising talents by Dezeen. Her multi-disciplinary work mixes bold colours and playful abstract pattern which has been featured across many different mediums, including murals, clothing and interiors. She has been commissioned by clients including Disney, Covent Garden, Holland & Barrett and has been profiled in It’s Nice That, Creative Review and Creative Boom.