June Arts Newsletter
Lost Gardens of Heligan #1, oil on canvas, 87x107cm framed See on website
The May heatwave means it has felt quite June-ish for a while and everyone has slipped into Summer mode. I have been busy in the studio with work for an exhibition next month in Henley and I’ve also been able to start on the Lost Gardens of Heligan series that I’ve been wanting to get to for a while. If you are going to Cornwall this Summer, do consider going, they are gorgeous.
There has been a lot of art in the news over the past month. There have been multiple controversies at the Venice Biennale; mass resignation from the international jury, protests around Israel’s presence and backlash of Russia’s return to the show. The Russian pavilion has since been closed to visitors.
Closer to home a Banksy statue appeared overnight in Waterloo Place. It depicts a man blinded by a flag he is carrying about to fall off his plinth. Westminster Council have confirmed this is not a permitted statue. However, they don’t seem in an hurry to move it. Indeed with this speed of accomplishment, can someone please point Banksy in the direction of Hammersmith Bridge and HS2?
There are lots of good exhibitions on - an added incentive being that our big museums are usually a deliciously cool contrast to the city heat.
Exhibitions to see this month
Hepworth in Colour
This exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery explores Barabara Hepworth’s use of colour in her sculptures. She used colours in unexpected ways to bring moments of surprise in her beautiful and harmonious sculptures. I love her work and am really looking forward to this show. The Courtauld special exhibitions tend to be petite and perfectly formed, always a treat.
Courtauld Gallery 12June - 6Sept
Another Cornwall recommendation is The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden set in her studio - it’s stunning.
James McNeill Whistler
Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1, 1871
In recent years many of the Tate shows have seemed a bit like hard work. Over the past few seasons, however, they have pulled out some absolute corkers. This Whistler show is no exception and is one of this Summer’s blockbusters.
A somewhat divisive character, the American painter both delighted and scandalised late Victorian London. From his stunningly dour portrait of his mother, to his evocations of industry in the city to his abstract-leaning ‘Nocturnes’ there is a lot of fantastic painting to see in this show. Towards the end of his time in London, Whistler ruined himself financially after an attempt at suing the art critic John Ruskin for libel for unfavourable reviews. Whistler had other altercations too and was eventually forced out of London society spending the last 20 years of his life roaming Europe. He really could paint though.
Tate Britain until 27 Sept
Michaelina Wautier
The Triumph of Baccus, 1650s
Michaelina Wautier (1614-1689) was a Flemish painter during the Baroque period and, until recently, her work has been misattributed to her male contemporaries, especially her brother Charles (pah). This exhibition at the RA brings Wautier to light for the extraordinary painter she was.
The Triumph of Baccus, pictured, was only attributed to Wautier in 2009 and is a monumental feat of painting. Especially given as a woman, she would not have had access to a formal painting education or life class. I would say it would be impossible to paint bodies like that without any real life observation, I’m not sure quite how she did it. I do love how Wautier has included herself looking out of the painting. Her floral paintings are punchy and lucious too. Fantastic.
Royal Academy until 21 June
We had a trip to Crete over half term. It was the perfect combination of beach, history (ancient city of Lato 7thC BCE, swoon) and amazing food. This was a quick watercolour sketch I did one lunchtime.
Perennial Border at Wisley (125x105cm) in window
I have some pieces in the lovely Wey Gallery in Godalming, do pop in if you are passing.
