A few people have asked why I stopped writing the QPR spoofs last season. It wasn't anything to do with the football as I spent most of the year gobsmacked and saying 'you couldn't make this up'. But my main job (don't laugh!) is as an artist and a book has been published about me so that has kept me out of mischief.. Most of it is pretty academic and is written by an art critic, but there are loads of colour plates of my collages and sculptures made from found objects whilst living in Cornwall and West London. There is also a colourful and bawdy chapter about my gipsy ancestors and growing up into a family of rag and bone men in Notting Hill in the 1960's. And even a bit about my childhood QPR scrapbooks. The book also explains the Rebel Not Taken tag as one of my ancestors was involved in the attempt to overthrow the King in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. The book is called Bob Osborne Constructions and is written by Peter Davies. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Osborne...-1-catcorr&keywords=bob osborne constructions It is £15 on Amazon, but i am not looking to make any money out of it to fellow sufferers, so if anyone might be interested in getting their germans on a signed copy, they can pick one up from me in Chiswick for a fiver, or I can post it, or hand it over in the bogs at Ellerslie Road during half time. I have paypal and take credit cards or cash in claw. Will donate half of any proceeds to the Tiger Cubs. Straight back up this season you mark my words! U R's.....
Congratulations Rebel, that is really impressive. Any chance of putting up a few pictures so we can get a feel for your work?
Nice one Bob. I used to have the link to your website, could you post it again? Only 2 left on Amazon!
here's the link to my website www.robertosborne.org.uk lots of galleries which if you click on will display images will have a go at posting some in next few days cheers all
WOW !! Bob I'm so impressed (love the stencils) and definately want a copy of the book (signed of course ), Also are there any copies of the 'Waves 2001' print left ?? If so i'd like one of those as well if possible please. Let me know and i'll be in contact via your site, thanks.
Your sense of free spirit evokes memories of someone else who used to post on this board Bob. I'm so pleased for you that your book has at last been born. I can remember your post about the conception of your work and getting it into print. It was about eighteen months ago if I remember correctly. I look forward to purchasing it at full price and direct from you. I will stop by to do this if I may. Congratulations mate, I'm impressed.
Yeah, our own not606 QPR celeb! Ok, not exactly A list but really interesting work and I love the historical link in your moniker. Banksy, watch out!!
Nice one mate, you must be really proud. I will be purchasing your book in the not too distant. Have a friend who's an artist & have seen first hand the time effort & dedication it takes.
Congrats bob...That's a massive achievement. I don't pretend to know anything about (anything) art but I know how much work goes into making a book. my mate wrote 'grounds for divorce" Good luck to ya mate Shame we didn't know earlier as the other queenslandrangers has just got back from Uk and he could have picked us up a copy.
Bob, you mention being part of a family of rag and bone men in Notting Hill. back in the sixties there was a totter who looked just like Steptoe Jnr. long hair and cap complete with horse drawn cart. i am sure the charactor's looks were based on him. Anything to do with you?
It could well have been my one of my family as my dad had 10 brothers, and they were all totting and had horses in stables in Latimer Road. It could also be the Arnold family who were neighbours and provided the horse, called Hercules, for Steptoe and Son. All totters seemed to look like that as many of them had gipsy genes. There are some black and white photos in the book and on the website taken of my family by the street photographer Roger Mayne that really capture the time. There is a good group on facebook called Born in NHG that has loads of photos of those times.
Thanks for that. I probably met some of your family. we used to go to a pub in Latimer Rd. Sunday lunchtimes with my cousin who owned Portobello Hire. a manic few 2+ hours with the totters. in some ways good old days.
