Chris Ofili: Weaving Magic

Wonderful exhibition at the National Gallery of a new tapestry by Chris Ofili.

The tapestry is a triptych called “The Caged Bird Song”. It is a colourful piece and shown in a large room where the others walls have been decorated with a grey mural by Ofili of temple dancers. It took 2 1\2 years to make and will have a permanent home in the Clothworkers’ Hall.

It shows a couple sitting on a sea shore playing music with a cocktail pouring down towards them from the sky. On each side large figures hold back curtains to let you into the scene. The pastoral nature of it reminded me of Giorgione or Manet’s “Le Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe”. I loved the bright colours and the way the weavers have reproduced the effects of watercolour.

It is shown with the sketches he made while working out the ideas and the original watercolour which was given to the weavers. There is also a good video about how it was made and describing the symbolism of it which is well worth seeing.

Closes on 28 August 2017

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