'Best Budgerigar & Foreign Bird Competition' & 'Jayne Amongst the Birds' an exhibition by Susanna Edwards and Luke Stephenson

In 1959 locals were thrilled when the glamorous film star Jayne Mansfield presented the prizes at the the 'Best Budgerigar & Foreign Bird Competition' at All Saints' Hall in Haggerston. In May, Susanna Edwards will be recreating the event!

Susanna Edwards is an artist, designer and senior lecturer at London Metropolitan University and has also taught at Central Saint Martins College of Art. She is known for her diverse and innovative approach to the practice of art, design and illustration, spanning traditional and digital approaches.

The event is being re-created in response to a story from Iain Sinclair's forthcoming documentary fiction 'Hackney, That Rose-Red Empire.' Susanna has secured the same venue and will be styled as Mansfield for the re-enactment on 10th May. The event aims to bring the community together in a celebration of all things budgerigar and raise money for the church.

The competition is not professional and is open to every Hackney based resident who owns a bird. The judges will be Iain Sinclair, a British writer and film-maker, Edwards and Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkinson of All Saints' Church. There will be a general celebration of the budgerigar on the day with a village fete inspired by the birds. Many local designers will be involved in the event, including Tatty Devine , who will design special limited edition budgie related jewellery and will also design the rosettes for the winning birds.

Photographer Luke Stephenson, already renowned for his work with budgies, will collaborate with Edwards in order to photographically document the event. The work will then be shown in June at an exhibition in the gallery space at Tatty Devine's Brick Lane boutique. The exhibition will also include other budgie related paraphernalia from the fete from contributors including Prick Your Finger.

Best Budgerigar & Foreign Bird Competition

All Saints' Church Hall, Livermere Rd, Haggerston, London E8. Saturday 10th May, 1pm-5pm (birds and owners arrive at 10.30am for a photography session).

For further information or to confirm attendance please contact Susanna - mail@susannaedwards.com.

'Jayne Amongst the Birds' an exhibition by Susanna Edwards and Luke Stephenson

Private view - Tatty Devine, 236 Brick Lane, London. E2 7EB. 26th June 2008, 6pm-9pm Exhibition - Tatty Devine, 27th June to 17th August, 11am-6pm everyday.

For further information please contact Emma Doyle at Tatty Devine on 020 7739 9191 or email press@tattydevine.com. And check our website for updates on the event and jewellery competions at www.tattydevine.com