July Arts Newsletter

Thames Tributary, 50x60cm oil on canvas

Happy July! I write from a place of huge relief that the Alevels and GCSEs are now over. I feel like our household was in an exam plank for the past 3 months. Now it's time for fun.

I have three pieces (including above) which are being exhibited in the gallery in the Stewards enclosure at Henley Regatta, do pop in if you are going. All paintings need to be river or rowing themed which is a joy, I do like working to a brief.
I also have some pieces from my Garden series now exhibiting at The Wey Gallery in Godalming - it is lovely to be showing in new places. There are lots of new openings in the big galleries/ museums this month too, a few ideas to keep you busy below.

Exhibitions to see this month

Jenny Saville; The Anatomy of Painting is the first major retrospective of Saville's work which is surprising given how feted she was in the 1990s. I have always been a fan, particularly of her early work. It is interesting how scale plays such an important part to her painting. Scaled down to A2 size, your relationship with the painting would be pretty ordinary but these whoppers knock you out. National Portrait Gallery until 7 Sept

Kiefer/ Van Gogh directly pairs Van Gogh's Post-Impressionist work with Anselm Kiefer's 20th century history paintings. Kiefer, from Germany and now in his 80's, won a travel grant as an 18 year old to follow in VanGogh's footsteps - the impact can still be seen in his work now. Whilst Kiefer sometimes seems relentlessly bleak compare to Van Gogh's rollercoaster of emotions, this will be a really interesting show. Royal Academy until 26 Oct

Whilst you're at the RA The Summer exhibition is also on until 16 Aug

Yoshimoto Nara at the Hayward Gallery is a full retrospective of the Japanese painter's work. It is the largest exhibition of his work ever in the UK and includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations across his 40 year career. I appreciate the subtleties and dark side of Nara's work but I must admit that it really is not my thing. The teens seem to love it though, so maybe one for them to see on their own! Hayward Gallery until 31 Aug

Cosmic House is the extraordinary home of Charles Jencks, essentially the godfather of post-modern architecture and design in 1980s Britain. His Holland Park house is a homage to the movement and is filled with witty idiosyncratic design and symbolism. I visited last month and can really recommend. You have to be quick off the mark with booking though as it is only open 3 days per week for 30 people per day. Cosmic House

Thames Backwater with Lilypads
60x50cm oil on canvas
Also showing at Henley Regatta this week