“Nova Scotia House” by Charlie Porter
“Nova Scotia House” by Charlie Porter arrives Monday 17th March at Dover Street Market and on the DSML E-SHOP.
Charlie Porter shares insights with Dover Street Market about his longstanding relationship with the store and his connection to the late, legendary Judy Blame.
“One of the first ever pieces I bought from Dover Street Market was by Judy Blame. It was 2005, when DSM was opened in the original Dover Street. The basement had the same energy as the basement today: intentional chaos. Judy affectionally called the store Bend Over Street Market. His pieces were under the stairs, in a space he designed himself. I couldn’t believe I got to buy his work.”
“I bought an oversized pin, from which hangs a folded square of wool bouclé, attached to which is a trailing trove of bits and bobs. I still have it and wear it today. Let me describe it to you. Various buttons dominate the front and back of the cloth, one nautical with an anchor, another a faux pearl circled with faux gold chain. On the side is attached a golden metal bird in flight, from which comes a chain. There’s a chain of diamente, a flattened champagne muselet, Jesus nailed to a cross, and a toy medal depicting Benito Juárez, the first indigenous president of Mexico.”
“There are chains and chains and chains dangling long and then, at the bottom centre, a crown, placed to sit over the head of a toy skeleton, its joints are loose, held by rings, so that it jerks about. It is elemental and clever and funny and transcendent.”
“A photograph of Judy Blame appears on the cover of my new novel, Nova Scotia House. It was taken by the artist Nicola Tyson in 1983. They were wandering about in London, and went down to the foreshore of the Thames at low tide. They started mudlarking, scavenging for bits and bobs. With Judy in the photo is John Moore, the shoemaker who would found the House of Beauty and Culture. Nicola told me that it was the first time Judy had ever been down to the foreshore.”
“The photo encapsulates the energy of the novel, which is about reconnecting with lost queer philosophies and alternative ways of living. Judy and the House of Beauty and Culture were huge inspirations for the characters, story and sensibility of Nova Scotia House. Can we regrow communities which learn from the humanity, humility, generosity and conviction of Judy and his like? That is why I wrote the novel.”
To mark the release of "Nova Scotia House", Dover Street Market will host an exclusive in-conversation with Steven Stokey-Daley, alongside a reading by Charlie Porter, on Monday 17th March from 7:30pm – 9:00pm.
To attend the event, please register your interest below.
Tickets are limited and will be allocated at random. Successful applicants will be notified on Monday 17th March.
Thank you for your understanding!