For my Art Events, We went to 3 separate locations. The TateMordern, Fitzwilliam and the Bank-side Gallery.
(These were the three art galleries we ended up visiting. Due to the time frame we had, I wasn’t able to find anything that more closely lined up, with what art I was going to do.)
Visiting the TateMordern:
There was not a lot of actual art work at the Tate which really interested me… I think that was partly because I have mixed feelings about modern art, some of it I like, some of it I don’t like. I also love bright/beautiful colours, The Tate, in general for me personally seemed subdued and lacking in colour in its different pieces. I did find it however, an interesting experience reading and looking at different ways artists were exploring and going further. Not being “conventional” in their art. But using it as an means, to express thoughts, questions and ideas. A lot of the art was expressed in different media to what I lean to. For example there was one artist that used film and light and one that used broken glass. These artists were not trying to communicate beauty but were considering the dystopian theme of brokenness, without restoration. (Not all of them of course, but quite a few).
“Artists often use colour to explore their thoughts or
feelings Their place in the world. Artists have tried to expand the way colour is used, from paint to film to new materials”
“Colours are attached to cultural labels, that are powerful”
These are some of the quotes I liked exploring colour! I like the expression “expanding the way colour is used”. And I think its interesting the way different colours do mean different things, in different cultures. One thing I notice going between England, and Africa is even the difference between the colour of people’s clothing. African (traditional) clothing is as a rule a lot more “vibrant” and “poppy”. They print their traditional cloths (pagne) often with lots of patterns, sometimes they are symbolic in meaning. Maybe to their particular people group/religion. Clothing, and the colour of it is definitely a part of their culture. I’d argue less so in England, because people have different ways of expressing their culture (and artwork) than by what they wear. Colours are muted with the rise of a beige palette in clothes and in interior design. I miss colour, colour always seems a celebration in Africa.
I did like seeing just how many different medians/techniques artists are using for their work now, there’s definitely a sense of exploration.
I found this piece quite interesting, done by a Chinese artist (Onoda Minoru),who made this piece using “Oil, gofun and glue on plywood.”
“…. For him, the systematic repetition of dots was a way to think mechanically. Through this technique he hoped to counter the subjectivity of action-based painting. Onoda was also responding to the industrialisation of Japan, during the post-war period. He found inspiration in the ‘vast meaningless’ of machine-made, identically duplicate objects….” I liked the different materials and the dot like marks, he used in creating this piece. And how this particular technique helped him express his feelings. Its interesting how different artists choose to express themselves!
The Snail, 1953, Henri Matisse.
This piece was created by cutting/tearing coloured paper painted with “gouache” and then stuck to a canvas.
“Matisse said of the technique that it ‘allows me to draw in the colour. It is a simplification for me. Instead of drawing the outline and putting the colour inside it – the one modifying the other – I draw straight into the colour’”.
I liked this piece, I think its very effective in its Simpleness. Unlike some pieces which for me personally, were too simple in their design. I didn’t like all the pieces, which were similar to this. I did not find them very attention catching. The defined edges and shapes, seemed very confining, and hard edged to me. Its an interesting idea he brings up, that he likes “drawing straight into the colour” and how for him, this is the way he likes expressing himself.
Visiting the Fitzwilliam ~
Again, the Fitzwilliam in Cambridge was a very interesting place to visit and explore!, But it didn’t have many paintings out when we went to visit… I
liked looking at some tapestries that they had though (some using silk
thread). I found that interesting, and the skill and time it takes
to create such a piece. It reminded me in a way of African Batik and
how it is also used for story-telling, and a way of expressing culture.
Here is one of the tapestries I saw it was huge!
Though
in the gift shop, I liked some of the silk scarves/other merchandise
that they had. I thought it was a really beautiful way to use silk in
clothing.
Visiting the Bankside Gallery ~
The bank-side gallery, over all was my favourite place we visited. I think it was basically all paintings. It had art styles and content that interested me personally, and that gave me ideas for different future pieces. I particularly enjoyed the water colour paintings, as they are similar to the kind of silk painting I want to do.
Definitely some of they styles displayed felt more like, how I want my silk painting to be. They had quite a few ocean/nature scenes. I liked the softness, and the unspoken invitation to dive into the nature scenes.
Linda Landers RE
Right Whale Fluke
I like this piece, It is fairly simple in its design. But as I’ve mentioned before, I quite like landscapes/seascapes. Its not “too in your face” rather it seems more restful, happy to be in the glorious moment of a whale flipping its tail.
I know these pieces, aren’t necessarily meant to be a set. But I like the idea of having mini pieces which all have the same theme. And art displayed together to make a set. The bottom right one, has a lot of texture, especially on the ocean surf. It is visually appealing to me. I like how it stands out, and really conveys the motion and spirit of ocean waves, with a few simple strokes.
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I really like the centre piece here. I think it would be a good idea for a silk piece, to have it as long hanging. It leaves room for your imagination to work. I like the softly blended colours. I enjoy it for its peacefulness, and beauty. We’re just being gently invited into these serene ocean scenes, the colours give us the thoughts and then we can design our own story to fit the painting. ——————————————–
The sky is just gorgeous in this piece! Such a lovely dreamy effect, with the mixed blues, yellows, and whites.
Some nice watercolour miniatures!
More nature scenes. . .
David Wiseman ARWS
River Brent Autumn Light
I found these pieces by David Wiseman quite fun. I think the colours are vibrant and joyful. And when you look closer at the paintings, its fun looking at all the different strokes he has used to convey how this river is in the autumn light. I think these pieces convey feeling, and emotion from the painter. He succeeded painting the river and more!
Charlotte Cornish ARE, Hithe I.
I like the lines, and the green spattering. I’m not a fan of the pink and orange background.
Denise Ballard-Wyllie ARE, Cherry Blossom Front: Fresh Spring Morning.
This piece really brings through to the viewer a “fresh spring morning”.The movement of the strokes (despite some of them being fairly simple), the dot like marks, and brusqueness of the brush marks bring though a busyness and sense of life.
To finish up a fun day, we enjoyed – Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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