Yep, I know, another Latin title, you can take the boy out of grammar school but you can't take the ... etc, etc, etc... (and ten points to Gryffindor if you know the film in which 'etc, etc, etc. ..' is a significant line of dialogue). So, to business. Bank Square Artist's Market went well, in fact so well that I actually made a sale, don't get too excited, it was only a print, nevertheless it was a sale! Unfortunately I failed to book a pitch in time for the next one on Saturday October 15th however, if there's a cancellation or a no-show, I'll be there. Also planned are two Sunday markets in the run up to Christmas which are due to be held in the Pannier Market itself, I'll keep you posted on those.
RESURGAM also seemed to go well and wasn't the painful ordeal that I thought it might be (although it was preceded by a sleepless night of the 'what have I let myself in for?' variety). Public response was pretty encouraging and thanks to the marquee also hosting a photographic exhibition by a well known BBC Radio Devon presenter there were plenty of people passing through. Never underestimate the power of local radio, I was interviewed on Radio Cornwall once, at 8.15 on a Sunday morning for their Cornish language programme, I was still being asked about it months later. I made more progress on the painting itself than I expected and still had time to chat (I actually think i may have acquired a fan in the shape of the lady who started flicking through thepicturepalace catalogue saying she had to get back to work in five minutes and was still there, chuckling, after fifteen). More news on RESURGAM on its own page as I continue to work on it but you can see how far I got at the bottom of the page. I also found time to go and look at some art myself this week. I made the rounds of some of the British Art Show 7 venues, at least those at the top end of town, I'm saving the Royal William Yard and Plymouth Arts Centre for later. And the big surprise is, that I found myself looking at the paintings with more than usual interest (for me) and the photographic, sculpture and installation work with a somewhat more jaded eye than in the past. So, the verdict so far, George Shaw is a more interesting artist artist than I have previously thought (although anyone who paints with Humbrol enamel must be fairly interesting to start with) and worth his Turner Prize nomination. Michael Fullerton is also worth watching. Brian Griffiths' big bear at PCAD is not only fun but has a genuine presence (and I want to go inside it please). Sarah Lucas' work is head and shoulders above the rest of the sculpture on display at the City Museum and Art Gallery, a definite case of less being more compared to the over-engineered quality of some of the other pieces. Part two in a week or two's time but verdict so far is that they could have had a much stronger show with more works from fewer artists and that Plymouth could really do with a purpose built (or properly adapted) large scale space for contemporary shows like these. Kudos to the Museum & Art Gallery for acting as a venue but it reminded me somewhat of the Saatchi Gallery's days at County Hall. I'm now wondering what the space at Royal William Yard is like as a venue. Ho hum, more musings next time...
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I'll explain the title of this post in a minute but first on the agenda is this Saturday's Tavistock Artist's Market, Bank Square, 9.00am - 4.00pm https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=205979346134810 I'll be there with a new painting based on 'Johnny Frenchman' http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0038660/ a few improvements to the stall and, hopefully, some better sales patter than last time! Come by the stall and help me look busy even if you're not in the market for a monochrome masterpiece (and even better if you are, don't forget your chequebook).
And so to 'Resurgam', which, for those of you who lack a classical education or aren't Argyle fans, means 'I shall rise again'. It is inscribed above the doorway of St Andrew's church on Royal Parade and was first placed there following one of the raids in the infamous Plymouth Blitz of 1941. I'm using it as the title for an event in the Marquee on Plymouth's Piazza (down by the big screen, next to Debenhams) on Friday 23rd September starting about 9.00am and I'll be there all day. This is an experiment for me and will involve something that normally I would run a mile from, namely painting in public (and a diptych no less, not one but two canvases on the go at once). So, if you are in town that day drop in, say hello and I'll try to be civil if I'm in the middle of a fiddly bit. http://fringe.gotanyrice.com/resurgam I'm still working on selecting the imagery I'll be using but the photograph below will almost certainly play a part. This foray into potential public humiliation is just one of the events featuring as part of the BAS 7 Plymouth Fringe https://www.facebook.com/#!/plymouthfringe http://fringe.gotanyrice.com/ running alongside the official programme for The British Art Show 7 http://www.britishartshow.co.uk/venues/plymouth which opens officially on Saturday 17th September (it's a shame you're all going to be in Tavistock that day isn't it?). And finally yet another obituary, this time Richard Hamilton, an artist who truly was so different, so appealing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14901992 |
Dave EvansWork in progress and other stuff that happens. Archives
March 2016
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