Cathy's Art Diary

Well thought out online lecture from the National Gallery looking at art from architectural spaces. Concentrating on works in the National Gallery which had been part of a decorative cycle but have now moved, Ben Street led us though the difference between a mural and a fresco and discussed how their meaning may change from being moved from their original setting both physically and in terms of subject. He talked about how frescos end up in galleries and the process by which they are removed from walls with particular reference to rescue and conservation work after the 1966 floods in Florence. Finally he led us though a selection of work which is still in situ from the Sistine Chapel ceiling to the mural commissioned by the gallery from Bridget Riley in 2019.

Stunning new mural/installation on the stairs of Tate Britain by Chris Ofili. The space is more walled in than before so it is given a feeling of a church with frescos. You are hit by the vibrant colour all around you and the immense images. I was pleased to see it is actually painted onto the wall rather than being an enlarged reproduction. A real feat as well as being beautiful. The work is a homage to the Grenfell fire and the artist Khadija Saye who died in it. Ofili had worked with her at the 2017 Venice Biennale. The description explains the work is in chapters and a handy leaflet explains the narrative although you don’t need it to be moved by the piece. Ongoing Reviews Times Guardian Telegraph