Latest news with #MatthewClarke
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Like an IKEA Warehouse for the Art Crowd — Why the V&A's New, 'Self-Serve' East End Outpost Is Our Latest Obsession
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. It's not quite Night at the Museum, but the V&A's new opening of its storage facility — the V&A East Storehouse — is about as 'behind-the-scenes' as it gets. Located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, the storehouse stows over 250,000 artifacts and spans four stories over an area bigger than 30 basketball courts. It was created by New York-based architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro with the support of Austin-Smith:Lord with one goal: turning the storied institution's archive inside out. And boy, they have succeeded. Here, visitors can see the V&A's vast collection up close, without the usual glass barrier, making the freshly unveiled location, which opened to the public for the first time last weekend, one of the most exciting city additions for assiduous visitors of design exhibitions in London. To my surprise, the set-up feels genuinely transgressive; I almost gulp when I find myself eye to eye with a multi-hundred-year-old, gold-leafed saint. I ask Technical Manager Matthew Clarke — who supported the installation of the objects, including the seven-ton, 15th-century gilded wooden ceiling from Toledo's now-destroyed Altamira Palace, the Kaufmann Office, Frank Lloyd Wright's only complete interior outside of the US, and a stunningly preserved marble colonnade from 1600s India — whether he is concerned about people touching the very expensive, fragile works. "It is a worry because the V&A East Storehouse is something that's so 'not museum,'" he admits. "But it's giving people agency and trust, and I think that it will bring more ownership of the collection." Among the pieces collected here, his favorite one is a section of what was once Poplar's Robin Hood Gardens, a Brutalist residential complex designed by Alison and Peter Smithson in 1972, which, by the time its demolition started in 2017, housed over a thousand residents within its intricate, maze-like plan. "It was the first thing that came into the storehouse in 2021," Clarke recalls. "We installed that whilst the space was still a construction site." Now an integral part of the center's architecture and thought-provoking public program (visitors get to learn more about it and the stories of those who call it their home as they wander around the site), it is yet another proof of the V&A East Storehouse's efforts to democratize art, and take people along on that journey. The new Order an Object scheme goes one step further. Anyone may reserve up to five items from the collection and examine them in the storehouse's glass-walled workroom at the appointed time. The public appetite is huge; over 1500 objects and 300 appointments were booked in the first ten days since it started operating. Meanwhile, the queues outside of the sleek V&A East Storehouse building stretched nearly half of its silhouette over the opening weekend in a palpable, contagious manifestation of enthusiasm that bodes well for the future of the cultural hub. Image 1 of 6 Image 2 of 6 Image 3 of 6 Image 4 of 6 Image 5 of 6 Image 6 of 6 I am anything but surprised, and I am not alone, either. "Where else would you encounter suits of armor, Sage cloths, biscuit tins, building fragments, puppets, fizzles, chandeliers, and motorcycles in one place next to each other?" Diller Scofidio + Renfro's co-founder, Elizabeth Diller, jokingly asks. Tapped with the demanding task of doing justice to the eclecticism and vastness of the V&A's collection, the studio "decided to lean into the delirium about the strange taxonomies, the mediums, the wide variety of sizes, the myriad of materials, the broad range of geographies and historical periods" reunited among its ranks. Part brutalist industrial facility, part sci-fi-esque cabinet of curiosities, the result is, to say the least, transportative. In one moment, you feel moved by the plethora of masterpieces stacked up on the shelves all around you. The next, you'd bet it's you that's moving, as the glassy, checkered floors proceed to reveal what lies beneath your feet, as well as above you (vertigo sufferers, I warned you), starting from its cinematic first floor. A stern brow, wrinkled Roman soldier. Mesmerizing textiles stretching back to the dawn of time. A pair of latex hot pants manufactured in Derbyshire in 1992, and soon, an entire section centered around David Bowie's belongings, artistry, and life, are only a handful of the curiously fascinating pieces waiting to be observed at the V&A East Storehouse. The coolest thing about it yet? That its appeal doesn't stop there, because if you're hungry, the fun has only just begun. Feeding the crowds of foodie museum goers is London Fields' beloved independent café and pastry heaven, e5 Bakehouse, which opened within the V&A East Storehouse last week to coincide with its launch. The vibe here is, like for the rest of the location, joyful, colorful, and fun, without ever renouncing the irreverent, pioneering approach to art and design that has made the V&A a revered destination worldwide — let alone the freshest British produce and fragrant cakes, bread, and croissants. The brainchild of architecture studio Thing, the spot has instantly earned itself an entry in our next roundup of interiors-conscious cafés in London. It isn't hard to see why. Opening up to the public with a series of squashed square chairs in spring green, rust red, orange, and lime, with just as many Eames-style rocking ones placed in front of its panoramic window lookouts, e5 Storehouse unfolds into a sun-lit lounge section, followed by an airy, blooming-with-flowers dining area that, dotted in warm Douglas fir furniture and teeming with people, still retains its calm. Needless to say, coffee is fantastic, too, with all beans roasted in-house, ensuring your hot drink is not too sweet or frothy. The A Lel Chuang blend, named after the Rwandan village where it is ethically farmed, tastes deliciously tangy, with notes of cherry, mandarin, and caramel manifesting at every sip. The cherry on top, the bound-to-go-viral hangout even has a pastry exclusive to the V&A: a tart with a filling that changes seasonally. At the moment, it's a crunchy Nut Tart: a biscuity sourdough base stuffed with salted-caramel pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans. With the V&A East Museum due to open in spring 2026 minutes away from the Storehouse, we know where all gastronomy and arts enthusiasts will be mingling at. The V&A East Storehouse is now open in Stratford, London. Plan your visit.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clarke joins Ballymena after Livingston spell
Former Linfield defender Matthew Clarke has returned to the Irish Premiership with Ballymena United. The 31-year-old joins the Sky Blues after a year with Scottish Championship side Livingston. During his time with Livi, he helped the club return to the top-flight and won the Challenge Cup. Advertisement Clarke won five Gibson Cups, two Irish Cups, three League Cups and two County Antrim Shields during his 11 years with Linfield. He becomes Ballymena's second signing after striker Ryan McNickle, and boss Jim Ervin says the arrival of Clarke "is a big coup". "When a player of his calibre comes up, you'd be stupid not to be interested and after a few conversations, thankfully he thought here was the place for him," he told the club's website. "The experience he brings with him is huge from our point of view. Matthew can play a variety of positions, so it's huge for us with what we're looking to do."
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clarke joins Ballymena after Livingston spell
Former Linfield defender Matthew Clarke has returned to the Irish Premiership with Ballymena 31-year-old joins the Sky Blues after a year with Scottish Championship side his time with Livi, he helped the club return to the top-flight and won the Challenge won five Gibson Cups, two Irish Cups, three League Cups and two County Antrim Shields during his 11 years with becomes Ballymena's second signing after striker Ryan McNickle, and boss Jim Ervin says the arrival of Clarke "is a big coup"."When a player of his calibre comes up, you'd be stupid not to be interested and after a few conversations, thankfully he thought here was the place for him," he told the club's website."The experience he brings with him is huge from our point of view. Matthew can play a variety of positions, so it's huge for us with what we're looking to do."
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Wales Online
His partner thought she would die when he held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly
His partner thought she would die when he held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly 'I tried to kill myself three times over what he did to me and overdosed three times... I can't trust a man near me or even my own family' Matthew Clarke, 41, suffocated his partner by holding a pillow over her face and punching her repeatedly (Image: Gwent Police ) A woman was suffocated by her partner who held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly. The victim thought she was going to die and armed herself with a kitchen knife. Matthew Clarke, 41, assaulted his partner at her home in Tredegar on October 29 last year. He breached bail conditions after turning up at her house. While there he accused her of cheating on him and was physically abusive towards her to the point she took hold of a blade in order to protect herself. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday heard the defendant entered the victim's home at 1.30pm while she was showering and he was aggressive towards her. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter. He accused the victim of cheating and smashed her phone against a bathroom radiator before throwing it at her. Later that day, the victim was in bed and she told Clarke to leave but he picked up a can of cider and hit her to the head with it before drinking it. He then shook another can and opened it over her before also pouring another can over her. He claimed she owed him money and she responded by throwing a remote control at him. Article continues below Prosecutor Amelia Pike said Clarke returned to the victim's home at 10.30pm and he entered her bedroom where he was shouting and aggressive towards her. How to access free domestic abuse helplines in Wales If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email info@ or go to Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women's Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs. The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999. The defendant continued to accuse her of being unfaithful, which she denied. The victim told him to leave her alone and said if he hit her again "that would be the last". Clarke responded by beginning to strike her multiple times to her face and body using both hands. He then got on top of the victim and straddled her arms before grabbing a pillow and holding it over her face. The defendant did this on three or four occasions for minutes at a time and the victim could feel blows from him punching the pillow. She was unable to breathe and feared she was going to die. Eventually, Clarke stopped and said he wanted a cigarette and told the victim he "loved and hated her". Ms Pike said the victim was "frozen in pain and in shock". He hit her again and she got out of bed, saying she was going to sleep in the living room, but he said if she did she would "get another beating". The victim went to the kitchen and retrieved a kitchen knife. The defendant asked her if she was going to stab him or come back to bed. She told Clarke to let her go and called for help from the doorway. A neighbour had called the police in relation to an unrelated matter and despite the defendant trying to prevent her from shouting, she was heard by officers who came to the door and arrested the attacker. Samaritans details You can contact the Samaritans for non-judgmental advice 24/7, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@ They also have an online chat service and a self-help app, or you can write them a letter for free at Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS The victim, who suffered a black eye and bruising, told the court in her victim personal statement that she "thought she was going to die" when the defendant suffocated her. She added: "I started having flashbacks and when I walked out the flat I never went back to the property. I couldn't sleep because I thought he was going to get me again or kill me. As a result of flashbacks of Matt harming me I went to my mother's in a different area to stay with her. "I am suffering with problems with my mental health and flashbacks of what happened that night with Matt. I tried to kill myself three times over what he did to me and overdosed three times... I can't trust a man near me or even my own family. "I see doubles of Matt everywhere I go and I'm completely still with fear. I don't want to go out anymore and get nervous when men are behind me. I don't see friends or even my brother as often as I used to as I don't want to go outside." Clarke, of Market Street, Tredegar, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage. The court heard the defendant had 19 previous convictions, including five offences against the person including assault occasioning actual bodily harm for which he received a suspended sentence order he is now in breach of. Article continues below In mitigation, Gareth Williams said his client had a "difficult upbringing and childhood" and as an adult he suffered with alcoholism and homelessness. Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Clarke to a total of two years and 10 months imprisonment, and made him subject to a restraining order for 10 years.
