A rare opportunity to visit Tate Modern and Tate Britain. Both galleries have expanded and altered in recent years so plenty of new experiences.
At Tate Modern a huge new display space has been opened up in the tanks of the old Bankside Power Station. Currently this area is home to five installations collectively entitled Voices. Favourites were The Unfinished Conversation and Forty Part Motet with Wetin You Go Do? a close third. The atmosphere in this subterranean space is calming and cathedral-like as the sounds from the different installations reverberate in the central space.
Tate Britain has also undergone major refurbishment enabling the display of more works from the collection. In the main galleries visitors are invited to Walk Through British Art as they make their way around the nine galleries. More light, more space, more paintings. Definitely a big improvement.
Currently an exhibition of the work of cinematic artist Ray Harryhausen displays the apocalyptic paintings of John Martin and the fantastical drawings of Gustave Dore alongside models, set designs, posters and clips from films including Clash of the Titans and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. Interesting links and great fun.
Change too in the Clore Gallery. Originally housing the works of J.MW. Turner bequeathed to the nation by the artist himself, the gallery is now home to a permanent space given over to the display of Tate's extensive collection of work by William Blake. Occupying two small, dimly lit rooms at the top of the Clore (Blake's works are fragile), William Blake and his Legacy shows works by the artist himself with later works by artists influenced by his style and preoccupations. Chief among these is Cecil Collins but Stanley Spencer and Graham Sutherland both make an appearance.
Tate Modern's expansion has led to a rearrangement of the restaurant spaces. The Kitchen & Bar (previously the 6th Floor restaurant) still does an excellent meal with great views over the Thames. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the Café at Tate Britain which remains disappointing on every level.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Canterbury Tales
Canterbury's Beaney Gallery turned up some unexpected gems on a recent visit. Henry's Demons is a collection of work depicting the artist's experience of mental illness while Drawn to the Light is a collection of fine drawings made of the city's famous cathedral. While Grace Ayson's calm drawings capture the stillness and elegance of the centuries old place of worship, Henry Cockburn's spikey paintings celebrate the possibility of recovery for those struggling with mental health issues.
Works in the permanent collection on display include those associated in some way with the city - Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims and the murder of Thomas Becket in the cathedral were particular themes. Among the rest Sara Wicks' Angel over Canterbury, American artist Henry Gibbs' The Judgement of Solomon and a striking carved Crucifixion by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.
Worth a visit and cheaper than visiting the cathedral!
Works in the permanent collection on display include those associated in some way with the city - Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims and the murder of Thomas Becket in the cathedral were particular themes. Among the rest Sara Wicks' Angel over Canterbury, American artist Henry Gibbs' The Judgement of Solomon and a striking carved Crucifixion by Edward Bainbridge Copnall.
Worth a visit and cheaper than visiting the cathedral!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
National Museum of Wales, Cardiff
A long awaited return visit to the art gallery in Cardiff. Main highlights of the collection are the Impressionist and Post impressionist works collected by two sisters, Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. Painting in Wales is obviously well represented while early galleries house works from Italy and the Netherlands from the period 1500-1700. Art in Britain and Europe from 1900 onwards is also a feature.
Stanley Spencer's Souvenir of Switzerland was an unexpected find. Spencer's interest in the place of religion in daily life dominates this triptych. On a similar theme are Breton Peasant Women at Mass by Armand Seguin and Mass for the Reapers painted in Tivoli by Penry Williams.
The Choir of the Capuchin Church, Rome by Francois-Marius Granet was intriguing. The artist, a Frenchman living in Rome, regretted the dissolution of the monasteries and sought to capture the serenity of these former places of worship. The label in the gallery notes that the work, which exists in several forms, became a seminal work in the Catholic Revival. Gwen John's Mere Poussepin seated at a table also caught my attention as a piece that is linked with the artist's conversion to Catholicism in 1913.
Other points of interest were scenes from the Passion narrative. David Jones' Jesus Mocked, The Disrobing of Christ from the workshop of El Greco and Il Guernico's The Agony in the Garden. Different places and different times each opening a window on the faith of those by or for whom they were created.
Stanley Spencer's Souvenir of Switzerland was an unexpected find. Spencer's interest in the place of religion in daily life dominates this triptych. On a similar theme are Breton Peasant Women at Mass by Armand Seguin and Mass for the Reapers painted in Tivoli by Penry Williams.
The Choir of the Capuchin Church, Rome by Francois-Marius Granet was intriguing. The artist, a Frenchman living in Rome, regretted the dissolution of the monasteries and sought to capture the serenity of these former places of worship. The label in the gallery notes that the work, which exists in several forms, became a seminal work in the Catholic Revival. Gwen John's Mere Poussepin seated at a table also caught my attention as a piece that is linked with the artist's conversion to Catholicism in 1913.
Other points of interest were scenes from the Passion narrative. David Jones' Jesus Mocked, The Disrobing of Christ from the workshop of El Greco and Il Guernico's The Agony in the Garden. Different places and different times each opening a window on the faith of those by or for whom they were created.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Liverpool and the PreRaphaelites
Pre-Raphaelites: Beauty and Rebellion opened two weeks ago at the Walker Gallery. The exhibition explores the significance of Liverpool for the artists and their work. Looks like a good reason to make a trip 'up country' before the show closes on June 5.
And on the way maybe another visit to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery where I recently encountered work by Samuel Colman, an artist of the Bristol School. Apocalytic paintings seem to be his speciality. One to follow up when time allows.
And on the way maybe another visit to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery where I recently encountered work by Samuel Colman, an artist of the Bristol School. Apocalytic paintings seem to be his speciality. One to follow up when time allows.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
A fitting finale
Liverpool's Biennial of Contemporary Art began yesterday so the city art galleries are in full swing welcoming visitors. Tate Liverpool has several displays and exhibitions that were worth a look. The Walker Gallery has the John Moores Painting Prize as a feature.
The Walker's extensive collection of Victorian High Art was also of interest, as was Tate's 'Mondrian and his studios'. But the day's highlight was without doubt Grayson Perry's 'The Vanity of Small Differences'.
Perry's six large tapestries take their inspiration from art history and address the issue of class in British society. Visually stunning, witty, and perceptive, the series tells the story of Tim Rakewell. This fictious character makes his way through life in six scenes beginning with 'The adoration of the cage fighters' and ending with '#Lamentation'.
The catalogue with it's foldout plates of each of the six works is beautifully made and proved irresistable.
Unmissable. What a way to finish.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool
Liverpool's Roman Catholic Cathedral is extraordinary. Opened at Pentecost 1967 it has provoked a range of responses over the years and was at one point in danger of being demolished due to it's leaky roof and other structural problems. These have been addressed, new work has created an impressive approach to the main entrance, and the place is stunning.
When first opened the building was felt by many to be stark in it's modernism. Almost half a century later the worshipping community have dressed the bare walls with glorious banners, works of art have been commissioned or acquired, and the original concept enhanced in so many respects.
Impressive, inspiring, and a tribute to both those with the original vision and their successors who refused to take the easy option and abandon hope.
When first opened the building was felt by many to be stark in it's modernism. Almost half a century later the worshipping community have dressed the bare walls with glorious banners, works of art have been commissioned or acquired, and the original concept enhanced in so many respects.
Impressive, inspiring, and a tribute to both those with the original vision and their successors who refused to take the easy option and abandon hope.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Heavenfield
More walking in the Hadrian's Wall area, this time taking in Heavenfield and St Oswald's church.
Oswald was Northumbria's most successful and very devout Christian king. At what is known as Heavenfield he defeated a Welsh Army by praying before the battle with his troops, raising a cross on the hill where the little church now stands and holding on against the odds. For this, as well as for his encouragement to the spread of Christianity in the early seventh century and his apparent kindness to his own people he is revered.
Within in few years of this great victory Oswald was killed in another battle. It was a messy end but his head eventually made it to Durham where it's buried in Cuthbert's tomb.
Found some paintings by local artists on sale in the Hadrian Hotel at lunchtime. Two lovely views of the castles at Alnwick and Bamburgh, close to Lindisfarne. Oswald spent time on Holy Island where he was converted to Christianity.
At the time of Oswald's battle Hadrian's wall was still a structure of significance that afforded protection to the Northumbrian troops. Today it's no more than a few stones and a tourist path. Northumbrian Christianity has fared rather better and the churches in the area remain places of sanctuary welcoming visitors who come now in peace.
Oswald was Northumbria's most successful and very devout Christian king. At what is known as Heavenfield he defeated a Welsh Army by praying before the battle with his troops, raising a cross on the hill where the little church now stands and holding on against the odds. For this, as well as for his encouragement to the spread of Christianity in the early seventh century and his apparent kindness to his own people he is revered.
Within in few years of this great victory Oswald was killed in another battle. It was a messy end but his head eventually made it to Durham where it's buried in Cuthbert's tomb.
Found some paintings by local artists on sale in the Hadrian Hotel at lunchtime. Two lovely views of the castles at Alnwick and Bamburgh, close to Lindisfarne. Oswald spent time on Holy Island where he was converted to Christianity.
At the time of Oswald's battle Hadrian's wall was still a structure of significance that afforded protection to the Northumbrian troops. Today it's no more than a few stones and a tourist path. Northumbrian Christianity has fared rather better and the churches in the area remain places of sanctuary welcoming visitors who come now in peace.
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