Cathy's Art Diary

Lecture at the National Gallery by Robert Lumley from University College London, looking at the new exhibition “ Radical Light ” . The lecture discussed the political context in which the paintings site, ie in the years following the unification of Italy. It also looked at themes in the pictures such as the countryside and the working classes. I must admit this is not a period or topic I have looked at before so I got a bit confused with the plethora of Italian names.

Annual exhibition of new works at the Royal Academy . In fact I attended the sponsor’s evening on the Monday before the show opened so the exhibition was somewhat incidental to the champagne drinking. I was invited by a financial journalist friend so he bumped in to a lot of people he knew. However there was time to look at the art and as ever I loved the two Weston Rooms. Lots of yummy things in there and some were even affordable although I didn’t succumb! My favourite picture was a Ben Levine landscape in the last room which grabbed me from across the room. It fit in so well in my lounge! Best moment though was the site of people photographing the display of mini cup cakes which were a stunning work of art in its own right! Reviews Times Daily Telegraph Independent Evening Standard

A lecture/concert at the National Gallery looking at the meaning of music and musical instruments in C17th Dutch paintings and then giving a chance to listen to the music. The talk was given by James Heard from the National Gallery education department and the music was provided by Bridget Cunningham, Junior Fellow of the Royal College of Music on the harpsichord. It was a delightful evening and it was magical to hear contemporary music played while looking at a blow up of one of the gallery’s own Vermeers.

An interview with Angelica Garnett at Charleston Farmhouse . Angelica was the daughter of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant who lived and worked at the house. Soon to hit 90 she was interviewed by art historian Simon Watney and was lucid and interesting if a little deaf. Two images stay with me one of Maynard Keynes showering her with bath salts as a child and one of her burning a picture which Duncan had been dissatisfied with on his death. The talk was followed by a showing of the film ‘Duncan Grant at Charleston’.

Part of the Charleston Festival held at Charleston Farmhouse this talk combined Grayson Perry with the author of a new biography of Edward Burra, Jane Steveneson. This was a super event. Speculation had mounted amongst the audience as to whether Grayson would be in a dress and there was a gasp of delight when he appeared in a green romper suit complete with pink flowers. He was speaking about an exhibition he had curated in Redhill and promoting the catalogue. I’m not sure I’d really understood him before but as soon as he spoke I ‘got it’. He’s a big fairly beefy east ender who subverts what you might therefore think of him by the fact he wants to wear girls’ clothes and he subverts the idea of a man in girls’ clothes by being a fairly beefy east ender! I’m now a big fan! Jane Stevenson held her own on the stage as she was talking about a similarly individualistic artist, Edward Burra. Questions at the end brought the two themes together well and were not dominated by Grayson however...

Behind-the-scenes of the Conservation Department at the Courtauld Institute led by Graeme Barraclough, Head of The Courtauld Gallery Conservation. Organised by the Friends this was a fascinating tour to hear about the work of the teaching department and of the gallery itself. Everyone was very friendly and generous with their time. It was very interesting to see picture close up in the process of conservation. In particular they were working on a Cupid and Psyche by Joshua Reynolds which is currently a rather dull yellowed mush but should be transformed by being cleaned. It was followed by drinks in the square at Somerset House on a lovely warm evening.

Small exhibition at Charleston Farmhouse of drawings by Peter de Francia on the subject of art. Influenced by Goya and Beckmann these pictures take satirical view of the art world. Although generally I found them a bit detached I liked the picture of two buyers at an art auction cradling the items they have bought.