I love those days when I find myself making a spontaneous choice which then turns into an unforgettable experience.
Last week on my day off work, I was walking by the River Thames and sat down to sketch the Houses of Parliament.
I had planned on going to a gallery that afternoon and as I sat there, I remembered that the Garden Museum is just close by. So I looked up their current events and saw there was an exhibition by the Antiguan artist Frank Walter.
The Garden Museum is in a beautiful building and visiting it is a pleasure in itself.
However, once inside, when I saw how the exhibition had been put together I was quite blown away. I've seen hundreds of different exhibitions throughout my life but this one was incredibly special.
Firstly, it's housed in a construction designed by a theatre set designer. I don't want to do too many spoilers here: suffice to say, the interior of the set delivers a truly unique experience for the eyes and ears. The way in which the art, sculptures and writings are presented provides fascinating insights into the life of this remarkable man.
The works that struck me the most were the oil paintings on single-ply cardboard. The effect of the oil paint partially peeling away and the cardboard thinning over time was extraordinary.
There's also a fascinating film that unveils beautifully the artist's deep connection with nature, his creative processes and his political thinking.
This exhibition had such a profound effect on me. I bought the catalogue, which is filled with beautiful photos, information, writings and poetry, and I've been reading about his life. I hope that many people will take the opportunity to go and see the exhibition before it closes on 25 February.
Links
Blog and photos copyright: Barbara Grehs
Published on 16 January 2024
Commenti