Bank Holiday and the three Henrys

Spent a rather pleasant Monday at Tate Britain and ended up drawing in one of the Henry Moore rooms, after the most marvellous of light lunches in the members room. I thoroughly recommend the quiche lorraine and salad; simply but absolutely delicious (and if you're not a member simply ignore the stairs and head for the lift; this way one can easily sneak past the membership desk...everyone seems to do it...I thinks it's a deliberate Tate ploy to sell more cakes).

I also especially like what has been done to the Duveen Galleries. Are Phyllida Barlow's creations, entitled 'dock', good art? Probably not but they do make one smile...whilst simultaneous hoping that they might collapse.

Ceramics and Pie

A morning at the V&A continually interrupted by impromptu performance of Shakespeare; Ophelia, for example, waded through the quandrangle pond and Romeo and Juliet did their bit at the balcony in the Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery. Then, after another of those shockingly good pies was consumed for lunch, I sought the quiet sanctuary of the ceramics galleries.

Another view from a bridge

My four scraps of paper are rather less successful than last nights spectacle at the Young Vic, but I battle on and publish failures as well as successes.

A View From a Bridge

****

A stark yet powerful portrayal of what Sophocles might have produced if reincarnated to live in 1950s America. Strong performances from all and a lovely symmetry between beginning and end. Almost perfect but for the British American accents and a too puny a lad cast as Marco...no way could he empty a ship alone.

Crosby beach

A pleasant day meandering amongst the Anthony Gormley casts; my determination to produce half a dozen studies bettered by the wind and then by the rain. If you are ever in the vicinity I recommend Katie's Cafe for breakfast. If feeling brave one might even attempt the 'Big Dave' (half a pound of sausages, ten rashes of bacon, a dozen eggs, ten pieces of toast and a bucket of tea...well you get the picture).

Dante Alighieri

For all of those who've been listening to R4's adaptation of The Divine Comedy with John Hurt, I recommend a quiet moment in front of Henry Holiday's depiction of Dante, as he looks longingly at Beatrice passing by. Part of the wonderful permanent collection at the Walker.

Matisse at the Tate Modern

****
Give a man in wheelchair a pair of dressmaking scissors and some large sheets of brightly painted paper and, just over half a century later, the Tate can hold a retrospective. Simultaneously child-like  and sophisticated these cut-outs undoubtably act as a precursor  for much of twentieth century abstract art.