Magritte’s surrealistic ideas of the mid twentieth century epitomise’s that period’s growing interrelationship between language and visual representation. It is my favourite and easiest example to see how philosophy’s obsession with language and truth filters into the visual arts. “This is not a pipe”, Magritte says but it clearly is… and then again it is…
A Venice Retrospective – Two Years Ago, Tintoretto, Titian & Bellini.
It is two years since I was in Venice for the autumn term studying medieval tombs and contemporary art. Pre pandemic it seemed a different time with the only things to worry about being floods and industrial action from the lecturers. Hey Ho – what’s new. But it did make me think about the wonderful…
Bridget Riley talks to Kirsty Walk about her art on television
Compton Verney in Warwickshire provided a very enjoyable visit three years ago, taking in Op Art and some wonderful works by Bridget Riley. Her works were also a very valuable artistic juxtaposition to the Barbara Hepworth retrospective we visited in Wakefield earlier this year. So it was a great delight finding her being interviewed by…
Bill Woodrow and Richard Deacon at The Icon Gallery in Birmingham
Shared drawing with paint & ink features in my new header. Bill Woodrow and Richard Deacon have been working in collaboration since the 1990s, mainly in sculpture. Their methodology is either to work in the same studio on a sculpture or drawing or exchange versions allowing the work to evolve. I Can’t Stand The Rain is…
Peter Paul Rubens and my Painting of the Month for November – A Carmelite Prior.
What is good art? Since I have been studying art I have often been asked this question and of course there is no real answer. But many years ago a critic gave me a clue. He said for art to touch the inner self it should be strong in three characteristics; namely technique, originality and…
Anish Kapoor New Paintings at Modern Art Oxford
The Museum of Modern Art in Oxford has a long history of displaying established artists as well as up and coming talent. The exhibitions range from those that resemble the morning after the art school party to those of sheer emotional brilliance. The current exhibition, Painting, is definitely in the latter category, showcasing new works…
Bayeux Tapestry loan to UK in Jeopardy
The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the great works of romanesque art was due to come to the UK in 2022 as reported on this blog in January. It now looks like the loan will not take place as a condition survey revealed the extent of its damage is greater than believed. The original plan was…
Dante: The Invention of Celebrity at Oxford.
The Ashmolean occasionally stages a small specialised exhibition in its Gallery 8. I was drawn to this as it focussed on Dante Alighieri (c1265-1321), the great politician, philosopher and, of course, poet of early Renaissance Florence. I do like these one room exhibitions where one can enjoy and appreciate the work of the curator without…
Manifesting the Unseen. Contemporary Islamic Art.
Southampton is a City I have not visited for a while – June 2018 in fact when The City Gallery was recommended to me by a friend. Looking through the ‘Whats On’ guide I saw Manifesting the Unseen, a celebration of Islamic Art, which I noticed finishes this weekend so I had to make haste….
John Piper, Venice, October Painting of the Month
John Piper (1903-1992) has works gracing many art galleries and museums. The Tate alone holds no less than 180 of his works. He was a painter, printer and designer of stained glass and most of his works are representative of the British landscape or churches. Southampton City Art Gallery holds a truly exquisite painting of…
White Box Art Channel 