BOOK REVIEW: London Theatres

LONDON THEATRES

by Michael Coveney (Author), Mark Rylance (Foreword), Peter Dazeley (Photographer)

Frances Lincoln

ISBN: 9780711238619

£30

This sumptuous book which explores a selection of London theatres is a must for theatre lovers everywhere.

It does not confine itself simply to the West End but also takes in architectural gems such as the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Hackney Empire. More intimate theatres like the Almeida and the Donmar are also included as well as hidden gems such as the Alexandra Palace Theatre.

It is also extremely useful when booking tickets online as you can have a look at the book and see the exact location of your seat whilst also admiring the surroundings in which you will find yourself.

http://www.quartoknows.com/Frances-Lincoln

I am grateful to John Kirkwood for reading and writing about this book

Nature Morte

Sep26

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

Next Sunday in Church Street NW8 – 24th September 2017

Sep17

Antiques Anonymous – An Art, Antiques & Design Flea Market, Church Street, London NW8, 24th September 2017, 11am – 5pm

In times of change in the world of Art & Antiques around the capital – Portobello Road, Spitalfields, Burlington Arcade and Grays – it is a positive delight to be able to tell you about this new venture in the Antique quarter of Church Street, NW8.

Pair of Stone Carved Lamps by Albert Tormos. Stephen Sprake.

Coinciding with the last day of the London Design Festival this inaugural Flea Market will feature more than fifty dealers from NW8 and around and should prove to be a fruitful place to shop wherever your interests lie.

1950s wheat sheaf gilt table. Samaya Ling Vintage.

It highlights the long role of Alfies Antique Market in forming a hub which has attracted many other dealers to open up in what is a ‘must’ destination of those attracted by things vintage and contemporary. One can quite understand why eighty dealers in the area have come together to form Antiques Anonymous.

As well as being sponsored by Alfies, Westminster City Council are also supporting it. Their spokesperson said: : “We are pleased to be working with Antiques Anonymous, to bring this Antiques, Art and Design Flea market to Church Street NW8. There has already been a great deal of interest in this first event, and I’d encourage people to visit this diverse and vibrant part of London to give it their support so that it can become a regular event on the London event calendar.”

Fornasetti 1950s brass and red lacquered ice bucket – Cupio Gallery at Alfies

PS: Street Food will be available too – so no excuse not to take your time and spend lots on things for your home!

www.antiquesanonymous.london/

#AntiquesAnonymousLondon #JoinAA #ChurchStreetFlea

Alfies Antique Market

THE LAPADA FAIR 2017

Sep13

LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1, 15th-20th September 2017

Once again Mayfair’s Berkeley Square plays host to the LAPADA Fair – can you believe it’s their ninth year there, time really does go by quickly?

Among the 110 plus participants at the fair bringing a tempting mixture of art and antiques from all periods is Mackinnon Fine Furniture and I thought you would be interested to see this pair of George II chairs known as the Newhailes House Armchairs which they are showing at the Fair. Dating from c1750-55 their mahogany frames are beautifully carved and pierced and have Chinoiserie stretchers. They are upholstered in their original signed Aubusson tapestry covers.

The chairs, originally a set of four, were acquired by the first Lord Hailes at a sale of the contents of his aunt’s house in Greek Street and remained at Newhailes House until c1928. They were in various American collections, including the Walter P Chrysler Collection.

Slightly earlier in date are these very important George II mahogany armchairs of c1745 which come from Warwick Castle and were part of suite acquired in the 18^th century for the castle and where some can still be seen in the Cedar Drawing Room. They are upholstered in early 18^th century Genoese silk velvet.

Whoever buys these chairs is going to be very lucky and have many years pleasure in owning them.

www.mackinnonfineart.com

http://lapadalondon.com

The 2017 20/21 British Art Fair

Sep11

The 20/21 British Art Fair, Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1, 13^th– 17^th September 2017

Rose Hilton – Self Portrait with Model,
Oil on Canvas, 72 x 92 cm.

After a year’s absence – its old venue was no longer available – this popular Fair returns to central London. Its new venue is the Mall Galleries so very central indeed.

Ken Smith – Free Fall,
Hopton Wood Stone, 25 x 10 x 10 cm

The thirty-three leading dealers taking part bring a fine selection of works, especially Modern and Post War pieces. I have taken this opportunity to show some works from Messum’s who were founded in 1963 and specialise in paintings and sculpture.

David Blackburn (1939 – 2016) Gasometer and Orange Sky,
Pastel, 37 x 41 cm

http://www.britishartfair.co.uk

The New Artist Fair

Sep6

The New Artist Fair, The Old Truman Brewery, Ely’s Yard, London E1 6QR, 8^th – 10^th September 2017

PhotoX First Prize
Matthew Joseph
River People, Louis

Next weekend this Fair returns for the seventh year to the Old Truman Brewery bringing with it the opportunity to buy directly from emerging painters, sculptors, print makers and photographers. With prices ranging from £50 to £2,000 it provides an opportunity to dip your toes into the world of art collecting. It’s certainly fun!

Friday 8^th: 6pm to 9pm (ticketed) Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th: 12pm to 6pm (free entry)

Rian Hotton
Brockwell Lido

www.newartistfair.com

OUT & ABOUT: Bowman Sculpture

Sep4

Wind Head
Emily Young
(British, Born 1951)
Mountain Clastic Rock
Unique
Height: 29 1/2 inches (75 cm)
Conceived and carved in 2013

St James’s Church in Piccadilly plays host to an exhibition of eight sculptures by Emily Young. They can be seen in the churchyard and adjoining Southwood Garden. The sculptor’s travels around the world are reflected in these pieces and one can only admire how she brings out the character and qualities of the stone through her carving. They can be seen until 10^th January 2018.

Cautha
Emily Young
(British, Born 1951)
Clastic Onyx
Unique
Height 43 1/2 inches (110 cm)

www.sjp.org.uk

www.bowmansculpture.com

Tribal Art London 2017

Sep3

Tribal Art London, Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1, 6^th – 9^th September 2017

Joss Graham Gallery
Lau Witikau (woman’s tubular skirt) Sumba. Antique beads, shell. 20th
century

Tribal Art London has certainly grown in the ten years it has been going and will have a record twenty-three exhibitors this time. On the 9^th there is a day of events and lectures on the subject of tribal tattoos. The wide appeal of these pieces to all generations is highlighted in the nearby RA exhibition Matisse in the Studio (see 21/08/2017) where one can discover the African textiles, sculptures and masks which Matisse both collected and found as a source of inspiration. Get inspired yourselves – you won’t regret it.

David Malik
Superb Lwena Staff
Angola or Zambia

Marcuson & Hall
A Burnished Terracotta Pot, 20th century
Nyoro tribe,Uganda,
Height: 23 cms

Kezhia Orege
Zulu beads, mid-19th century

Tribalartlondon.com

Ian Shaw
Suruku dance Mask
Bamana people of Southern Mali, 1920s

http://www.royalacademy.org.uk

“It’s Art Call 2017” Winner Solo Exhibition

Aug31

“It’s Art Call 2017” Winner Solo Exhibition, D Contemporary Gallery 23 Grafton Street London W1, 31^st August-9^th September 2017

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Attention Seeker’
Mixed media on board

Last year saw the launch of the new prize “It’s Art Call” by D Contemporary in collaboration with The Cult House which offers emerging artists the chance to exhibit at a Mayfair gallery.

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Haphazard’
Mixed media on panel

This year’s winner is Ian Rayer-Smith who says of his work: “I like my paintings to carry an emotional charge, not only in its subject matter but also through the energy and visceral nature of the materials I use. Soft and amorphous, they accentuate the tactile feel of nature, avoiding any sense of repetition so as to constantly offer something new”

Hope you can get along to see them for yourself!

Ian Rayer-Smith
‘Hopper’
Mixed media on board

http://ianrayersmith.com/

http://dcontemporary.com/its-art-call-2017-solo-exhibition/

OUT & ABOUT – Ben Brown Fine Arts

Aug30

Rob and Nick Carter – Bronze Oak Grove after Jacob de Gheyn
Photo credit: Tom Carter, 2017.
© the Artist. Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts, London.

Inspired by the Dutch artist Jacob de Gheyn II (1565–1629) Rob and Nick Carter have used modern technology to create this grove of nine patinated bronze tree stumps. They celebrate the ever-popular oak tree and are designed to be used interactively by the public for relaxation and contemplation. They can be found on the North Flower Walk in Kensington Gardens until 30^th September. The Marlborough Gate is the best entrance to use.