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John Martin APOCALYPSE

by on January 13, 2012 in Exhibitions, Favourite Artists

John Martin Apocalypse

John Martin Apocalypse

This week I went to London to see the Da Vinci Exhibition at the National Gallery, (more on that on another blog post) but I also decided to take in the John Martin “Apocalypse” Exhibition at Tate Britain. This show was actually on last year at Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery but I missed it. I almost missed it again as it finishes on the 15th January.

John Martin’s paintings were phenomenally popular. His spectacular paintings of Biblical scenes and vast landscapes attracted great crowds who would flock to exhibitions of his paintings to be enthralled and moved by the scenes and visions he portrayed. They would pay for tickets for the shows as the paintings went on tour, rather like we do today to see concerts or movies. Indeed, John Martin’s work continues to provide inspiration today for science fiction films, Hollywood blockbusters, video games, manga comics, musicians and artists.

I was particularly impressed by The Last Judgement Triptych depicting chilling scenes from the book of Revelation and the promise of eternal life for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The viewing of these three paintings was made even more relevant by a 10 minute light show every half hour with appropriate readings which I assumed were originally read when the paintings were first shown.

Last week I went to see the Turner Prize at the Baltic in Newcastle. The work on show there was about as relevant to 21st Century life as the Easter Bunny. John Martin’s paintings on show at Tate Britain are “right on the nail” today with the message they first communicated back in Victorian times. The exhibition finishes 15th January, so if you can make it, try to make the effort.

 

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The Turner Prize 2011

by on January 9, 2012 in Exhibitions, North East Prints

Morning Eye

Morning Eye

Last week I decided to pay a visit to the Baltic on Gateshead Quays to see the Turner Prize Exhibition. I must confess that I’m not at all inspired by the kind of work that is chosen for this particular competition but I thought I would try to go with an open mind. To be perfectly honest, I’ve not been inspired by any of the exhibitions that I’ve seen on display at the Baltic either. The only one I found interesting was one of some bridges made out of Meccano by Chris Burden back in 2002. I’m sure there must have been some decent shows since then but I must have missed them.

The Baltic is a fantastic exhibition space. The rooms are grand and spacious and have the potential to house great artwork. I wandered through the rooms in search of some and came out disappointed. Warmest congratulations to the 4 artists Karla Black, Martin Boyce, Hilary Lloyd and George Shaw who captured the judges imaginations with their efforts for the Turner Prize 2011. Clearly they are sincere and genuine about the work they produce and I respect and admire them for it but it’s just not the kind of work that tickles my fancy.

I’m off to London this week to see the Da Vinci Exhibition at the National Gallery and one or two other exhibitions. I won’t be disappointed. By the way, the image above is a view of the Eye and the Baltic seen from Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge, early morning. It’s available as a limited edition print.

 

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Da Vinci, The Lost Treasure

by on October 31, 2011 in Favourite Artists

Fiona Bruce on Ponte Vecchio, Firenze

Fiona Bruce on Ponte Vecchio, Firenze

Whilst painting in Italy in September, I saw Fiona Bruce being filmed on Ponte Vecchio in Florence. I stopped to take a photograph of her, along with dozens of others, wondering which programme she was being filmed for. On Sunday evening I discovered that it was for a documentary written and presented by herself titled “Da Vinci, The Lost Treasure”.   

This BBC 1 programme was essentially uncovering the story of Leonardo da Vinci and gave us an exclusive preview of a newly found painting by the Renaissance genius which he did of Christ.  Throughout the programme the multi lingual Fiona Bruce travelled to Florence, Milan, Paris, Warsaw and to New York, to look at some of Leonardo’s most famous paintings including the “Lost Treasure” depicting the restored painting of the Christ.

Art is very subjective, but I have to say, for me personally, this is a more engaging painting than Leonardo’s depiction of  ”The Last Supper” where he deviated away from the original account in John’s Gospel  and showed Jesus and His disciples sitting upright at a table instead of reclining, most probably at floor level. The figures in the Last Supper are however, superbly handled, particularly the expressions on their faces when, as the painting depicts, Jesus declares that one of them will betray Him.

Fiona Bruce was very impressive with her presentation, especially when spoke fluent Italian and French. She still pronounced Michelangelo “Michael Angelo” but hey, I wish my Italian was that bad!

This “new” Leonardo forms part of an exhibition of his paintings at the National Gallery in London starting on the 9th November-5th February 2012 which promises to be a must to visit.

 

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Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

by on June 18, 2011 in Limited Edition Prints, Scotland Prints

Princes Street Gardens, EdinburghPrinces Street Gardens, Edinburgh

Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh is a lovely area to relax in, particularly in the summer months. For this particular painting, I wanted to capture it from a more unusual angle so I decided to climb Scott’s Monument, a Victorian Gothic monument to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It’s 200 feet and 6 inches high and from its various viewing decks, one can get some outstanding panoramic views of Edinburgh including this one which I’ve captured in watercolour. I always think it looks like a Gothic version of Thunderbird Three.

For this painting of Edinburgh, I felt it was important to include figures to give a sense of scale to the overall scene and to provide a contrast of detail to the loose treatment of the grand trees that grace the gardens. Edinburgh Castle and the National Gallery in the background contribute to the composition by adding further interest and depth.

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