Cathy's Art Diary

Small exhibition of recent works by this Royal Academician at the Royal Academy . OK I have to admit I didn’t really get them! They just looked like paint had been thrown at paper! I found they were rather dwarfed by the grand Tennant Room. I did however like 3 portraits he had drawn in the 1960s. Maybe I should have done this before the Watteau!

Exhibition of exquisite drawings by Watteau at the Royal Academy . I must admit I’m not a fan of 17th century French paintings but these drawings seemed to have more immediacy and life than the paintings. It was a nicely arranged exhibition with a good tape tour which told you just enough without getting bogged down. It explained well how he moved from using red chalk, to black and red and finally to black, red and white and the difference those techniques made. I loved the studies of heads from different angles arranged beautifully on a page. My favourite picture was a study of the back of a woman sitting on the ground which showed in detail the elaborate draping of her dress. Reviews Daily Telegraph Independent Evening Standard

New statue which is temporarily in the courtyard of the Royal Academy for the duration of the Summer Exhibition. It is cheating a bit to blog this as a separate entry to the exhibition but it is so lovely I thought I should, plus I wanted to get it on the blog quickly and I’ve not seen the exhibition yet! The statue is a memorial to the Rainbow Division, the 42nd division of the US National Guard in the First World War. It will be placed at the site of a battle which took place in July 1918 at Croix Rouge Farm where 162 of the division were killed. It is a classic statue of a First World War soldier carrying a dead colleague by James Butler. There is a poignant contrast between the heavy uniform of the live soldier and the semi—naked loose form of the dead one. It looks lovely against the buildings of Burlington House and I am pleased it has been shown there for a short time before going to France.

Lovely exhibition at the National Theatre showcasing the work of fabric designing sisters Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell. I would have said I had not heard of this company however as I looked round I realised how many of the designs were familiar and in fact might be covering my sofa! The exhibition features big design boards covering each of the 5 decades the company had been operating. There was also a wall of design sketches for sale. I admit I weakened and bought one! I wanted one called simple flowers but have had a phone call to say it has already gone so instead I’ve gone for a more simple one called ‘Damask’.