Monthly Archives: January 2015

Messum’s Fine Art

The Elemental North: Jake Attree & David Blackburn, Messum’s Fine Art, 28 Cork Street, London W1, until 6th February, 2015
It is not because of having lived there that I really like this show of work by two Yorkshire artists but because of their very differing skills in depicting and more importantly, capturing a sense of place.

David Blackburn b. 1939 ACROSS THE VIADUCT, 2005 pastel 48 x 36 cm Courtesy of Messum's Fine Art

David Blackburn b. 1939
ACROSS THE VIADUCT, 2005
pastel
48 x 36 cm
Courtesy of Messum’s Fine Art

David Blackburn’s pastels reflect his having lived in Australia in the 60s and 70s and engagingly challenge our concepts of the horizon and what we see. Instead they demonstrate “the relationship between the unnoticed and the infinite”.

Jake Attree b.1950 The Bank of the River Aire - Early Morning oil pastel on card 58 x 61 cm Courtesy of Messum's Fine Art

Jake Attree b.1950
The Bank of the River Aire – Early Morning
oil pastel on card
58 x 61 cm
Courtesy of Messum’s Fine Art

Jake Attree’s works are of more familiar form but his use of impasto presents an individual approach which when depicting a building such as York Minster has a sculptural element too. There is almost an air of mystery to his works, a sense of time stood still.
There is also a similar exhibition at Brooksbank School in Yorkshire (20th – 30th January) bearing the same title. It features work by sixth form pupils and recent alumni hanging alongside works by Attree and Blackburn and is aimed at giving the students a fuller picture of the commercial art world.
You will not be surprised to learn that David Blackburn was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to art.

http://www.messums.com

Gallery Elena Shchukina

From EGO to ID, Gallery Elena Shchukina, 18 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London SW3, until 20th February 2015

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

This show, curated by Suzanne Trocmé, is a celebration of the artist and designer (EGO) and the idea of interior decoration (ID).

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

The works of gallery artists Laure Hatchuel-Becker, Miguel Kohler-Jan, Onyeka Ibe, Paul Wright and Allan Forsyth are combined with furniture by NOI Paris, Epiforma, Ian Parker and Sicis to form an individual, tempting combination of furniture and painting in what the gallery’s owner Elena Shchukina describes as “a glorious whole.”

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

WWW.GALLERYELENASHCHUKINA.COM

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

From EGO to ID, installation view, 2014. Courtesy of Gallery Elena Shchukina. Photo: Vika Anisko

A Touch of India

Natasha Kumar

Woven with the artist Natasha Kumar’s signature elephant motif, the ‘Red Dance of Love’ scarf is inspired by the classic Hindu love story, the Rasa Lila. Limited Edition of 50 92% wool, 8% silk with gold thread embroidery Made in Calcutta, India Designed by Natasha Kumar

Woven with the artist Natasha Kumar’s signature elephant motif, the ‘Red Dance of Love’ scarf is inspired by the classic Hindu love story, the Rasa Lila.
Limited Edition of 50
92% wool, 8% silk with gold thread embroidery
Made in Calcutta, India
Designed by Natasha Kumar

The work of the British Indian artist Natasha Kumar will be deservedly recognisable to many of you, especially her RASA collections. She currently has an exhibition together with the sculptor Paul Vanstone at the Pavilion Gallery of the Royal Geographical Society (until 23rd January).

She has also launched a range of scarves whose designs are based on her RASA pictures which I am sure will become a popular accessory. She is also working with Wexas Travel on a tour of Northern India in early 2016 which will include the areas and places from which she draws her inspiration.

 

www.natashakumar.co.uk

Hamiltons Gallery

Murray Fredericks: Recent Work, Hamiltons Gallery, 13 Carlos Place, LondonW1, until 30 January 2015

Salt 400, 2014 All images courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London and Arc 1 Gallery, Melbourne

Salt 400, 2014
All images courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London and Arc 1 Gallery, Melbourne

This exhibition combines a selection of large-scale images from two bodies of work by the Australian photographer Murray Fredericks. Lake Eyre is a further development in his Salt series and each of the photographs was done at night and marks a new development in his work practice.

Icesheet #0712, 2014 All images courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London and Arc 1 Gallery, Melbourne

Icesheet #0712, 2014
All images courtesy Hamiltons Gallery, London and Arc 1 Gallery, Melbourne

The second body of work comes from Topophilia: the Greenland Ice Sheets and can be regarded as the natural progression from the Salt and Lake Eyre series. As Fredericks says “The rationale was to locate the project in an even more minimal landscape than Lake Eyre, replacing the salt lake bed with snow and the clear desert air with an atmosphere of fine ice crystals.” 

http://www.hamiltonsgallery.com

LAPADA Conference, Tuesday 24th February 2015

I thought I would share this press release and link with you:
 
Print
 

LAPADA the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers, will host its seventh annual LAPADA Conference – one of the only industry forums of its kind in the UK’s art and antiques trade – on Tuesday 24th February 2015, from 9:30am to 5pm in the Cholmondeley Room of the House of Lords. The event is kindly sponsored by Antiques Trade Gazette, Rawlinson & Hunter, Cadogan Tate, Dedar and Besso Limited.

 

Focusing on topics varying from branding and employment law to interior trends, industry experts will share specialist advice and insights on many of the key issues that pertain to art and antiques businesses. This follows the success of last year’s conference programme, which included retail guru, Sir Stuart Rose, as a key note speaker.

 

Scheduled talks include:

 

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

What does your branding say about your business? Does it accurately reflect you and what you do? Is it clear, consistent and creative? Respected Brand Consultant, Rebecca Battman, explains the importance of branding and gives tips for how you can ensure a strong identity across all media.

Rebecca Battman, Brand and Marketing Consultant 

 

EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Simple tips on how to avoid common pitfalls when dealing with employees and what you should do if problems arise. Employment lawyer, Ray Wann, will take questions from the audience about general issues in HR and employment law.

Ray Wann, Partner in the Employment Group of Sheridans 

 

WHO WILL WIN IN MAY AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR BUSINESS?
Peter Kellner is an English journalist, political commentator and President of YouGov, the UK opinion polling organisation. He will discuss what YouGov’s public opinion research is indicating for the results of the upcoming elections and what impact this may have on retail businesses.

Peter Kellner, President of YouGov

 

TRENDS IN INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION
A discussion panel with interior designers and design editors will explore current trends in interior design and decoration. The panel will discuss what styles are on the up and how art and antiques of different eras can be blended into modern schemes. This will also include suggestions on presentation within a retail or fair environment.

 

The LAPADA Conference 2015 returns to The House of Lords for a third consecutive year by courtesy of the Association’s Chairman, Lord Chadlington, who will chair the proceedings. Previous venues have also been places of cultural interest, including Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon Manor, The Wallace Collection and the Goldsmiths’ Hall.

A three course lunch will be served in The Cholmondeley Room, providing an opportunity to meet and network with colleagues and speakers.

Tickets are available to the public and early booking is advised.

LAPADA will offer delegates the exclusive opportunity to see the inside workings of the House of Lords and House of Commons, for those able to arrive by 8.40am for a 9am tour. Those who wish to take part in the tour should indicate their desire on their booking form.

www.lapada.org

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lapada-conference-2015-tickets-14503138277?aff=TimForrest

Pace London

Hiroshi Sugimoto: Still Life, Pace London, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1, until 24th January 2015

Sugimoto, Hiroshi Polar Bear, 1976 gelatin silver print Edition of 5 © Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy The Pace Gallery

Sugimoto, Hiroshi Polar Bear, 1976 gelatin silver print
Edition of 5
© Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy The Pace Gallery

This exhibition is part of the Diorama series that the artist created between 1976 and 2012. The seventeen large-scale photographic works show dioramas from various natural history museums but Sugimoto brings his own twist to the story by emphasising the artificiality of the scene and so reflects his interest in the story of history – “My life is part of natural history. I long to know where that history came from and where it is going.”

Hiroshi Sugimoto Alaskan Wolves, 1994 gelatin silver print 47" x 83" (119.4 cm x 210.8 cm) Edition 2 of 5 Edition of 5 © Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy The Pace Gallery

Hiroshi Sugimoto
Alaskan Wolves, 1994
gelatin silver print
47″ x 83″ (119.4 cm x 210.8 cm)
Edition 2 of 5
Edition of 5
© Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy The Pace Gallery

http://www.pacegallery.com/london

Book Review: Russian Decorative Arts

Russian Decorative Arts

Cynthia Coleman Sparke

Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd

ISBN-10: 1851497226
ISBN-13: 978-1851497225

£55.00

dust jacket artworks_Layout 1

This is a welcome book that looks at Pre-revolutionary Russian decorative arts in some detail and allows us to learn more about Russian woodwork, jewellery and enamel, hardstone, awards and decorations, silver, bone, lacquer, glass, porcelain and, of course, Fabergé. It is a useful, informative, well written tool for both established and novice collectors and I am sure it will encourage the interest of many more in this fascinating area of collecting.

While the cover photograph is appropriately enough of the Yusupov 25th Wedding Anniversary Fabergé music box at Hillwood Museum in Washington where the author worked for a time, most illustrations come from the auctioneers Bonhams.

Bowman Sculpture

Aimé-Jules Dalou (1838 – 1902), Bowman Sculpture, 6 Duke Street St James’s, London, SW1, until 31st January 2015

Grand Paysan / Large Peasant Aimé-Jules Dalou (French, 1838-1902) Signed DALOU (sclp) Inscribed Susse Fres Edts Paris and cire perdue Inset with Susse Fres Editeurs/Paris foundry pastille Bronze with a dark brown and green patination Height: 31 1/4 inches (79 cm) ©

Grand Paysan / Large Peasant
Aimé-Jules Dalou
(French, 1838-1902)
Signed DALOU (sclp)
Inscribed Susse Fres Edts Paris and cire perdue
Inset with Susse Fres Editeurs/Paris foundry pastille
Bronze with a dark brown and green patination
Height: 31 1/4 inches (79 cm)
©

Until the exhibition at Paris’s Petit Palais a couple of years ago this leading late 19th century French sculptor was rather under-exposed to public attention even though his works can be seen around the French capital.  His work can be said to rival that of his contemporary Rodin.

This current show amply reveals his skill as a modeller and why his domestic scale models are the ones most eagerly collected today, even though many were never cast in bronze in his lifetime.

Desespoir / Despair Aimé-Jules Dalou (French, 1838-1902) Signed Dalou and inscribed Cire Perdue Susse Frs Edrs Paris Bronze with a dark brown, green and and red/brown patination Height: 8 inches (20.3 cm) ©

Desespoir / Despair
Aimé-Jules Dalou
(French, 1838-1902)
Signed Dalou and inscribed Cire Perdue Susse Frs Edrs Paris
Bronze with a dark brown, green and and red/brown patination
Height: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
©

In 1871, after the fall of the Paris Commune, Dalou fled to England and spent the rest of the decade here. It was a successful time with him exhibiting at the Royal Academy and gaining many patrons, including a Royal one. His teaching in London resulted in a move away from the stiffer neo-classic forms that were then the backbone of English sculpture to what was called “New Sculpture”. Lord Leighton credited Dalou as the influence for his Athlete Struggling with a Python which is considered to be the first example of “New Sculpture”.

La Sagesse Soutenant La Liberte / Wisdom Supporting Freedom Aimé-Jules Dalou (French, 1838-1902) Signed: Dalou and dated 1889 This model cast in an edition of 10. Numbered 5 Stamped AA Hébrard Cire Perdue Bronze with a rich dark brown patination on a green marble plynth Height: 20 inches ( 51 cm) ©

La Sagesse Soutenant La Liberte / Wisdom Supporting Freedom
Aimé-Jules Dalou
(French, 1838-1902)
Signed: Dalou and dated 1889
This model cast in an edition of 10.
Numbered 5
Stamped AA Hébrard Cire Perdue
Bronze with a rich dark brown patination on a green marble plynth
Height: 20 inches ( 51 cm)
©

On his return to Paris he concentrated on large-scale works and public monuments although his staunch republicanism sometimes governed which projects he would undertake.

 

http://www.bowmansculpture.com

Sir John Soane’s Museum

Face to Face: British Portraits from the Clifford Chance Art Collection, Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2, until 24thJanuary 2015

Tim Noble and Sue Webster ‘Double Double Vision Vision’ 2013 ©

Tim Noble and Sue Webster ‘Double Double Vision Vision’ 2013
©

The Sir John Soane Museum has good collection of portraits in its permanent collection and so it is fitting that this celebration of portraiture and self-portraiture by British printmakers should be held here.

Tom Phillips ‘Dante’s Inferno: Dante in his Study’ 1983 ©

Tom Phillips ‘Dante’s Inferno: Dante in his Study’ 1983
©

The forty prints on view date from the mid-20th century onwards and provide a rare chance for the wider public to see works from the noted Clifford Chance art collection. Among the artists represented are Gary Hume, Patrick Caulfield, Paula Rego and David Hockney as well as younger printmakers such as Alessandro Raho and Nicola Thomas.

Gary Hume ‘The Cleric’, 2000 ©

Gary Hume ‘The Cleric’, 2000
©

These portraits reflect themes of abstraction, realism, social commentary and caricature –what more can one ask for?

http://www.soane.org

Ham Jin

Ham Jin – Somewhere Underneath, Hada Contemporary Ltd, 21 Vyner Street, London, England E2, until 31st January 2015

Ham Jin Somewhere Underneath 2014 Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

Ham Jin
Somewhere Underneath
2014
Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

This is the remarkable world of minuscule sculptures, and in some cases very minuscule, which Ham Jin (b 1978) creates. It is a dark gothic world, created from materials such as hair and dust, which fully draws the viewer in to engage with the artist’s chaotic imagination with a feeling of wonderment. Ham has also created some very colourful slightly larger polymer clay sculptures which are equally intriguing.

Ham Jin Island #3 Polymer clay, glue and wire 6.5 x 10 x 8.5 cm 2014 Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

Ham Jin
Island #3
Polymer clay, glue and wire
6.5 x 10 x 8.5 cm
2014
Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

It is an exhibition that certainly should be seen.

Ham Jin Untitled-201431 Polymer clay, glue and polyester 8.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm 2014 Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

Ham Jin
Untitled-201431
Polymer clay, glue and polyester
8.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 cm
2014
Courtesy of the artist and HADA Contemporary

http://www.hadacontemporary.com