Cathy's Art Diary

Small gem of an exhibition at Ordovas bringing together a Gauguin landscapes with contemporary works. The Gauguin was a lovely early work of a beautifully framed farmyard which was then shown with two works by Peter Doig and two by Mamma Andersson. It was interesting to not only look at the contrast in style but also the different approaches from different countries. Not to be cliched but the large Doig was big and bold like the American landscape whereas the Swedish Andersson’s work had a Scandi melancholy to it This gallery specialise in small shows that present you with an idea and leave you to contemplate it. Closed 26 April 2024  

Touching exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery reflecting the friendship of the artist Peter Doig and poet Derek Walcott. The two men met in Trinidad and Walcott wrote a suit of poems inspired by a painting by Doig. In return Doig did etchings in response to the poems. There was also a reading of the poems in Doig’s studio and the show included a portrait of Walcott by Doig which was used for the poster for the event. The images were delicate and simple. I think my favourite was this one of a girl in a hammock which reflected a painting in the larger show of Doig’s paintings at the gallery. Closes 29 May 2023    

Bright exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery of new work by Peter Doig. Doig has lived in Canada and Trinidad and recently returned to London where he studied in the 1980s. These works were painted in Trinidad and London. The commentary says that the gallery’s collection was a touchstone for him. It also says he hasn’t focused on a subject but on creating “something new in paint”. I loved the stories behind the work and its sense of place more than the work itself but I could see the links to the collection. The last thing I saw in the space were some works by Munch so I kept seeing echoes of that. Closes 29 May 2023 Reviews Times Guardian Telegraph Evening Standard

Retrospective of the work of Peter Doig at Tate Britain bringing together over 50 paintings and works on paper and including many pieces which have never previously been shown in the UK. I had not come across Doig’s work before and found it delightfully relaxing. I loved the large landscapes such as “The House that Jacques Built” in the first room and “Bomb Island” which reminded me of the 3D maps of Venice. A real find and someone I will look out for in the fiture. Reviews Independent Daily Telegraph Evening Standard Time Out