Cathy's Art Diary

Beautiful exhibition at Proud Central Gallery of new work by Mark Thompson. This gallery usually shows photography so when I spotted these black and white photographs through the window I assumed they were large photos but I was delighted to discover that they were fabulous paintings. They were landscapes and vast interiors in layers of oil paint on wood. The images were very distinct and clear but when you got close the brush work was quite broad and loose. They gave the impression of having a smooth finish but the paint was actually quite textured. The perspective of the interiors was very exact. I thought they had a feeling of work by Anselm Keifer From the commentaries I think they were remembered scenes rather than real ones.   . Closed on 3 February 2019

Lovely exhibition at Proud Central Gallery of photographs of Marilyn Monroe by Milton H Green. Green had 50 sittings with Marilyn and took over 3000 pictures. I loved the way this show was arranged by sittings with each given an iconic name such as the ballerina sitting or the dog sitting depending on the clothes or props. The labels were excellent giving the date and descriptions of stylists and designers. I loved a picture of her sitting by rocks where the twigs from a bush nearby make it look like the glass on the picture was broken. Closed on 24 June 2018  

Exhibition of photographs of Bruce Springsteen at the Proud Gallery by Charring Cross Station including rare unseen photographs from those who have worked most closely with him. Artists included Jim Marchese, Rene van Diemen, Debra L. Rothenberg, Adrian Boot and Terry O’Neill. Ok so I’m biased but this was a fantastic exhibition of photographs running through from the famous Hammersmith concert in 1975 to the Devils and Dust Tour in 2005. There were great action shots but my personal favourite was a monumental head shot showing every fine detail of pore and stubble. Whoever this was of it would be a great photo. I just wish I had been able to afford one! Photo spread Guardian Review Collective : the BBC interactive cultural magazine