Black Chapel by artist Theaster Gates is this year’s Serpentine pavilion which I visited on a scorchingly hot day, one of too many in London this summer. The dark interior was a welcome respite from the intense glare and heat. A simple circular structure, the main space is for congregation and reflection, exactly like a […]
One-minute blog of interesting things
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As a working contemporary artist I visit many exhibitions and shows, but sometimes it is the things I see that are part of daily life that capture my interest. My one-minute blog of interesting things reflects the fact that although we are increasingly time-poor, there is creativity all around us.
Georg Baselitz at the Pompidou Centre, Paris
Whist not a fan of Georg Baselitz in the past, this huge retrospective at the Pompidou Centre in Paris back in February gave me much more insight into his practice. I’ve now been converted to admirer. Being able to see his creative journey, not only in time but also in different media really helped put […]
Les Archives de France, Paris. Post 2 of 2
Still at Les Archives de France but on to the museum itself. Seeing the originals of so many incredibly significant documents made my head spin. The only drawing of Joan of Arc? (photo above). It’s perhaps just the idea of her – we will never know. The Edict of Nantes below; Marie Antoinette’s last letter […]
Les Archives de France, Paris. Post 1 of 2
You can’t beat a beautiful Parisian interior and those at les Archives de France are no exception. Best thing is, they and the museum itself (in my next post) are free to visit! The Hôtel de Soubise is in Le Marais. I was fortunate to go early in the day when no-one else was around […]
Milton Avery at the Royal Academy
This exhibition, currently on at the Royal Academy, introduced me to Milton Avery, an artist I was unfamiliar with. He apparently influenced the Abstract Expressionists, particularly Rothko so I was keen to learn more. I did find it a bit of struggle at times but focussed looking always brings rewards: his physical manipulation of paint […]
Roni Horn at La Bourse de Commerce in Paris
Having some work in a show in Paris was the main reason for my recent visit. I never go anywhere, however, without seeing some art and this time introduced a friend to the wonders of la Bourse de Commerce. The building is so uplifting , even without the art inside. This time I was delighted […]
The Hop, outdoor sculpture on the South Bank
I love coming across outdoor art when least expecting to and this piece, The Hop, by Jyll Bradley was no exception. Picking hops in Kent was a seasonal agricultural activity, a summer holiday for working class families until the early 1960s. It was hard physical work but far from the dirt of London and somewhere […]
Raphael at the National Gallery
Revisiting the Raphael exhibition at the National Gallery confirmed my admiration of his work, especially the portraits, mainly displayed in the final room. I find Raphael somewhat intimidating – he’s so perfect and revered – but the painting of his friend Baldassare Castiglione is winningly affectionate and engaging. Those blue eyes are incredible. Raphael’s skill […]
Wit, humour and pathos in Highgate Cemetery
Time for a change of pace this week and photos from a walk in Highgate cemetery . Yes, the place is full of the great and good but some gravestones caught my eye for different reasons. Were the tombstones and plots pre-planned by the person buried there or designed by the family/ friends/ admirers of […]
Feminine Power at the British Museum. The Divine to the Demonic.
Feminine power: the divine to the demonic, currently on at the British Museum in London, gives a historical overview of the range of female deities, goddesses and spirits of reverence. From 5,000 year old female statues to Kiki Smith’s Lilith the strength of feminine power is explored across time and culture. Women are the givers […]
