April 4, 2012
Filed under: Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 10:52 am
The free exhibition space at the Barbican is called the Curve and a recent exhibition that has been put on there might leave visitors feeling as if they have accidentally stepped into a storage area that should be off-limits.
Modern art installations have made people somewhat aware of art that looks more like a collection of random objects, but this latest collection goes beyond what has been seen in the past.
In this installation there are a wide variety of different objects including discarded toys, washing-up bowls, and plastic bottle tops. One of the greatest puzzles is the collection of empty toothpaste tubes which have remained a part of the installation since it was first put together in 2005.
The installation was put together by Song Dong, the Chinese artist who has called the collection Waste Not. Dong was born in Beijing and has exhibited work all around the world. His works are very varied in range from sculptures and paintings, to video art. This collection of objects at the Curve is his first show that he has ever put together for the UK.
There are 10,000 objects in the collection and most of them are very small. They are the sorts of things that clutter up homes, such as used up ballpoint pens, strange food containers, and broken crockery.
Some of the objects in the collection, such as the toothpaste tubes, could have been returned for money, and it is likely this is why the collection built up. However, as is often the case with these things, the objects were never returned. The items have all come from China, however this does not mean that they will be unrecognisable to a Western audience. You are sure to recognise some items as you walk around the exhibition.
April 2, 2012
Filed under: Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 6:37 pm
Sheep set to create unique portrait of the Queen
A moving portrait of the Queen, that literally moves, will be achieved on the Malvern Hills thanks to 200 sheep. Will Halford is a performance artist and sheep farmer, and will work with his flock, with the assistance of a few sheep dogs, as part of the Worcestershire Art Trail that is to be held over 1st-4th June, the Jubilee celebration bank holiday weekend.
Starting from the north end of the Malverns, Will will be initially creating a portrait of the Queen as she was when she first came to the throne. The sheep will then be herded across the hills to form a final portrait of how her majesty looks now. The process will last the full 4 days of the Jubilee celebrations.
More than 74 artists across 48 locations have signed up for this year’s Worcestershire Arts Trail. Over 10 of the artist’s involved are creating unique portraits of the Queen which will be on display to the public completely free of charge during the event.
Commenting on the unusual portrait, Worcestershire Arts Trail, organiser Sarah Jones said: ‘Anything that gets people talking about art is a good thing. Worcestershire is a farming county so it seems fitting that one of our tributes to the monarch should reflect our heritage. It’s great to put a different spin on things”.
One of the main aims of the Worcestershire Arts Trail is to debunk some of the myths about art such as it being expensive or out-of-reach for most people.
To find out more about what else is on offer on this year’s trail, visit www.worcsartstrail.org
March 29, 2012
Filed under: Art events,Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 12:01 am
The Arts Newspaper has recently made the announcement at the Louvre Museum in Paris was the most visited art museum in the world in 2011. It estimated that throughout the year nearly Nine million people visited the museum, which is a significant increase on the figures from the previous year.
Second place is held by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum came in at third place. In fourth place was the National Gallery and fifth place was held by the Tate Modern, both museums located in London.
The list was first put together by the newspaper in 2007 and since this time it has always been led by the Louvre. The deputy editor of the newspaper, Javier Pes commented that, “The Louvre is so popular because it is the home of the Mona Lisa as well as numerous other remarkable pieces of art.”
Despite the global recession, more people than ever before are attending art galleries. This is despite many galleries having a budget cut as they look for ways to save money. Museums are having to rely on their great collections and putting them back on the shelves has proved an excellent low-cost alternative.
March 28, 2012
Filed under: Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 9:29 am
A display of British paintings from the 19th century is going to be shown in the UK for the first time this year thanks to an Australian businessman. 23 paintings are going to be shown at Leighton House Museum located in Kensington. The paintings are going to include works by artists John William Waterhouse, GF Watts, and William Holman Hunt.
The art is being lent by businessmen John Schaeffer and many of the works held in his collection of not been seen for 100 years. Mr Schaffer was born in the Netherlands but moved to Australia during the 1950s and became a successful businessman running a cleaning firm with a staff of nearly 24,000 people.
In a recent interview with the Observer newspaper he commented, “I started my business just when outsourcing was becoming a big deal. For the first time ever companies were not doing the cleaning themselves and they wanted a company to do it for them, and that’s when my business came into its own.”
The reason I started collecting Pre-Raphaelite paintings was because of an exhibition I saw at the Tate in 1984. It was a life changing moment and it galvanised my collecting of art.
March 23, 2012
Filed under: Art events,Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 12:35 am
The UK is abuzz with anticipation of the Olympic Games, which is coming to the capital city this summer. It is not just bought that is going to be a very important part of the events and culture is also going to be an important element.
As well as watching Michael Phelps collect even more gold medals, people are going to be able to enjoy fantastic pieces of art in some of London’s best galleries.
Damien Hirst is having his first retrospective event which is taking place at the Tate Modern. This features over 70 of his pieces including one of his most famous, the shark in formaldehyde. Also included in the exhibition is the famous diamond skull which has been valued at over £50 million.
The director of the Tate galleries is Nicolas Serota and he has commented, “We think the Olympic Games is the perfect time for us to showcase British artists and we are delighted to be able to host Hirst’s retrospective event.”
Other cultural events that are taking place include the World Shakespeare Festival which is going to be the largest Shakespeare festival ever created. There are over 50 organisations from around the world involved in the event
March 22, 2012
Filed under: Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 5:48 pm
Many people think that most modern art is just random bits and pieces stuck together and nothing more. If you’re wondering why people find this sort of art interesting, then you should look into the Italian artist Alberto Burri.
Although he died in 1995, he was involved in the revolution in the art world which led to the creation of abstract art. He became famous for his use of strange as well as everyday objects including wood, rubber and even burnt plastic.
If you are interested in getting to know his work a little better then you should visit the Estorick Gallery in Canterbury, which is holding the first retrospective of his work in the UK. The event is running from this month until April and describes him as one of the great masters of last century.
This gallery in Canterbury has a focus on Italian art and the director of the gallery has commented, “Burri’s work is something that doesn’t often come on display in the UK but he should be recognised as one of the great artists who revolutionised art after the war.” Burri was born in Italy and served in the military as a doctor before becoming an artist
March 21, 2012
Filed under: Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 5:50 pm
David Steans is the latest artist who has been asked to curate a new exhibition occurring at PSL, the Leeds arts space. He is an artist who is known for experimenting with new ideas and many people consider is the perfect artist to curate this new show. The show has a lot of creative ideas that some people have described as rather confrontational.
The artist has commented, “The show is quite audacious but I think it utilises this in a very positive way to create an entertaining experience for a visitor.” The exhibition features nearly 30 artists but it is something that Mr Steans has been planning for some time, and you can hear when he talks about it that he is very excited about the launch.
He continued, “I’m definitely an artist before a curator, but I had the idea for this exhibition over two years ago and it is wonderful that I have finally had the opportunity to bring it to life.”
The idea initially came to Mr Steans when he realised that many of the artist friends he has worked with in the past were all coming to important point in their career at the same time. He wanted to create an exhibition where his friends could display their work.
Filed under: Art events,Art News,Exhibitions — Alan @ 11:12 am
North Devon offering the best of the UK's art scene
The landscape of North Devon has inspired hundreds of artists and writers from Ted Hughes to Damian Hirst to Henry Williamson. It is the beauty of the area that rampantly flows everywhere that often brings people to call North Devon their home.
This year the countryside is once again going to inspire art lovers and artists as it will be the site of some of the most hailed exhibitions of 202 including events that will feature Quentin Blake among others.
North Devon will also be part of the Cultural Olympiad as in October it will play host to a major mobile landscape when the public art project Nowhereisland is moored at Ilfracombe. http://nowhereisland.org/.
For the perfect art and crafts break in North Devon, you can find a comprehensive choice of luxurious holiday accommodation at www.northdevon.com.
A Discipline of the Mind: The Drawings of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (March 16th April The Burton Art Gallery & Museum Bideford)
Fans of the St Ives School of Art will love this exhibition of the work of Wilhelmina Barns- Graham who is also considered to be one of the great twentieth century British artists and who was a contemporary of Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Patrick Heron. The drawings in this exhibition range from energy drawings inspired by the sea and currents to natural forms, rocks, trees, ice and landscapes.
A Discipline of the Mind exhibition “demonstrates Barns-Graham as one of the finest landscape draughtsman of her generation. Her drawings have an analytic dynamism and diverse stylistic verve that is utterly original and distinctive”….art critic and writer Mel Gooding.
For further information please contact Hannah Prothero Tel 01647 252017 or email Hannah@communicatingarts.co.uk http://www.burtonartgallery.co.uk/index.php
A perfect place to stay for art lovers wishing to explore what North Devon has to offer would be the beautifully and sympathetically restored Redland House at Instow. This Edwardian house was featured in the TV show “Fantasy Houses by the Sea” and it enjoys the most breath taking coastal views combined with luxurious interiors. Ideal for large groups as it sleeps 22. Short breaks are available, http://www.redlandhouse.co.uk/index.php
Quentin Blake Exhibition 26 May- 27 August RHS Rosemoor at Great Torrington
Quentin Blake is one of Britain’s best-loved, most successful illustrators and children’s authors. A former children’s laureate his distinctive illustrations have appeared in around 250 books including the drawings which featured in Roald Dahl’s celebrated children’s books. This summer, the famous RHS Rosemoor garden is giving visitors the chance to delight in the art of the man who brought to life characters such as Matilda, the BFG and Mister Magnolia.
The exhibition features five groups of pictures, including the Green Ship and You’re Only Young Twice and the team at Rosemoor will be recreating Quentin Blake’s famous Green Ship in the garden for children to clamber on and to recreate their own special version of the story.
For further press information please contact Heather Eales RHS Rosemoor 01805 626815 heathereales@rhs.org.uk or please visit http://www.rhs.org.uk/rosemoor
For visits to Rosemoor then Millbrook Cottages offers a wide range of award winning luxurious accommodation on a 32-acre estate at High Bickington at Umberleigh and would be the ideal location for those who like to enjoy the fine things in life. Artistic and romantic couples will love Millbrook’s Rose Cottage, which is brand new for 2012. A boutique cottage, shabby chic interiors with a copper bath for two and a hot tub. Gourmets can order a private chef service, hampers or breakfast boxes or champagne on arrival. This picturesque thatched cottage sleeps up to 4 people and it is situated in High Bickington Village, close to the Millbrook Estate.
http://www.millbrookcottages.co.uk/
Broomhill National Sculpture Prize 2012
The Broomhill Art Hotel, Sculpture Garden and Gallery near Barnstaple offers an annual £15,000 prize to offer a platform for young and emerging artists to showcase their creative work within medium and outdoor sculpture. The competition is open to UK based sculptures in their last year or within ten years of graduation from a recognised school of art willing to submit their contemporary work before a distinguished panel of judges.
http://www.broomhillart.co.uk/national-sculpture-prize/
For more information please contact; Rinus Van de Sande, Broomhill Art Hotel, Barnstaple 01271 850262. info@broomhillart.co.uk
If you wish to stay at this unique art hotel and explore the wonderful sculpture garden then
Bed and Breakfast costs £75 for a double room, or £50 single room, Sun-Thurs. Free admission to the sculpture garden. Special offers and mini breaks available. Find out more at www.northdevon.com or www.broomhillart.co.uk
Appledore Visual Arts Festival 7-10 June
The beautiful fishing village of Appledore on the banks of the Rivers Taw and Torridge near Bideford has played host to an annual arts festival since 1997 and Landmarks is the theme of the 2012 festival. The programme of events include talks events, workshops often staged in yurts on the quayside at Appledore which enjoys glorious views over the estuary and out towards the Atlantic Ocean. http://www.appledorearts.org/index.htm Please contact appledorearts@gmail.com
To make the most of those stunning views over the estuary then stay at the Gaiety, which offers six, 5-star luxury self catering apartments in what was a former Fisherman’s Mission and the old Gaiety Cinema. Stunning waterside location and private moorings for guests who want to head out on the estuary to spot birds or even Dolphins.
http://www.appledoreholidays.co.uk/
Art Trek 7-22 July Venues across North Devon
Some of the UK’s leading artists will be opening their studio doors to allow visitors a unique glimpse into their creative world. Artists, crafters and designers working across a range of disciplines from painting, sculpture, print-making, textiles ceramic to multi-media and photography will welcome visitors into their workshops, homes and studios Ceramicist Roger Cockram and painter Colin Allbrook will be taking part in this year’s event. Colin works in both oils and watercolours and through the use of light and colour depicts the life and cultural activity of North Devon. Colin has won the prestigious Turner Watercolour Award as well as the Rowland Hilder Award for landscape painting at the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour exhibition.
Roger Cockram was one of the first ceramicists to be invited to take part in Bonham’s Contemporary Craft auctions in London. Roger will take visitors on a mini-guided tour of his work from un-worked clay through to the finished glazed piece at his Chittlehampton Pottery and Gallery.
For the first time, visitors will be able to see an artist showing their work in a newly restored gypsy caravan located near Atherington with the stunning backdrop of the Taw Valley.
Art enthusiasts are being encouraged to go green for Art Trek by visiting the many studios by bike. Anyone who cycles and visits more than 3 studios will have a loyalty card signed and entered into a prize draw to win an original piece of art or a cycling accessory. The prize draw celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Tarka Trail which was inspired by Tarka the Otter book by Henry Williamson. For further information contact Stella Levy 01769 540602
stella@widgerystudios.com
http://www.northdevonarts.co.uk/
Libbear Barton would be the ideal base for large groups or families wishing to enjoy the artistic delights of North Devon. Choose from a large Georgian farmhouse which sleeps 14 or one of three sumptuous cottages on a glorious 40 acre Devon estate at Shebbear near Beaworthy.
http://www.libbearbarton.co.uk/
Nowhereisland Ilfracombe October 2012
Nowhereisland is a public art project conceived by the artist Alex Hartley. It is one of 12 arts projects across the UK, funded by the Arts Council of England which will form part of the cultural Olympiad in summer 2012.
Imagine an Arctic island traveling south- a landscape on the move. After leaving Norway, the island enters international waters and is declared an island nation: Nowhereisland. The island will travel around the coast of South West England and it is due to arrive at Ilfacombe’s historic harbour during the town’s annual festival, Sea Ilfracombe in October. Schools are using Nowhereisland as a catalyst for teaching on citizenship, geography and politics over the coming months and two students from Ifracombe Arts College have been contributing ideas to the project and following their trip to the Artic last year with the Nowhereisland team.
Student hosts will be working with the wider community to devise welcome and farewell events and produce activities for the project. http://nowhereisland.org/
Art fans and gourmets will no doubt “hot-foot it” to Damian Hirst’s restaurant the Quay at Ilfracombe, http://11thequay.co.uk/ but they may like to relax and enjoy the chic style at the boutique Hampton’s Hotel in the town. Interior design courses are also available at the hotel.
http://www.thehamptonshotel.com/
March 8, 2012
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 1:54 pm
It seems fitting thatYorkshire’s most famous artist should take pride of place in an exhibition to celebrate the Festival of Yorkshire later in 2012. A selection of David Hockney’s early etchings, inspired by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, will be on display at Scarborough’s Wood end Museum for most of the month of August.
Hockney produced 40 different illustrations, representing scenes and characters from the Brothers Grimm stories, in the late-1960s. Once a limited number of signed and unsigned copies had been produced, Hockney destroyed the original plates so no more prints could be made.
The Wood end Museum in the seaside town of Scarborough will be borrowing an almost complete set of the Hockney etchings from a gallery in Rutland for the duration of August; a fitting way to mark this year’s Festival of Yorkshire.
Organised by Scarborough Borough Council, the festival is designed to celebrate Yorkshire’s culture and history, and has been arranged to coincide with the better-known Yorkshire Day event. Other events in the festival include a sporting “flat-cap” Frisbee competition on the South Bay sands, an exhibition featuring items made in Yorkshire at the Spa complex and, also at the Spa, a musical concert of favourite Yorkshire tunes.
Wood end Museum, meanwhile, has two other major shows planned for 2012, both of which are being arranged with the same Gold mark Gallery in Rutland which has loaned the museum the Hockney etchings. After the Festival of Yorkshire event, there will be a display of Henri Matisse paintings in October and November, while the museum’s next event is an exhibition of works by Marc Chagall in April.
The two galleries have already forged a good working relationship, after co-operating on last year’s John Piper show at the Scarborough museum, and curators at the Wood end are hopeful that they will be able to continue mounting world-class art events with the assistance of the Gold mark.
March 2, 2012
Filed under: Exhibitions — Alan @ 2:05 pm
The photographer Terry O’Neill is widely regarded as one of the greatest image makers of the 20th century and, in a celebration of his mastery, an exhibition is to be held of his works that have been re-interpreted by some of today’s image makers.
Leading contemporary artists from America and Britain are taking his iconic masterpieces of photography and re-envisaging them into their own mediums of expertise.
Terry O’Neill has spoken about this exhibition, saying that he has been looking over his own photographs for decades and they are now very familiar to him. He said that what he loves about this particular collaboration with Rook and Raven is the fact that today’s young artists are interpreting iconic images with a fresh eye and he was excited by what he is seeing and why they are doing it.
He added that for him personally, there was nothing quite as rewarding as working with fresh ideas and new young talents. This exhibition will be running from 8th-31st March 2012.
Terry O’Neill is acclaimed for his intimate images of the famous and powerful and is responsible for some of the most recognizable photography of the last 50 years. His work is marked by a sense of immediacy and honesty no longer afforded to photographers today.
O’Neill recalls how “none of the Sixties stars took themselves too seriously,” a far cry from the micro-managed celebrity ‘brands’ of today, where reality is distorted unrecognizably by paparazzi, art directors and Photoshop. With this in mind, Terry O’Neill is inspired by this innovative collaboration with Rook & Raven to produce unique, never-before-seen original artwork working with their highly eclectic mix of contemporary artists.
‘Terry O’Neill – Reworked’ sees many of the photographer’s most iconic images alongside a reinterpreted version inspired by and incorporating Terry O’Neill’s photographs, including the infamous Brigitte Bardot with cigar and Raquel Welch on the crucifix. Exhibiting alongside these unique pieces of artwork are Terry O’Neill’s highly collectable fine-art limited edition prints and the artists’ own work in order to contextualise the collaboration.
The artists in question represent Rook & Raven’s alternative contemporary ideals brilliantly. Ranging from the classic cinematic quality of the images Pam Glew conjures on dyed, bleached and deconstructed fabrics to the cursive tag of Curtis Kulig, the man responsible for the omnipresent ‘Love Me’ that has brought him to the attention of the world, ensuing collaborative projects with the likes of make up giants Bobbi Brown.
The illustrious lineup of collaborating artists is made up of James Marshall, aka Dalek, whose progressive geometric abstract works intersperse bold colours and complex linear patterns; James Dawe, who creates ethereal, multidimensional collages that have graced magazines and ad campaigns, and Daniel Lumbini, whose contemporary paintings combine visceral brush marks with strategically-placed media and James Mylne, whose photo-realistic ballpoint drawings have gained him world wide notoriety and an avid collector base.
‘Terry O’Neill – Reworked’ will showcase many of the photographer’s most iconic works as well as outstanding contemporary talent. It will also serve as a fascinating exploration of ideas surrounding ownership and perceived value.
Exclusive Media preview: Wednesday 7th March 6.30 – 9.30PM
Private view: Thursday 8th March 6.30-9.30PM
Rook and Raven, 7-8 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1HN
www.rookandraven.co.uk
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