Monthly Archives: January 2016

Foreign Objects

MOFFAT TAKADIWA – Foreign Objects, Tyburn Gallery, 26 Barrett Street, London, W1, until 23rd January 2016

 

Moffat Takadiwa, Foreign Objects, 2015, Exhibition view, Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

Moffat Takadiwa, Foreign Objects, 2015,
Exhibition view,
Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

In his first UK solo show the Zimbabwean artist has produced a group of hanging wall sculptures that underline the dominant influence of foreign products in both Zimbabwe and other African countries.

Moffat Takadiwa, Head Spin 4, 2015, Found spray tops, Approx. diameter 60cm, Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

Moffat Takadiwa, Head Spin 4, 2015,
Found spray tops, Approx. diameter 60cm,
Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

Indeed, they should give us all pause for thought since the intriguing sculptures are made up from found pieces including old plastic bottle tops, keyboards and other discarded electrical goods, spray cans, fishing lines, tyre rubber and even tooth paste.

Moffat Takadiwa, Foreign Smell, 2015, Found spray-can, 270 x 95 x 12 cm, Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

Moffat Takadiwa, Foreign Smell, 2015,
Found spray-can, 270 x 95 x 12 cm,
Courtesy the artist and Tyburn Gallery

http://www.tyburngallery.com

The Mayfair Antiques and Fine Art Fair

The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair, London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London W1, 7th – 10th January 2016

Merriment by Charles Désiré Hue (1825-1883), oil on canvas, French, 35½" x 27", signed and dated 1869, Cambridge Fine Art

Merriment by Charles Désiré Hue (1825-1883), oil on canvas, French, 35½” x 27″, signed and dated 1869,
Cambridge Fine Art

Now in its fourth year, this pleasing fair organised in association with Mayfair property specialist Wetherell, attracts some forty dealers who belong to either BADA (British Antique Dealers’ Association) or LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers).

Rare Spode porcelain blue gilt decorated pineapple stand, 4½" high x 9½" diameter, c1815, Carolyn Stoddart-Scott

Rare Spode porcelain blue gilt decorated pineapple stand, 4½” high x 9½” diameter, c1815,
Carolyn Stoddart-Scott

There is an interesting mix of periods and styles on offer which goes a long way to explain why this is a popular destination for collectors and interior decorators.  Definitely a good way to start off the New Year.

Victoire an early 20th century Art Deco hand frosted glass car mascot by René Lalique, fashioned as the Spirit of the Wind, the most iconic of all René Lalique’s car mascots introduced on 18 April 1928, signed, 16cm high x 25cm long, c1930, Hickmet Fine Arts

Victoire an early 20th century Art Deco hand frosted glass car mascot by René Lalique, fashioned as the Spirit of the Wind, the most iconic of all René Lalique’s car mascots introduced on 18 April 1928, signed, 16cm high x 25cm long, c1930,
Hickmet Fine Arts

 

Rare red cross ring in 18ct gold and platinum, pavé set with twelve 0.5 carat diamonds and the red cross made up of five Burmese rubies, c1915, T Robert

Rare red cross ring in 18ct gold and platinum, pavé set with twelve 0.5 carat diamonds and the red cross made up of five Burmese rubies, c1915,
T Robert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bokhara Suzani embroidery, made as a dowry gift, Central Asia, 2.15m x 1.63m, c1850, Aaron Nejad Antique Carpets

Bokhara Suzani embroidery, made as a dowry gift, Central Asia, 2.15m x 1.63m, c1850,
Aaron Nejad Antique Carpets

 

Late Regency period satinwood Davenport desk with original pierced gallery on well carved legs, with a secret drawer and side slide, c1825, £ Walton House Antiques

Late Regency period satinwood Davenport desk with original pierced gallery on well carved legs, with a secret drawer and side slide, c1825, £
Walton House Antiques

 

 

 

 

http://www.mayfairfair.com

‘Architecture in Miniature’

Vicki Ambery-Smith, ‘Architecture in Miniature’, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, until 17th May 2016

Sheldonian Theatre

Sheldonian Theatre

One can certainly understand why Timothy Wilson, Keeper of Western Art at the Ashmolean Museum, asked Vicki Ambery-Smith, to create these six stunning representations of iconic Oxford buildings which were chosen by her and with which she is familiar since she grew up in Oxford.

Bodleian Library

Bodleian Library

The “major” item in the exhibition is the sterling silver and gold-plated model of the three hundred and fifty year old Sheldonian Theatre. When the roof of the “box” is opened a perfectly photo-etched view of the theatre’s interior is revealed.  A perfect way to commemorate a 350th anniversary.

Radcliffe Camera Brooch

Radcliffe Camera Brooch

The other buildings are either depicted as jewellery or boxes and even a condiment set.  They include The Radcliffe Camera, Magdalen College Tower, Keble College, St John’s College and the Bodleian Library box.  All reveal the architectural detail for which the artist has become so well-known and eagerly sought after.  Five of the above buildings can also be seen in the large-scale ‘Oxford Ring’.

Magdalen Tower

Magdalen Tower

Four of Hugh Colvin’s Oxford-inspired architectural installations are shown alongside these wonderful pieces.

 

Keble College (closed)

Keble College (closed)

http://www.vickiamberysmith.co.uk

http://www.ashmolean.org

Oxford Ring

Oxford Ring

Frances Macdonald at the new Portland Gallery

FRANCES MACDONALD, Portland Gallery, 3 Bennet Street, London SW1, until 13th January 2016

Towards Ben Mhor, June Oil on canvas 48 x 48 ins

Towards Ben Mhor, June
Oil on canvas
48 x 48 ins

What better way to celebrate the opening of their new gallery, just across the road from the previous one, than this delicious exhibition of works by Frances Macdonald.  The majority are of the coastline of Argyll and the Western Isles which is the area where she lives and whether stormy or calm she captures the scene perfectly.  There are also some “shimmering” Italian views as well.

The Bluebell Wood, January Oil on canvas 20 x 24 ins

The Bluebell Wood, January
Oil on canvas
20 x 24 ins

http://www.portlandgallery.com