In this second post I continue my highly personal selection from some of the galleries at the London Art Fair. I make a point of always looking at the art first, only reading labels afterwards. It means I avoid the unconscious prejudice that can happen and provides the odd surprise as mentioned in my previous […]
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. Email me at info@carolinebanks.co.uk with your name and email to receive a weekly post that only takes 1 minute to read.
London Art Fair. Post 1 of 2
The first UK art fair of the season, the London Art Fair, is one I really look forward to visiting, particularly as January is so miserable. The range of work on show is broad and always of a high quality. This time I decided to photograph pieces that appealed to me as a collector so […]
Daniel Hosego: The Poison Drinkers at James Freeman Gallery
The Poison Drinkers is the title of Daniel Hosego‘s latest solo show at James Freeman Gallery. Drawing on the styles of Albrecht Dürer and Hieronymus Bosch to comment on the world of today, his work is packed with contemporary and classical references. The titles also give you a clue… And yes, these are all hand […]
Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Florence, c. 1504 at the Royal Academy. Post 1 of 2.
This show brings together the 3 Renaissance giants: Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael who came to work in Florence for a short period of time. Leonardo (the eldest) and Michelangelo were both from Florence. Raphael, a much younger man, had come to learn from them as well as prove himself in what was the artistic capital […]
Drawn to Blue. Courtauld Gallery
This small exhibition, Drawn to Blue: Artists’ use of Blue Paper at the Courtauld Gallery in London, explores the history of using a blue background for drawing. Originating in Venice, blue paper gave the artist an instant mid-tone enabling them to work on light and shade. Most of the papers have faded to grey over […]
Sedrick Chisom: The Villain of History for One Night Alone at Pilar Corrias gallery.
In his show at Pilar Corrias Conduit Street, Sedrick Chisom uses coarsely woven fabric stapled to a frame as his painting surface. That softness and irregularity reminded me of the bark fabric used by his contemporary Michael Armitage. His imagined alternative universe references imagery from the American Civil War. Reading the text below gives context […]
Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy. Post 2 of 2.
So this is what I was expecting from Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy: massive doses of strong colour. Look at how he has integrated some of his staple images into the classical architecture. Fabulous. Everyday and anonymous objects take on a new importance when recoloured and expanded. I liked the visual game on this […]
Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy. Post 1 of 2.
There was so very much more in this show, Michael Craig-Martin at the Royal Academy than I’d expected, hence the 2 blog posts. I was only familiar with the artist’s bright coloured pieces which you’ll see in the second post. I was completely unaware of Craig-Martin‘s earlier work, influenced by Marcel Duchamp. Seeing this helped […]
Tracy Emin at White Cube
The more I see of Tracey Emin and her work, the more I admire her. Her art, yes, but also her commitment to the future of art in this country. This solo exhibition titled I followed you till the end was at White Cube Bermondsey which I visited a couple of times. Emin paints with […]
Strands, an ArtCan show Downstairs at The Department Store in Brixton.
This post is different as I’m including my work, not just other people’s. Strands was an ArtCan member group show held at The Department Store in Brixton and sponsored by Suna Interior Design. I had 3 pieces selected by the curators: Harmonic Drift (shadows are integral to these Drifts hence the detail shot below) and […]