One-minute blog of interesting things

So, part two of the Cornelia Parker show at Tate Britain begins with another installation: Perpetual Canon. Parker was invited to create a piece for a circular space and thought of music. This evolved into a lack of sound, a “mute marching band, frozen breathlessly in limbo”. While the brass instruments are squashed, their shadows […]

I’ve been a big fan of Cornelia Parker from the beginning of her career and this show at Tate Britain is a treat. Parker explores connections between objects and experiences, offering commentary on our world. She has extraordinary curiosity allied with humour and pathos. Her art is often very beautiful and skilfully produced, something I […]

You really have to see Andreas Gursky’s photographs in the flesh to get the full impact. Many of them are very large, a technical feat in itself but the thing that staggers me is the fact that every detail, no matter where it is, is in focus; the opposite of how our eyes work. The […]

In an ongoing process of discovery here’s yet another artist whose oeuvre is more interesting once you find out more about them. I’m stating now that I won’t cover his nudes here as they are a whole other story, remaining controversial, even today. Look them up or visit the exhibition to see what I mean. […]

The Edge of Reality, a recent exhibition of Jake Wood-Evans at Unit Gallery develops his contemporary take on some of the Western historical painting traditions. His paintings use work by a well-known artist including Joshua Reynolds or John Singer Sargent as the starting point then he scrapes away, blurs and paints something which, whilst retaining […]

I love surprises and this was most definitely one of them so thanks to my friend for suggesting this visit. John Kørner is a Danish artist whose work is delicious and seductive while raising uncomfortable questions. I delighted in the colour and techniques yet also felt a bit guilty about the subject matter. His concerns […]

This exhibition, Kyōsai: The Israel Goldman Collection, currently on at the Royal Academy, was a real eye-opener for me as I had never heard of him before. Working in the19th century he witnessed Japan’s exposure to the outside world after centuries of isolation. Such a cultural shock must have been massive and we can thank […]

There’s an awful lot to take in at Louise Bourgeois: The Woven Child exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. This marvellous show looks at one aspect of Bourgeois’ oeuvre which is huge in itself so I’ve focussed on just some pieces here, mainly heads. It’s worth noting the way she shapes the mouths as well as […]