Monthly Archives: December 2015

BOOK REVIEW: Konstantin Makovsky

Konstantin Makovsky The Tsar’s Painter in America and Paris

Wendy Salmond, Wilfried Zeisler and Russell E. Martin

Published by GILES in association with the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

PRICE — UK£29.95/US$45.00

ISBN — 978-1-907804-70-0

9781907804700

 

Konstantin Makovsky (1839-1915) was a Russian artist whose career encompasses late 19th century Imperial Russia, Paris and America.  He is particularly known for three large-scale works which depict the customs of traditional aristocratic Boyar weddings and reflect the interest of the time in the Old Russian Style of pre-Petrine Russia.

Konstantin Makovsky Imperial Dinner Table in the Palace of Facets 1883

Konstantin Makovsky
Imperial Dinner Table in the Palace of Facets
1883

The three paintings that are central to this fascinating book are A Boyar Wedding Feast (1883) which hangs in the Pavilion at Hillwood in Washington DC, Choosing the Bride (1887), and The Russian Bride’s Attire (1889).  The book reveals that as well as pictures such as these Makovsky also painted Orientalist pictures while in Paris.

This is a beautifully illustrated book which deservedly celebrates the colourful world of this talented artist. A visual treat in every way.

Konstantin Makovsky A Boyar Wedding Feast 1883

Konstantin Makovsky
A Boyar Wedding Feast
1883

The exhibition Konstantin Makovsky: The Tsar’s Painter runs at Hillwood Museum 13th February – 12th June 2016

 

http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

http://www.gilesltd.com

Bronze and Ceramic!

Merete Rasmussen: Bronze & Ceramic, Pangolin London, Kings Place 90 York Way London N1, until 16th January 2016

Yellow twisted form,2015, h40 60x50 cm, 2015, Ceramic with coloured slip, Courtesy of Pangolin London

Yellow twisted form,2015,
h40 60×50 cm, 2015, Ceramic with coloured slip,
Courtesy of Pangolin London

It is always nice to end the year on a high note and this is certainly what is happening at Pangolin London.  Why?  The answer is two-fold – first they are hosting the first solo show of the Danish-born Merete Rasmussen, a noted abstract ceramicist. Secondly the artist has started to work with Pangolin Editions and is now working in bronze as well.

Convolved Form II, 2015, Bronze, 45 x 24 x 30 cm, unique, courtesy of Pangolin London

Convolved Form II, 2015,
Bronze, 45 x 24 x 30 cm, unique,
courtesy of Pangolin London

The complex stoneware pieces she makes by hand using the coil technique are equally suited to bronze and this exhibition provides a vividly colourful display of four bronzes and new ceramic pieces.  Rasmussen explains her approach to her work saying “Different form expressions appeal to me and result in my continuous exploration with many different variations: soft but precise curves, sharp edges, concave surfaces shifting to convex; the discovery and strength of an inner or negative space. I am intrigued by the idea of a continuous surface, for example with one connected edge running through an entire form.”

 You will not be surprised to learn that she also designs jewellery.

pangolinlondon.com

BOOK REVIEW: The Children’s Interactive Story of Art

The Children’s Interactive Story of Art

Susie Hodge

Carlton Kids, £14.99

 

AR interactive story of artThis is an ideal book for any child (and possibly adults) who wants to know a bit more about art as it looks at paintings from prehistoric times to the present day.  Many of the paintings featured can be found in London’s National Gallery.  Not only is there the book but also you can download a free app and create your own virtual gallery using paintings from the National Gallery and, of course, you can add your own too.  Sounds fun!

http://www.carltonkids.com

Hong Kong Revealed

Michael Wolf – Informal Arrangements, Flowers, 82 Kingsland Road London E2, until 9th January 2016

Michael Wolf, Industrial #24 (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

Michael Wolf, Industrial #24
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

Wolf arrived in Hong Kong in 1994 and has always been fascinated by the hyper density of the architecture and indeed many of you may know his large-scale photographs from previous exhibitions.

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15, Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9 (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15,
Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

In this show he reveals, alongside the endless building facades, the more intimate world of Hong Kong’s back alleys.  Here you find a different world – to some a passageway through from the street, to others a quiet place but also storage areas where residents can safely leave mops, rubber gloves, even pieces of ribbon and string stored to be used another day.

Michael Wolf, Industrial #26, (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

Michael Wolf, Industrial #26,
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

He also has amassed from Hong Kong and mainland China a collection of broken chairs which had been made useful in the alleys though repairs with fabric and string. He calls them ‘Bastard Chairs’ and they eloquently add their presence to this colourful celebration of life.

Michael Wolf, Informal Arrangements, installation view, (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

Michael Wolf, Informal Arrangements, installation view,
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

The artist sums it up saying: “Hong Kong’s back alleys are often unnoticed against their more glamorous counterparts of dazzling architecture. However, they present an authentic slice of Hong Kong’s grass roots culture. In my opinion they should be nominated as a heritage site.”

I rather think that is a valid point.

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15, Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9 (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15,
Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

In January 2016 the book Informal Solutions – Observations in Hong Kong Back Alleys by Michael Wolf, with a text by Marc Feustel, will be published by WE publishers, Hong Kong.

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15, Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9 (c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

Michael Wolf, From the series My Favourite Thing, 2003-15,
Archival Inkjet Print, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in, Edition of 9
(c) Michael Wolf, Courtesy of Flowers

http://www.flowersgallery.com

The Prince Regent’s Christmas

A Regency Christmas, Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4, until 5th January 2016.

This year the Castle’s State Apartments have been decorated in a manner that evokes how the Prince Regent (later George IV) would have celebrated his Christmas there in the early-19th century.

The Crimson Drawing Room Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

The Crimson Drawing Room
Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

While there are impressive Nordmann Fir Christmas trees in the Crimson Drawing Room and St George’s Hall – do look closely at the latter as its decorations reflect that this is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – it is the State Dining Room which has the major wow factor.  The table is set with pieces from the silver-gilt Grand Service which is still used today at State banquets.  It was made for the Prince Regent by the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell and there are some four-thousand pieces in all.

The Octagon Dining Room Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

The Octagon Dining Room
Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

The Prince Regent’s mother Queen Charlotte (wife of George III) is recalled in the Octagon Dining Room which is decorated with yew.  The yew tree was the first tree to be used as a Christmas tree in England and an 1819 memoir of the Queen tells us that ‘in the middle of the room stood an immense tub with a yew-tree placed in it, from the branches of which hung bunches of sweetmeats, almonds, and raisins, fruits and toys, most tastefully arranged, and the whole illuminated by small wax candles’. There is also a small display of gifts exchanged by Queen Charlotte and her family.

Table display in the State Dining Room Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

Table display in the State Dining Room
Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk

Humble and Epic

Ben Gregor – Humble & Epic, Herrick Gallery, 93 Piccadilly, London W1, until 9th December 2015

Ben Gregor & boards

Ben Gregor & boards

For this exhibition which focuses on the ideas of love, friendship and inspiration in our present day world the London-based filmmaker Ben Gregor has used sixty-five maple wood skateboards as canvases on which he has laser etched the names of family, friends and heroes. Like those individuals each board is unique due to the differing markings of the wood.

boards

He says of them “There are all kinds of people on the boards – it’s like a map, an inventory of people who have either inspired or sponsored me. Some I never met – like Evil Knievel and Kawabata Yasunari, some who I’ve been lucky to work with like Spike Jonze and Sigourney Weaver, right through to friends, family, priests and even my dog Wolfie. He’s probably the first dog to have his own pro model skateboard.”

boards 2

Please remember that 10% of sales profits will go to the non-profit organisation Skateistan which focuses especial on providing opportunities for Afghan girls and street working children.

 

humbleandepic.com

 

http://www.herrickgallery.com

Max Rollitt – Antiques and Interiors

MAX ROLLITT

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Max Rollitt could be described as a 3D man for he is a designer, dealer and decorator – and has a sure, deft touch in all three elements of his business. This sensitivity comes from him being both a dealer and a restorer which means he has a deep knowledge of the construction and design of furniture from different periods.

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It is, of course, a vital component to him as a decorator because it shows he understands the scale and proportions suitable for the house he is working on.  He says ‘My aim is to create joyful homes which are comfortable elegant and interesting and look as though they have evolved over time.  Words to describe my style include informed, classical yet informal, eclectic but English.’

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Certainly these pictures show his talent and vision.  Antiques play an important role in these interiors and as you can see he mainly specialises in 18th and 19th century English antiques which he combines with unusual textiles and a beguiling mixture of “bits and bobs”.  Max sums up his passion for antiques saying ‘I live and breathe antiques, I love them.  I am always seeking purity and beauty and a little quirk in each piece, so that they are not stale and boring, but rich, well patinated and sometimes amusing.’

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As both clients and designers know it is not always possible to find a piece of the right size for an interior and with this in mind Max has designed a bespoke range of chairs, sofas, stools and tables that are made by the best craftsmen he can find and there is great attention to detail too – ‘I have sourced the best craftsman for each part of their production; the frames are constructed by hand, all the castors are sand cast copies of the originals and then I finish everything myself and can match the tone, feel and patina of the originals.’ 

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He certainly has the right approach in all that he sets out to achieve and to my mind does it with a style and sense of wit that will endure and not grow stale.

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http://www.maxrollitt.com

London: Ancient and Modern

Hugh Beattie – London: Ancient & Modern, Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, 1 Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London SW1, until 5th December 2015

 

Hugh Beattie, Hasilwood House v Cheese Grater (courtesy of the artist)

Hugh Beattie,
Hasilwood House v Cheese Grater
(courtesy of the artist)

This exhibition provides, through some thirty works, rather different views of buildings ancient and modern.  Beattie, by contrasting old and new, challenges why so many new buildings have been constructed since the Millennium and what is going to be done to preserve the historic ones that are part of London’s history and the story of the people who work or live there.

Hugh Beattie, St Paul's v One New Change (courtesy of the artist)

Hugh Beattie,
St Paul’s v One New Change
(courtesy of the artist)

 

Twitter: @jhlbeattie, @lagalleria, #AncientModern