This recent show of Rana Begum‘s at Kate MacGarry deals with space and light using her trademark abstract minimalism. Begum uses the slanting structure of vents as her point of exploration. These sculptures look so light and delicate, the colour tints moving from pale to strong as they approach the ground. Can you believe that […]
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.
The Charterhouse in London. Post 2 of 2. The interior.
I had the impression of stepping back in time walking around The Charterhouse, this active and thriving community in the centre of London. The almshouse offers independent communal living with support for over 40 “Brothers”, the name given to both male and female residents. It was originally a Christian organisation but all faiths may live […]
The Charterhouse in London. Post 1 of 2. The exterior.
You may have heard the name The Charterhouse before, even walked into Charterhouse Square, but visiting this place in the centre of London was a revelation to me. I was staggered to find this calm and peaceful haven between The Barbican and Smithfield Market. A friend of mine moved into the community recently and kindly […]
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers. National Gallery London. Post 2 of 2.
Much as I love colour (see my previous post) the key for me lies in drawing. In this post I look at some of the drawings in this landmark Van Gogh exhibition at The National Gallery. I mentioned the mark-making last week. See how this tree has a definite Art Nouveau feel about it. Look […]
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers at The National Gallery London. Post 1 of 2.
Ah, everyone loves Van Gogh, one of the most covetable dead artists around. Except I don’t. Love all his work I mean. I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is. Having said that I have grown to admire and appreciate his work over the decades. This blockbuster exhibition marks 200 years of the National […]
Mourning Marsyas: Marlene Dumas at Frith Street Gallery
I wouldn’t call myself a fangirl but I do make the effort to see anything by Marlene Dumas. Mourning Marsyas is an exhibition of her recent paintings at Frith Street Gallery. It’s worth learning about the story of Marsyas to appreciate the artist’s theme. The tone is of grief and loss which felt odd at […]
Strasbourg Cathedral
This blog is about things I find interesting: mostly exhibitions but also places. The cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg is one such place. Sites of worship fascinate me as they are such repositories of positive energy; I can feel it as soon as I enter. At my first visit to the city I was […]
Serge Saunière & Jean-Pierre Bréchet at Galerie Akié Arichi Paris
I was very grateful that the gallerist Akié Arichi let me take these quick photos before the private view of this exhibition when I came across it on a recent trip to Paris. L’Ecriture et la Peinture is a pairing of two very different artists who both use ink, acrylic and paper. Serge Saunière‘s work […]
Sosa Joseph. Pennungal: Lives of women and girls at David Zwirner, London
Pennungal: Lives of women and girls is the first solo London show by Keralan artist Sosa Joseph, currently at David Zwirner London. Frequently called God’s own country because of its beauty, this part of India can seem idyllic but dark currents lie beneath. Joseph paints memories from growing up in Kerala (one of the most […]
Anthony McCall: Solid Light at Tate Modern
This exhibition at Tate Modern contains a handful of pieces by Anthony McCall who creates “solid light” artworks blurring the boundaries of sculpture, cinema and drawing. There is a magical quality to these light sculptures which you want to see from the inside as well as from outside. Their combination of transparency and solidity encourages […]