Cathy's Art Diary

Great exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery of photographs commissioned from four photographers to record people from the London 2012 Olympics, not only sports people but also torch bearers, builders, chefs and anyone else you could think of. Seeing this post Olympics made me quite nostalgic and yet it only finished a week ago! I loved the free standing almost full sized photos of torch bearers by Nada Kander particularly the little older lady holding a tissue! They were so realistic they felt like people sharing the space with you. I also liked the almost super real photos of Anderson and Low. My eye was caught by the picture of the men’s rowing eight but I think that had as much to do with the men and the quality of the photo! Reviews DailyTelegraph

Wonderful wacky public art display throughout London as part of the London 2012 Olympics in which various hat designers produced hats for statues. I only got to see those in Trafalgar Square but they were a delight and the sense of fun and excitement when you spotted Nelson’s Union Jack number complete with Olympic torch was wonderful. I particularly liked the gentleman on a horse whose horse has a matching gold turban to his! Reviews Guardian

Statues of the London 2012 Olympic mascots arranged around London on six walking trails to highlight the best aspects of London and good photo opportunities. I have only managed a few of these on the South Bank between Southwark Cathedral and the Festival Hall but they are a fun addition to London during the Olympics and Paraolympics. There are great queues to be photographed with them which we joined in with! I hope to fit some more in before they disappear. 

Exhibition of posters designed by designers/studios in London and Zurich and displayed at the House of Switzerland, a temporary space set up during the London 2012 Olympics to promote Switzerland and its products. Although just a small exhibition of 12 pieces there were some striking images my favourite being a coat of arms by Niall Sweeney and Nigel Truswell in which the dragon wears white high heels and the lion has trainers on!