iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Highly recommend ‘Please Please Me’, a play about Brian Epstein and his relationship with John Lennon at the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn. Special mention to Cilla! On until 29th May if you can still get tickets.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

‘One Day in Berwick Street’ painting - part of the ‘One Off’ group show at Candid Gallery in Angel, London. Acrylic on canvas 36x48 inches £600 On until 31st May with late viewing with bar Thursday 28th May 6-10pm. Open every day 12-6pm.

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

‘Between Worlds’ painting as part of the Spring Salon group show at Candid Gallery, Angel. This is the biggest painting I’ve done so far. The show is on until 26th April (12-6pm). Some beautiful works there, do visit. Acrylic on canvas 36 x 48 inches ⚓️

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

On this tomorrow from 6pm on Resonance FM with fab Debsey Wykes and lovely Piney Gir hosting. Tune in!

100

Reposted by Gemma O’Brien

Helen Barrett @helenbarrett.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Excited to talk about this — finally — and to be working with Pan Macmillan. Better do some work.

2215125

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Painting by John Wilson McCracken (1975-77) from ‘The Weight of Being’ exhibition at Two Temple Place.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Showing a couple of recent paintings at Candid Gallery in Angel - opens Thursday evening.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Screening of ‘Gas Food Lodging’ + Q+A at the ICA with writer and director Allison Anders who I had the pleasure of meeting last weekend. She is back there tomorrow evening for a screening of her film ‘Mi Vida Loca’. You should go!

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Kenji Yoshida: The Meaning of Life at October Gallery until 11th April. V interesting talk about Yoshida who became as artist after being conscripted into a kamikaze squadron in the army aged 19 in Japan. His art is a reaction to this experience. Well worth a visit.

110

Reposted by Gemma O’Brien

Billy Bragg @billybragg.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Good to see the principle that no one is above the law is being upheld in the UK, but take note of the fact that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not been arrested because of the harm he may have done to girls, but because of the harm he may have done to profits

31655177

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

bsky.app/profile/will... …and Patrica Hodge.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Dawson’s Creek was my post school TV show in the 90s during A Levels. :( That and My So Called Life. 48 is no age.

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Fantastic lecture this evening at Gresham by Antony Penrose (Lee Miller’s son). www.youtube.com/live/SJzG93o...

youtube.com

Lee Miller's Indelible Images - Antony Penrose

YouTube video by Gresham College

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Ideal exhibition for today ‘Painting Light’ by Danish artist Anna Ancher (1859-1935) at Dulwich Picture Gallery - one of the Skagen Artists and also one of few non-forgotten women painters of her time.

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Post a pic of the venue where you saw your first concert and the band or artist. Milton Keynes Bowl - I was 13 and my mum saddled my friend and I with about six shopping bags of food in case we got hungry.

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Would anybody like my ticket for the Foyles Bowie Day (Charing Cross Rd) tomorrow (10th Jan)? I can no longer go. Happy to give FoC rather than waste the ticket. @improbableatlas.bsky.social is chairing the panels so will be an enlightening day! Details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bowie-day-...

eventbrite.co.uk

Bowie Day Festival at Foyles

This January, Foyles Charing Cross Road will be hosting a Bowie Day Festival to mark a decade since the death of the legendary artist

102

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

I’ve read a page of this most mornings over the last 8 months and I’ve found it an inspiring way to start the day. I’ve only ever taken one Tai Chi class yet enjoyed it. I bought this after going to see Laurie Anderson in Manchester last year (she finished the gig with an audience Tai Chi moment).

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Still time for me to get to the post office to send you these A5 notebooks (set of 3) with covers illustrated by me including Maison Margiela and Saint Laurent. They make for original and affordable Christmas presents! gemma-obrien-artworks.myshopify.com/products/fas...

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Got Lauren Bacall’s memoir ‘By Myself and Then Some’ from the library and couldn’t put it down. A wonderful read - an antidote to the short days. Going to watch Bacall and Bogie films for the rest of the winter.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

R.I.P. Pam Hogg. It was always a memorable time drawing backstage and watching her shows in the last couple of years. I’m glad I went to her final installation and had a chat with her; she was always friendly. She did things her way no matter what was in the way. Thinking of all who knew her well.🤍

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

@danielrachel.bsky.social joined by Billy Bragg in conversation with Miranda Sawyer at Rough Trade East discussing Daniel’s book ‘This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll - Pop Music, the Swastika and the Third Reich. A very open and candid discussion. Thanks to Daniel and all.

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Paolo Carzana and Maison Margiela S/S ‘24 featuring at the ‘Dirty Looks’ exhibition at The Barbican.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

Gary Numan on home turf in Hammersmith playing the Telekon album. Synth heaven. We also got to hear ‘Down in the Park’. V emotional gig for him after losing his brother a few days ago.

020

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

A fave from today’s trot around the National Gallery. Jacob van Oost the Elder’s ‘Portrait of a Boy Aged 11’ (1650).

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

The blue dot is an addition by an unknown person. A sort of beauty spot. Procured from the book shelf at St. Bride’s. Elizabeth didn’t seem to lament the loss of poor scarf-wearing George much!

010

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

Great talk by Malcolm Garrett at St. Bride’s Foundation last night - taking a refreshingly critical eye on his early record sleeve design work. Here, a cover for The Polecats, as well The Members, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Visage and loads more.

100

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Halloween season reading. Lots about the supposed Highgate Vampire plus some interesting background about Bram Stoker. Also the less common vampire bat regurgitate some of its meal to not only feed their immediate clan but also other bats who are strangers.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Joined here with my lovely niece Yasmine at the opening of a photo exhibition ‘Photo Album of the Irish: England’ celebrating the stories of 25 families of which ours was one at the @londonirishcentre in Camden.

410

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Moving and joyful evening at the launch of @danielrachel.bsky.social brave new book that delves into the motives behind why musicians have flirted with problematic fascist imagery. Great discussion between Susie MacDonald and Daniel and beautiful music by the Oysland Klezmer Quartet.

052

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

I really enjoyed this novel. Brilliantly crafted characters and the careful attention given to the story was very satisfying. Very amusing in parts too.The mix of post-war Eastend characters with those who are considered culturally ‘high brow’ communing and finding soul-ties in a classless utopia.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Wordle 1,590 6/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Not keen on this 3 day 6-try streak 😨

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Church Row, Hampstead yesterday evening. One of my favourite streets in London.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

More watery wordy adventures via Albert Durer and Thomas Mann in ‘Albert and the Whale’ by Philip Hoare.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Bought this book about the Blitz club after seeing the exhibition at the Design Museum which was v good! An invigorating and uplifting read as well as realistic. Particularly liked his breakdown of were New Romantics Thatcherites - a view that Dylan Jones subscribes too. He argues absolutely not.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

I enjoyed this book - I returned it to the library before I could take a picture - An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth. This is Chris Hadfield the astronaut who sang ‘Starman’ in space. Lots of wise words. A memorable read.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Southwark Cathedral Sunday eve. Sermon denouncing politicians who appeal to the baser instincts of humans.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Lots of interesting and progressive ideas in this book (1996) - a written conversation between the authors. Interesting to consider (not talked about in this book) how Christianity has been used by the Far Right to promote insidious ideas, most of which have very little to do with Christianity.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

And for something entirely different, the materialist Christopher Hitchens’ autobiography. Not difficult to imagine what his stance would be today about the Middle East.

020

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Attended a talk recently by Rupert Sheldrake. This is one of his more recent books. He talks of ‘morphic resonance’ an unconfirmed theory of collective memory as well as more tangible ideas of collective singing and walking to name a few things.

000

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Richard Rogers at Sir John Soane’s museum.

001

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

40 years of ‘Hounds of Love’ by Kate Bush. Listening to it this evening at the Horse Hospital made me realise how contemporary it still sounds and what a feat it was for a woman to write and produce her own music in the mid 80s.

131

Gemma O’Brien @gemma-i-obrien.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Suede at the RFH on Sunday. Brett came to say hello to us in row D … and the rest of the auditorium to the chagrin of security. Great gig. Lovely to hear To the Birds and a piano version of The Asphalt World.

010