British Folk Art

Yesterday I spent a lovely day in my favourite Capital City in the whole wide world ~ London!

My friend and I finally found time to go and see the Folk Art exhibition at Tate Britain, and it was well worth the wait.  

 

This Chicken is not quite so Cheery ~ it was made from discarded mutton bones by Napoleonic prisoners of war!

I've long been a fan of Folk Art, it has such a comfortable appeal. Unlike the grand splendour of Fine Art, Folk Art feels achievable ~ despite the obvious talent of the artisans and crafters exhibited, the rustic homeliness of their creations feels like something you could have a go at yourself, and even if you know perfectly well that your efforts will never be quite up to their standards you also know you will end up with something to be proud of.

Rainbow Roll of Honour

This embroidered cloth for example ~ a neatly stitched rainbow of the names of all those who were awarded the Victoria Cross in WWI. Simple yet stunning, and inspirational in more ways than one.

 

The Four Alls, a traditional pub sign. This version was painted c. 1850.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to sneak many photos without the guards rushing over so I guess you're going to have to go see for yourself the intricate needlepainitngs by Mary Linwood, the carved figureheads and shop signs, the beautifully constructed patchwork quilts.

British Folk Art will be on display at Tate Britain until 31st August. Go see it, you know you want to!

And Now For Something Completely Fabulous!

While our friends across the pond were celebrating their Independence Day, I was in our nation's capital celebrating one of the most talented and successful comedy teams of all time . . .

Monty Python!

With a combined age of 357, some critics questioned if the Python team reuniting was a good idea. I wondered the same thing myself. I'm a huge Python fan, but would this show be painful to watch or hilarious? And what about the 'One Down' - how would they get around missing the late Graham Chapman?

 

Well I was prepared to risk it, after all how many times are we likely to get this sort of opportunity?

I gladly spent a fortune at the merchandise stands scattered around the O2 ~ a programme was a must, and of course t-shirts! (I had to promise this would be the only time we would wear them in public together!)

Our seats were terrifyingly high up, they were the only ones I could afford! But once the lights dimmed and the show started I forgot how far the fall was, I was too busy laughing!
There was no way there was time for all the favourite sketches (there are just too many!) but of course there were Vikings, Spam, a Dead Parrot, a Lumberjack, Four Yorkshiremen, a Wink and a Nudge, and everybody expected the Spanish Inquisition! There was a Penguin on the Telly, Ann Elk shared her latest theory, and a special celebrity surprise on Blackmail.

The on-stage sketches were interspersed with dance routines (and chorus scenes, and footwork im-pecc-able!) and on screen snippets of old sketches and Gilliam's wonderful animation, including one of my personal favourites, Conrad Poohs and his Dancing Teeth!
       

The big screens were put to great use while costume changes were made ~ Brian Cox came on screen to explain the factual inaccuracies of the Galaxy Song, but it was ok because Stephen Hawking ran him over and even sang a few lines! As well as appearing in a few of the old sketches, Graham Chapman occasionally popped on screen to warn us when things were getting too silly, and even kicked off the final number - Christmas in Heaven.

The occasional fluffed line and corpsing Python only added to the joy of seeing five comedy geniuses enjoying what they do best. If you can get hold of a ticket for one of the remaining shows, I urge you to do so. If not, you can watch their very last show in cinemas around the country on 20th July.
Now . . .



Pop Art Design

Yesterday I enjoyed my first exhibition of the year, and on my birthday too! The Barbican Centre, a large sprawling collection of arts venues (which I found a little confusing to navigate!) was holding a Pop Art Design exhibition.


 

Being about the beginnings of Pop Art, and how the movement was adopted and incorporated into Design, there were of course plenty of works by Roy Lichtenstein, Eduardo Paolozzi, Peter Blake, and Charles and Ray Eames.
There were several Warhol pieces. Hardly surprising, as the guy seemed to churn out work at a seemingly industrial rate, hence the name The Factory, I guess! I'm not a big fan of his stuff, but it certainly defines the movement.


Close Cover Before Striking

Studio 65 was well represented too, this sofa was one of my faves:


Leonardo

I liked Jann Haworth's pieces. Her calico Cowboy freaks me out a li'l bit, it's just a tad too Westworld for me! But this fabric work was a real feast for the eyes, I even set the alarms off leaning across to check out the needlework on the comic book ~ oops!



Donuts, Coffee Cups & Comics

These paper earring kits were pretty cool, they definitely appealed to the crafter in me and I loved the packaging.


And of course, as with every exhibition I go to, I discovered a new artist whose work turned out to be my highlight of the show. This time around it seemed that every time I was drawn towards a particular work the name attached to it was the same . . . Alexander Girard.

 

His stunning use of colour, adorable folksy images, and gorgeous typefaces, had me gasping with joy.  

 

Although he is best known for his textile work, he was also an architect, as well as a designer of furniture and interiors. I can tell I am going to be looking for affordable versions of his work, and I definitely want to see if I can get hold of some of his fonts.

 

The exhibition finishes on 9th February so if you're interested you'll need to go soon. It is also part of the 2for1 entry deal available with your rail ticket, so it makes for a pretty good value day out.

Arty Chalk and Cheese

This weekend was another culture-fest for this Cheery Chicken ~ a delightful day trip to London. We toured Buckingham Palace, saw two art exhibitions, and even stumbled across sixty of the world's rarest cars as they roared and purred away from the Concours of Elegance at St James's Palace. Vrooom!
But as usual with art exhibitions, it was the artists I didn't expect to see that made the lasting impressions. We had tickets to see the Vermeer exhibition at the National Gallery but as we walked into Trafalgar Square we saw banners outside Canada House advertising Inuit Ullumi ~ an exhibition of contemporary Inuit art. It was free (hoorah!) so we popped in, and I'm very glad we did. There were only a handful of paintings, drawings and sculptures, but there was some amazing work there. Tim Pitsiulak's Ancient Aqviqs and Whale Hunt, and Itee Pootoogook's Cape Dorset at Night were among my favourites.

Ancient Aqviqs - Tim Pitsiulak
 

Whale Hunt - Tim Pitsiulak
 

Cape Dorset at night - Itee PootooGook

The works were a pleasantly modern take on folk art, in particular Pitseolak Qimirpik's sculpture Young Man Playing MP3, which could be mistaken for an ancient carving were it not for the MP3 player and smouldering cigarette propped between the smiling figure's fingers (Just Say No, kids!)



Young Man Playing MP3 - Pitseolak Qimirpik

After the refreshing Inuit surprise, we headed on to the National Gallery to see the Vermeer exhibition ~ talk about Chalk and Cheese! Although there were only four of Vermeer's paintings (no Girl with a Pearl Earring, sad face) there were heaps of other Dutch artists, and a collection of 17th century instruments ~ guitars, virginals and lutes. We even got to hear them played, as musicians from the Academy of Ancient Music gave regular performances of 17th century music.

My favourite painting of the exhibition was this one: 



The Concert - Hendrik ter Brugghen

Although the Vermeers were exquisite, it was the composition of ter Brugghen's The Concert that captured my attention. Such an intimate family gathering, cosily lit by a single candle, you can just picture this little family passing the winter evenings in song together.

 

The exhibition also included a fascinating display of photomicrographs (extreme close-ups to you and I) showing some of the materials and techniques Vermeer used to create his masterpieces, and how time has changed them.

 

Unfortunately this exhibition is finished now, but you can read about it on the National Gallery website. 



Inuit Ullumi, however, is on until 30th September. It's small but sweet, and I highly recommend you pop in if you're in the neighbourhood.

Going Underground ~ the culture continues!

Well it seems that this Easter break has been one long cultural experience! The latest exhibition I visited was at the London Transport Museum ~ Poster Art 150, 150 of their finest Underground Posters to celebrate 150 years of the London Underground.
Those of you who are avid readers may remember me mentioning my love of vintage travel posters in my post about the artist Daphne Padden. So I'm sure you can imagine how I was almost hyperventilating with joy as I wandered slowly around the displays. Each corner I turned brought a new delight, a fresh gasp of astonishment. The range of styles is astounding, from some incredible artists such as Mabel Lucie Atwell, Edward McKnight Kauffer, and Man Ray. 

 

This letterpress poster dates from 1886. I love the typography, and those fabulous Pythonesque pointing hands!

 

 

 

I adore this Russian Constructivist style. 

 

 

 

This was designed by textile artist Margaret Calkin, wouldn't you just love it as a tea towel?

 

 

 

Fabulous Flamingos, wish I could have seen them by floodlight!

 

 

Good advice!

 

 

 

 And as it was between 10 and 4, I bought the t-shirt of this one! I love the bold lines and colours, and I'm a big archery fan so how could I refuse!

 

There are SO many more beautiful posters I just didn't have room for, or get good shots of. The exhibition is on until 27th October so if you can get to London I really recommend it.
If you really can't get to the exhibition itself, there is a great book available from their online shop, and most of the posters are available to order as prints in a variety of sizes.

A Really Good Friday ~ Part Two



After a cup of  Earl Grey and a gooey chocolate brownie to recover from the cultural whirlwind of the Bowie exhibition, my friend and I went across town to the Fashion and Textile Museum, to an exhibition of Kaffe Fassett's work.

 

Kaffe Fassett is an American artist and textile designer who has lived in London since the 60's. He started out as a painter, but after a trip to Scotland was inspired by the colours and textures of the yarns he saw in a local shop and persuaded a fellow train passenger to teach him to knit on the journey home. This was the result:

 

 

Not bad for a first attempt, eh!

 

His use of colour is fabulous, matching tones and textures perfectly. 

 

This is a quilt made from men's shirts:

We so often see heirloom quilts that are feminine, what a fabulous keepsake to make for a son!

This quilt blew me away:

Again, the tones are perfect. But what struck me most with this was how the circular quilting on top of the hexagonal patchwork changed the look of the quilt.

Here you can see how his needlepoint designs have been influenced by blue china:

and by the natural world:

 

Kaffe Fassett - A Life in Colour runs until 29th of June. As well as the knitting, quilting and needlepoint mentioned above, there are also examples of his printed fabric designs (and if Cath Kidston wasn't heavily influenced by this guy then I'll eat my embroidery hoop!) and documentary footage of him discussing his work and sources of inspiration.

 

If you love any kind of stitching, I can guarantee you will come away from this exhibition with a head full of ideas, and I recommend you do like Kaffe and take some yarn for the train ride home!

A Really Good Friday ~ Part One

On Good Friday I went to London for one of the most inspirational days out I have ever experienced.

The day began, bright and clear, with a humungous queue outside the Victoria and Albert Museum.

 And what were we all queuing for? The David Bowie is exhibition, a vast collection of  handwritten lyrics, original costumes, photograph, video, set designs, and the Thin White Duke’s own instruments and artwork. The exhibition charts Bowie's career, including influences and inspirations from other artists such as Gilbert and George, Iggy Pop and Kansai Yamamoto, and from cultural influences from such diverse locations as Japan and Germany. A set of headphones, free with your entry fee, insulates and immerses you into the sights and sounds of the exhibition, and I spent almost three awe-inspiring hours wandering the cluttered maze of exhibits before reluctantly emerging, shaken and dazed, and full of fanciful ideas of quitting my job, bleaching my hair white and enrolling in an art degree.

 

Unfortunately the only photo I could take was the one of the queue, as photography and sketching (?!) were strictly forbidden, but you can find out more about it on the V&A website here. The exhibition is on until 11th August. If you have any way of getting to London to see it I really recommend that you do. But be prepared to feel some ch-ch-ch-ch-changes . . . .

 

Queen and Garden

Yesterday a friend and I took the kids to London to see a special exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery ~ The Queen: Art and Image. This exhibition has been put together to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and contains photographs and paintings of Her Majesty from the 50's through to the present day.

Dorothy Wilding's portrait is one of my favourites. Seeing it up close you can even see the brush strokes on the image.

Pietro Annigoni's Renaissance style protrait was inspired by an observation the Queen made while he was making preparatory sketches "When I was a little child, it always delighted me to look out of the window and see the people and traffic going by." To me, this painting is a poignant reminder of how a young woman was held seperate from the rest of us, and became a symbol for our nation.

 

 

In sharp contrast, Eve Arnold's portrait is one of sheer unselfconscious joy. Who says rain can't be a delight?!

 

I love this image of the Queen cradling Prince Andrew. Partly because it shows Her Majesty as a woman and mother, but I also adore the loving yet protective embrace she holds him in.

 

 

 

The final portrait in the exhibition is this one by Annie Liebovitz. Similar to the Annigoni portrait it shows the Queen cloaked against a natural background. But in this photograph the Queen is facing us, making a connection with the viewer.

There are many more portraits at the exhibition, and even more in the catalogue which also features a timeline chronicling the course of the Royal Family during Queen Elizabeth's reign so far. The exhibition is on until 21st October.

After lunch we walked up to Covent Garden for a wander around the markets. My son really enjoyed his first taste of Covent Garden and we had to stop and watch every street performer, from a balloon-swallowing magician to a knife-juggling heavy metal fan. We browsed the shops, my favourites being the Moomins Shop, and the oh-so shabby chic Sass & Belle, and the Apple Market, where we found this awesome t-shirt stall:

 Martin Eden is from Norfolk, and sells these airbrushed t-shirts exclusively at Covent Garden. My son loves his Pee and Poo shirt!

 And here I am with Flower Seller Mandeville, one of the many decorative Olympic Mascot sculptures that have been placed around the city.

There are 83 of these sculptures around London, each decorated to fit their location and placed on trails designed to encourage tourists to walk around the city and discover hidden gems and landmarks.

Hmm, I think I may have a plan for our next visit . . .