Nature Morte

NATURE MORTE, Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard, London EC2, until 2^nd April 2018

Jim Skull,
Untitled, 2009, papier maché, perles de verre 1930, 90 cm,
Photo C.Lebedinsky

Not, of course the most pleasant of subjects but one which certainly deserves our attention in an exhibition which attempts to show how 21^st century artists have brought back to life, if that’s not too unfortunate a term, a genre previously synonymous with the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Victoria Reynolds,
Globular Cluster, 2015, Oil on canvas(framed) 42.1 x 52.2 cm overall (16.5 x 20.5 in.)
Photographer Brian Forrest

This is one of the largest exhibitions presented at the Guildhall Art Gallery and features works by Mat Collishaw, Michael Craig-Martin, Gabriel Orozco and Marc Quinn amongst others. This is its last stop on an acclaimed European tour and will be augmented in London with new works from London-based artists including Clare Twomey and Michael Raedecker.

Mathew Weir,
There and Not There, 2017, Oil on Canvas, mounted on board, 60 x 45 cm (unframed)
© Mathew Weir

One standout photograph by Mat Collishaw is Last Meal On Death Row, Texas (Juan Soria) which depicts the last meals ordered by prisoners on death row and each image is named after the prisoner who ordered the meal. It’s that sort of exhibition, folks!

Saara Ekström,
Clouded Yellow Bud, 2007, stop frame animation transferred on DVD, loop

Nature Morte is based on Michael Petry’s recent Thames and Hudson book of the same name and brings together historic still life paintings and modern works reflecting the language of these earlier pieces.

Alexander James,
‘The Great Leveller’, 2010, from ‘Vanitas’,Chromogenic print, mounted to polished aluminium plate, Face mounted with museum grade ar acrylic, 19 x 25 cm (2)

http://www.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.uk/art-gallery

James White,
Raid, 2013, Oil and varnish on acrylic sheet in, Perspex box frame,
88.5 x 88.5 x 5.5 cm,
Courtesy the artist and Blain Southern

I am grateful to John Kirkwood for visiting and writing about this exhibition

Art in the Age of Black Power

Aug2

SOUL OF A NATION: ART IN THE AGE OF BLACK POWER, Tate Modern, until 22^nd October 2017

Elizabeth Catlett
Black Unity, 1968
Mahogany wood
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, © Catlett Mora Family Trust/DACS, London / VAGA, NY 2017

I am grateful to John Kirkwood to visiting and writing about this exhibition:

It is quite startling to enter this exhibition and be confronted by copies of the Black Panther newspaper – the printed form of the ideology behind the Black Panther movement of the early sixties which wasn’t always engaged in peaceful or lawful pursuits.

Faith Ringgold (b.1930)
American People Series #20: Die, 1967
Oil on canvas,1828 x 3657 mm
The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Purchase; and gift of the Modern Women’s Fund, © Faith Ringgold

There are images in varying media of many of the personalities involved in the rise of the awareness of Black Power including Aretha Franklin, Muhammad Ali and Toni Morrison. On the more political side we have of course Martin Luther King and Malcolm X who has a painting dedicated to him by Jack Whitten on public display for the first time. There is a fragment from The Wall of Respect in Chicago which became a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights movement.

Andy Warhol
Muhammad Ali, 1978
Synthetic polymer and silkscreen inks on canvas, 1016 x 1016 mm
Private collection
© 2017 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London

This is a timely and far-reaching exhibition and a major celebration of a crucial but perhaps overlooked area of American art history when black artists rose to the challenge of increasing their visibility and saying out loud and clear ‘We are here!’

Roy DeCarava
Couple Walking,1979
Photograph, gelatin silver print on paper, 356 x 279 mm
© Courtesy Sherry DeCarava and the DeCarava Archives

http://www.tate.org.uk

Inspired by Rothschild Species

Jul13

Creatures & Creations: Art by Platon H and designs by Mary Katrantzou inspired by Rothschild species, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, until 29^th October 2017 (Wed-Sun)

Lionel Walter Rothschild and a tortoise, early 20th century;
Waddesdon (Rothschild Family) Photo © National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

The inspiration for this exhibition that combines digital art, fashion and animal specimens is Walter, 2^nd Lord Rothschild and nephew of Waddesdon’s builder Ferdinand. Walter who lived at Tring Park. He was fascinated by natural sciences – birds, butterflies and giant tortoises. He even had zebras trained to draw his carriage. He was held in esteem and many species – creatures and plants – were named after him and known as ‘Rothschildi’.

Creatures & Creations, Waddesdon Manor.
Photo Derek Pelling (c) National Trust, Waddesdon Manor

Designs by Mary Katrantzou, Creatures and Creations, Waddesdon Manor.
Photo Mike Fear (c) National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (50)

Fourteen Rothschild species – birds, butterflies and insects – have been the inspiration for the Greek artist Platon H’s digital collages which use their abstract natural patterns while the noted fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has created three couture gowns that celebrate the beauty of their nature. Combine this with specimens from the Natural History Museum at Tring, originally founded by Walter and opened in 1892 and it is an exhibition of wide appeal and imagination!

Galapagos Giant Tortoise from Tring Natural History Museum, Creatures and Creations, Waddesdon Manor.
Photo Mike Fear (c) National Trust, Waddesdon Manor (14)

waddesdon.org.uk

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring

‘A Cut Above’

May19

Pat Albeck – ‘A CUT ABOVE’, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, 89-91 Pimlico Road London SW1, 22nd – 27th May 2017

What better way could there be for Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler to celebrate Chelsea Flower Show Week in their Pimlico Road showrooms than with this display of paper flower collages by Pat Albeck. Well-known for her textile designs she has created these works using “a really sharp pair of nail scissors” and Italian coloured fine art paper to create these botanical studies. I am sure some of you will be reminded of pietra dura panels through the colour palette she uses.

www.sibylcolefax.com

The London Original Print Fair 2017

May2

The London Original Print Fair 2017, Main Galleries, Royal Academy of Arts, London W1 4^th – 7^th May 2017

General shot of the London Original Print Fair
Photographer credit: Benedict Johnson

This Fair always fascinates as it seamlessly combines prints from across the centuries, including newly published works by artists such as Brian Eno, Gillian Ayres, Tess J and Christopher Le Brun PRA. The talks programme includes the Annual Printmaking Talk by Cornelia Parker OBE RA and Gordon Samuel on the Grosvenor School. Definitely a place to go whether looking for works to hang on your walls or to start a collection.

Brian Eno,
Grapefruit, 2016.
Courtesy Paul Stolper, London

Claude Lorrain
Coast scene with an artist – Le dessinateur
Etching, circa 1638-41
Courtesy Christopher Mendez

Anish Kapoor
Blue Shadow 2013
Courtesy Lyndsey Ingram

Eric Ravilious,
Commander Looking Through the Periscope, 1941
Courtesy The Fine Art Society

Bridget Riley
Untitled 1962
Courtesy Karsten Schubert

http://www.londonprintfair.com

Battersea Spring

Mar3

Affordable Art Fair – Battersea Spring, Battersea Evolution, London SW11, 9^th – 12^th March 2017

Peep Show II by Kevin Hendley.
Oil on panel, 21 x 17cm.
from Cameron Contemporary Art at the Affordable Art Fair Battersea.

I am sure there is no need to tell you what a tempting mélange of artistic works in most disciplines awaits you at this Spring edition but I thought a gentle reminder may be welcome.

https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/battersea-spring

Rauschenberg

Feb4

Robert Rauschenberg, Tate Modern, The Eyal Ofer Galleries, until 2nd April 2017

Robert Rauschenberg
Untitled (double Rauschenberg)
ca. 1950
Robert Rauschenberg and Susan Weil
Monoprint: exposed blueprint paper
209.6 x 92.1 cm
Private collection

This important show on Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), organised in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art in New York, is comprehensive and reveals his ability to challenge and change boundaries whether in painting, sculpture, photography, print-making, technology or stage design and performance. One easily understands why he was the first American artist to win the Golden Lion for painting at the 1963 Venice Biennale.

Monogram
1955-59
Combine: oil, paper, fabric, printed reproductions, metal, wood, rubber shoe-heel, and tennis ball on two conjoined canvases with oil on taxidermied Angora goat with brass plaque and rubber tire on wood platform mounted on four casters
106.7 x 135.2 x 163.8 cm
Moderna Museet, Stockholm. Purchase with contribution from Moderna Museets Vänner/The Friends of Moderna Museet
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York

As the images here show this is really an exhibition that has to be experienced in order to fully understand Rauschenberg’s huge talent and drive to create with its continuing theme of performance and dance running throughout.

Robert Rauschenberg
Retroactive II
1964
Oil and silk-screen ink print on canvas
213.4 x 152.4 cm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Partial gift of Stefan T. Edlis and H. Gael Neeson
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York.
Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago

Robert Rauschenberg
Bed
1955
Combine painting: oil, pencil, toothpaste, and red fingernail polish on pillow, quilt (previously owned by the artist Dorothea Rockburne), and bedsheet mounted on wood supports
191.1 x 80 x 20.3 cm
The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Gift of Leo Castelli in honour of Aldred H. Barr, Jr.
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York
Image: The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, F

www.tate.org

BOOK REVIEW: Beautiful People of the Café Society

Dec13

Beautiful People of the Café Society

Scrapbooks by the Baron de Cabrol

Written by Baron de Cabrol, Text by Thierry Coudert

Publisher: Flammarion

ISBN: 978-2-08-020271-0

£75

The Baron de Cabrol’s legendary scrapbooks take us into an exciting era of glamour and style combined with extravagance and decadence. It is the world of cosmopolitan café society from 1938 to the 60s amusingly brought to life by through collages, watercolours and archival documents, Daisy and Fred de Cabrol were one of the leading society couples of their era and knew everybody worth knowing.

Bal de Têtes” at the Cabrols, March 25, 1949.
© Fred de Cabrol, from Beautiful People of the Café Society (Flammarion, 2016)

In this riveting social history we encounter the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Arturo Lopez-Willshaw and his wife Patricia, Pamela Harriman, Charles de Beistegui, Cecil Beaton, Diana and Duff Cooper, Mona Bismarck and many, many others. This is a wonderful trip into a vanished world – those were the days!

Bobsy Carvalho’s Venetian ball, given in 1948 at the Deligny swimming pool. To the left is Daisy de Cabrol, to the right, Fred de Cabrol and the Baroness de l’Espée, and in the center, Bobsy Carvalho.
© Fred de Cabrol, from Beautiful People of the Café Society (Flammarion, 2016).

http://editions.flammarion.com/

WWII WAR PICTURES

Nov6

WWII War Pictures by British Artists, Morley Gallery, Morley College, 62 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1, until 23^rd November 2016

James Hammond Harwood (1904-1980)
Barrage Balloon, 1940
Framed (ref: 7674)
Signed and dated
Watercolour
14 ¼ x 17 ¼ in. (36 x 44 cm)

It is appropriate that Liss Llewellyn Fine Art should hold this exhibition at the Morley Gallery for the College had some very beautiful British murals which were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War.

Mary Adshead (1904 – 1995)
Farmers ploughing, Study for The World’s Food mural, c. 1942
Framed (ref: 5282)
Signed, squared in pencil
Watercolour over pencil
4 3/8 x 7 1/2 in. (12.2 x 19 cm)

In 1939 the Ministry of Information set up the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC) under the chairmanship of Kenneth Clark who was the National Gallery’s Director and the WAAC were asked to ‘draw up a list of artists qualified to record the war at home and abroad’. In the end some four hundred and three artists were commissioned to record all aspects of the War.

Hubert Arthur Finney (1905-1991)
Self portrait, 1945
Framed (ref: 7654)
Pastel,
17 5/8 x 14 1/8 in. (45 x 36 cm)

An eight volume series of pocket-sized pamphlets – War Pictures by British Artists – was published in two sets of four in 1942 (War at Sea, RAF, Army, and Blitz ) and 1943 (Soldiers, Production, Air Raids and Women) to great success despite the poor quality of the printing. This exhibition includes many of these WAAC artworks as well as those produced by other artists and illustrators who were working privately.

Ethel Leontine Gabain (1883-1950)
Captain Pauline Gower of the Women’s Air Transport Auxiliary
Framed (ref: 7607)
Lithographic print from the series Women’s Work in the War (Other than the Services), published by The Ministry of Information: His Majesty’s Stationery Office
14 7/8 x 19 3/4 in. (37.8 x 50.2 cm.)
Reference: Wright supplement 314

The combination of these works provides us with an exhibition that embraces all aspects of the War and brings the period to life before our eyes. It reminds us of the debt we owe those people in the forces and at home who did their bit unflinchingly. The exhibition is accompanied by an excellent catalogue.

James Walker Tucker ((1898-1972))
Letters from Home
Framed (ref: 7671)
Signed
Watercolour on paper
14 ¼ x 20 ½ in. (36 x 52 cm)

http://www.llfa.gallery

James Woodford (1893–1976)
Dawn Chorus, 1946-7
Unframed (ref: 7581)
Original plaster maquette, with a dark green finish, signed and dated 1946-7, and (titled on a label)
17 x 16 ins. (43 x 40.5 cm)

Frieze London 2016

Oct5

Frieze London, The Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NR, (the entrance is off Park Square West), 6^th-9^th October 2016

Pilar Corrias Gallery
Shahzia Sikander
Singing Suns, 2016
HD-Video Animation music by Du Yun
3’24”

This year’s Frieze is a week earlier than usual and it and the accompanying Frieze Masters as well as the other Fairs taking place will make London an art lovers dream destination. Over a hundred and sixty specialist contemporary galleries from around the world are taking part and there will be a new section The Nineties where major, influential exhibitions from that era will be recalled. The popular Focus and Live sections will also be making a welcome return.

Marian Goodman Gallery
William Kentridge
Sister Box, part of the Three Sisters series.
Bronze
Courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, New York, Paris & London

The Director of Frieze Fairs, Victoria Siddall, sums it up saying: ‘Frieze has become known for its strong curated sections and this year I am particularly excited to see Nicolas Trembley’s selection of artists who changed the conversation in the 1990s. This adds to the great range and diversity of work shown throughout the fair by the world’s leading galleries. I am also thrilled that we will have two official museum acquisition funds at the fair this year, including the Frieze Tate Fund – this was used to purchase Tate’s first-ever performance work at Frieze Art Fair 2004, Roman Ondák’s Queue, which was shown for the recent opening of the new extension. In the fair’s non-profit programme, Raphael Gygax will give a new perspective on Frieze Projects, contributing to the many elements which will make this an unmissable week.’

Stephen Friedman Gallery
Juan Araujo
‘Goethe’s Triangle’ 2016
Oil on canvas
40 x 30cm
(15 3/4 x 11 7/8in)
Copyright the artist. Courtesy the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London. Photography: Bruno Lopes

The popular Sculpture Park in The Regent Park’s English Gardens will have eighteen works on display (this year they will be on view until 8^th January 2017). Clare Lilley (Director of Programme at Yorkshire Sculpture Park) who has both chosen and placed the works said: ‘From the contemplative and ephemeral to the robust and monumental, the exhibition includes the park’s first-ever conceptual work – a remaking of a rare 1969 piece by Ed Herring – and classic painted sculptures by Claes Oldenburg and Jean Dubuffet alongside a newly created work by Eddie Martinez.

Frieze Sculpture Park
Claes Oldenburg, ‘Fagend Study’ (1975).
Courtesy Luxembourg & Dayan

British post-war artists are represented by Eduardo Paolozzi, Barry Flanagan and Lynn Chadwick, whilst young and established international artists Nairy Baghramian, Zeng Fanzhi, Claude Lalanne, Huang Rui, Jose Dávila, Matthew Monahan and Goshka Macuga amplify the selection.

Mikayel Ohanjanyan, Renato Nicolodi, and Fernando Casasempere each offer newly made works, as does Conrad Shawcross, whose six-metre-high steel sculpture is a study for his major 2016 commission for the Greenwich Peninsula, while Henry Krokatsis’s imaginary sauna-shed reflects the traditional bandstands and shelters found in London’s parks.’

The exhibition will captivate and energise both Frieze and Park visitors and I’m gratified that Camden Council has again agreed to extend the end date until January 2017, giving Londoners a wonderful cultural resource over the winter months.’

Lisson Gallery
SIER160001-2
Santiago Sierra
Línea de 30 cm Tatuada Sobre Una Persona Remunerada, Calle Regina # 51, Mexico D.F., Mayo 1998 / Person paid to have a 30 cm line tattoed on them, Regina Street # 51, Mexico City,May 1998, 2016
Black and White print
211 x 150 cm, 83 x 59 in
© Santiago Sierra; Courtesy of Lisson Gallery

Timothy Taylor
Eddie MartinezUntitled, 2013
Oil paint and enamel on bronze 16.5 x 16.5 x 7.6 cm
©Eddie Martinez, courtesy Timothy Taylor, London
Photo: Kristy Leibowitz

303 Gallery
The Nineties: Karen Kilimnik
My blue pinafore sundress

CHEWDAY’S
Female figure
Marble
4500 – 4000 BC.
H. 8 7/16 in. (21.4 cm)
Courtesy CHEWDAY’S, London

Hauser & Wirth
Louise Bourgeois
Echo IV
2007
Bronze painted white, and steel
91.4 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm / 36 x 12 x 12 in
© The Easton Foundation / DACS, London
Courtesy the Foundation and Hauser & Wirth
Photo: Christopher Burke

Chi-Wen Gallery
《超距作用》Action at a Distance
Three Channel Video Installation | Color, B&W | Stereo | 9min 16sec | 2015
Image Credit: Courtesy of the artist and Chi-Wen Gallery

Proyectos Ultravioleta
Vivian Suter
Untitled
Mixed media on canvas, n.d.
171 x 121 cm
Installation view of Monstera Deliciosa
Proyectos Ultravioleta, June 2016
Courtesy of the Artist and Proyectos Ultravioleta

Laura Bartlett Gallery,
Sol Calero
Solo Pintura, 2016
Acrylic and mosaic on canvas
152 x 122.5 x 3 cm
59 7/8 x 48 1/4 x 1 1/8 in
Courtesy Laura Bartlett Gallery, London

frieze.com/fairs/frieze-london

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