Friday, September 30, 2011

Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera

I travelled to Chichester today to see an exhibition of Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera's work. It was a great  exhibition. It had about 12 of Frida's fantastic paintings. There were also prints and drawings and some memorabilia.  I hadn't realised how small some of her works were. Much of the works had been painted with very fine brushes. There was an incredible amount of finely detailed work.



Her paintings are stunningly beautiful. Very rich.  Diego Ithink is better known for his political murals which must be quite amazing to see.

Another treat for me at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester was
the inclusion in the exhibition of several photograpihic
portraits of Frida by Nikolas Muray.    Absolutely superb!

The Pallant House Gallery is a gem! I was pleased I had travelled so far to visit. Till soon C x







Monday, September 26, 2011

Home

I will be travelling home this week. Arriving October 2 after a long flight and train trip.  I have completely worn out one of the 2 pairs of shoes I took with me.  I have covered quite some kilometres. I went to the Tate Modern a few days ago...a bit disappointing I thought.  I must be  a spoilt brat!   Maybe it's art overload?  Anyway I did see some Picassos and Dubuffet, Schwitters and Balthus works that were interesting.

After seeing their Jackson Pollock work....it made me realise how lucky we are to have the magnificent 'Blue Poles' at NGA.

I went to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, where there was an interesting collection of contemporary works.  Lots of plaster over chicken wire there.  (not my favourite form of sculpture).

My favourite work there was the work created with flouro tubes. You will see it on the following link:
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/current/sculpture_installation_views.htm      amongst other examples from the exhibition.  It was a very playful piece.

You can hire the gallery  there for a mere 47,000 pounds a week! So there's a thought!

The gallery itself is superb.  Each gallery space, of which there are 14, has an attendant who will talk to you about the artwork on display.   It has a very friendly atmosphere.

The exhibition of slabs of rock on metal stands was beautiful, and with small wire crosses on their tops, they evoked the mountainous landscape.....landscapes I have been travelling through recently.

Talk again soon. c x

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Back to London

I am back in London after a whirl wind trip around Italy, taking in all of my favourite places. On the way home we stopped over in Zermatt in the Swiss Alps. It was an extraordinary experience.

This is a view from Gornergrat in the Swiss Alps...3089m...looking over to the Matterhorn, (under cloud).  Photos taken by my son and I stitched them together to make this panorama. An amazing place.

Today I visited the British Museum to see an exhibition - "Treasures of Heaven" - saints, relics and devotion in medieval Europe.  A superb collection. I'm loving London!  

Till soon. c x

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Rome

Friday night Alan and I will arrive in Rome. It brings back so many memories of the time my mother and I travelled to Italy. It was so special. We often talk about it. Capri, Lake Como, Venice...and getting lost in Rome one night after visiting St Peters again. So proud of ourselves when we finally found our way back to our accommodation...thanks to a very few Italian words we knew and some very helpful locals. It was just a wonderful adventure! Wish you were here Mum!! c x

Monday, September 5, 2011

Paris

I have fallen in love with Paris. What a fabulous city. Lots of wonderful galleries to visit. Lunches in the park beneath the Eiffel Tower. Walks by the Seine. Markets, open air cafes, beautiful parks full of people enjoying Paris. Fabulous!

c x

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Video of Jip

I have so many people asking me about Brad Marsellos's video of Jip, that I thought I should share it again. It is a fantastic story. Thanks again Brad!!

cx

The accidental artist from ABC Open Wide Bay on Vimeo.