My Blog

David Hockney Exhibition London

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:15:43 +0000

I loved it. What a wonderful, cheer you up, exhibition. He’s called it “A Bigger Picture” and that’s just what it is. In size and conception.
When so much doom and gloom is in the papers and on the news this was a joy.

The exhibition is BIG but it was almost overwhelming and I’m trained at looking. About half way through I felt like I needed my sunglasses, someone next to me said if they turned the lights out the paintings would still be luminous and I agreed. This is not an exhibition for the faint hearted or those who like a subtle palette.

I love Hockney’s experiments with space and viewpoint and the sheer scale of the paintings. You really feel like you are in a wood standing under a tree. I wanted to hear birdsong and if it had been my exhibition I would have had sound as well.

Just when I thought I couldn't take much more, I entered a big room full of about fifty paintings and thought “oh no this is too big”. Then I realised they were the IPad paintings. So I sat down, had a rest and carried on looking. Brilliant. I say paintings because it’s just another medium to make marks with and I’m very excited by it. Don't think I’ll be dropping the paint but this is a whole new ball game. One where you can beam your work worldwide immediately.

Thank heavens for the video work at the end because you can sit down and have a lovely rest looking at trees and hedgerows. I sat for at least 20 minutes, watched from start to finish and loved every second.

The only ones that I wasn't sure about were the “Sermon on the Mount” paintings. But too be honest I’ll have a better look at those another time. It was too much to have a change of direction for me at that point. I couldn't get my head round them.

Personally I’m so thankful that a major British artist has filled the Royal Academy with contemporary landscapes and has professed loud and clear that he loves nature and observing it. Hooray!!

The landscape has been a genre that the art establishment and the powers that be have looked down on for at least a couple of decades. Favouring conceptualism, unmade beds, spots, much self agonising and things that make you feel generally uncomfortable. Now don’t get me wrong I like some of those things they’ve had their time and place but I do hope now we can move on or even allow some of this sort of genre to be taught. In fact I also went to the Saatchi Gallery and felt the exhibits to look somewhat old hat after seeing Hockney.

Enough from me for now and anyway I have to get on with practising my drawing on my IPad.

Brendan Neiland - Private View

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:29:07 +0100

On to the main event of the day, a private view of work by Brendan Neiland. Robert and I were invited by De Montfort University as Brendan is also an Alumini of De Montfort. I loved the exhibition and it was great to hear Brendan talk about his work and get to meet him properly. The paintings were very bright and vibrant reflections on buildings and water a subject that I paint a lot. I laughed at myself because my outfit matched the paintings, honestly I had no idea what they would be like.
It is lovely to see another artists work especially when you are moved by the same things. Of course the work was very different to mine and that’s the wonderful thing about art. My whole day today seemed to revolve around colour and light. From the rainbow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery to Andy Gifford to Degas to Brendan Neiland. An amazing day.

Then to top it off on to the Chelsea Arts Club for dinner. I had never been there you have to be invited by a member, so it was a very special invite. The club was founded by Whistler in 1891 and the walls inside are covered by works of art. I would have loved to look properly but a long day and a few glasses of wine were now beginning to take their toll. The meal was excellent and I sat next to Brendan Neiland so the poor chap got lots of questions as you can imagine.

More Photos on the photo page.

The John Martin Gallery & Degas at the Royal Academy

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:04:08 +0100

From Whitechapel over to Green Park on route to the Royal Academy. I fell into
The John Martin Gallery on Albermarle St. Brilliant, another of my favourite painters on show, Andrew Gifford. I love his paintings, the colours and light effects and the way he applies paint. I looked and looked. I’m lucky enough to own one of his small paintings, how I would love a big one sometime.

Then on to the Degas at the Ballet Exhibition. I enjoyed it, but I’d seen a lot before. I love the ballerina paintings and am always happy to look. The movement and photography was interesting because I didn’t know much about this bit. Not rushing back though.
A good video outline on the website.
www.royalacademy.org.uk/Degas

A Very Busy Day in London

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:26:20 +0100

First stop the Whitechapel Gallery, I had never been before as it’s a bit off the beaten track, but in fact easy to find, just out of the Aldgate East Tube Station.
Go, it’s worth it. I’d gone to see the Rothko Exhibition. Rothko is one of my favourite painters, I was disappointed. Only one painting on show, although there were some lovely letters relating to Rothkos visit to the Uk and his exhibition at the Whitechapel in 1961. However in looking for more Rothko I found some other excellent exhibitions.

The rest of the rambling gallery was a revelation and I enjoyed it immensely.
1) A rainbow exhibition curated by Cornelia Parker from the Government Art Collection. I loved it and as I read the catalogue during my lunch in the excellent little restaurant, what should appear on my page but a reflected rainbow - spooky.
2) Wilhelm Sasnal, paintings. Stark work, but they held me transfixed. Personally from this I learnt to remember that less is more. Some amazing light effects simply made. Of course there is a lot more a curator could waffle on about.
3) The Bloomberg Commission: Josiah McElheny: The Past Was A Mirage I Had Left Far Behind. Video work projected onto glass sculptures. Great see the galley video.

If you want more go to
http://www.whitechapelgallery.org/
Some good videos - shame they’ve not cottoned on to putting smaller video files online yet. Good though, worth the wait. Better still go.

Meeting Peter Blake at Icons, Perceptions & Metaphors

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:28:26 +0100

Last night I was very excited to meet Sir Peter Blake, Brendan Neiland and Brad Faine at the private view of Icons, Perceptions, Metaphors at The New Walk Museum Leicester. Until 16th October. I’m not normally an autograph hunter but this time was an exception, when he signed my exhibition brochure - which is now pinned up proudly in my studio. A very interesting talk from the three artists followed a mosy enjoyable evening.