Greenwich Revisted

****
It seems a life time ago since I counted myself as one of the residents of Greenwich, and in essence things have not changed (the Naval College, Museum, Royal Observatory and park). Turner and the Sea at the National Maritime Museum is well worth a visit. In the basement the works may be starved of natural light and a little crowded together, but still one is able to gain a wonderful overview of how the work developed and how it sits with the Dutch tradition of seascapes.

The Two Richards

** (Deacon) ***(*)(Hamilton)
Hamilton, and Deacon too, are both established stalwarts of British art. Whilst the former has been an important figure both nationally and internationally, the latter's work appears disjointed and arbitrary by comparison.

Homage No.2 (to Cardinal Borghese)

On an all to brief a walk in the gardens of the Villa Borghese I remember drawing by the statue of Byron. The soaring conifers planted by the cardinal reminiscent of 'The Great Pine' by Cezanne. The huge cone, bigger than both fists, now sits upon my desk as a constant reminder of Rome.

HOMAGES

Homage No. 1 (to Durer)

To draw from a painting (indeed it might be from a sculpture, print, drawing or absolutely anything) is perhaps the only way in which some of us truly see. Often one comes aways with a heightened understanding of the work; its surface, fine details and structure. Yet sometimes one gets lost in a particular place, loosing a sense of the whole but gaining a depth of experience which might otherwise be missed. My mind wanders sometimes, tangentially, making associations with past experiences and objects. But often the process is reversed; objects cause one to think of art and of artists, the associations frequently obvious, but sometimes cryptic and seemingly inane.

This is where the idea of a 'Homage' emerged. An object (or objects) that point or hint at a painting. Perhaps they are merely a series of personal indulgences. 'Homage No. 1 (to Durer)' stemming from an Exhibition of Durer etchings at the Lady Lever Gallery. A print of Adam and Eve pointed to the painting seen recently in the Prado. Eve the temptress with forbidden fruit. The peace of the garden and innocence of man about to be forsaken for all of eternity. 

The V&A

Spent the weekend in the Victoria & Albert and even though one of the cast rooms was closed my spirits are always raised by this marvellous collection. It might be just on the edge of the twenty minute radius offered by Boris Bikes from my usual SW1 stomping ground, but the frantic peddling is well worth it...not to mention a Sunday lunch to die for.

Take a look at Ling

If this is the best of contemporary painting then the Tate curators need to get out a little more. Simon Ling's work however, is worth exploring. Confident urban snapshots and thick vibrant colours; Ling is a painter's painter.

Houghton Revisted

*****(yes it was that good)
Arrived early on a Sunday Morning to catch the last day of of Houghton Revisited, before the paintings are boxed and shipped back to the Hermitage. Was this a once in a lifetime chance to see these works in their original setting? Did Catherine the Great get the art bargain of the millennium when acquiring Sir Robert Walpole's extraordinary collection?...the answer is surely yes to both questions.

Whilst waiting for the doors to open a local woman complained she had driven twelve miles that morning and why wasn't there a restaurant open for coffee. Trumping this, a couple said they had come up from London the night before especially to see the exhibition. Then it was the turn of a short, immaculately dressed man, speaking nonchalantly in a New York drawl, they had come over the pond from New York just yesterday...all was silent. I smirked and continued to draw the swelling crowd.