John Hampton at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

An exhibition of vibrant works by Wolverhampton artist John Hampton (1934-2012) is now showing at Wolverhampton Art Gallery till the 13th of July.

Untitled, John Hampton

Educated and trained in Bilston, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, John was a dynamic character and had an inquisitive approach to his artwork. His career spanned over five decades, during which he became Head of Art at Bilston Community College. A studio holder at Eagle Works, he was an active member of the group.

Untitled, John Hampton

Marc Chagall exhibition at the Tate Liverpool

Nude in the Garden by Chagall

The Tate Liverpool is hosting an exhibition of more than 70 paintings and drawings by the 20th-century Russian artist Marc Chagall. The exhibition, entitled Chagall: Modern Master focuses on the period from 1911 to 1922. The artist’s 1911 oil painting Nude in the Garden will be on display, along with seven murals painted by Chagall for the Moscow State Yiddish Chamber Theatre in 1920.

Marc Chagall (1887–1985) is considered to be one of the great artists of the last century. Bringing together such a wide selection of works on paper as well as paintings from across the world, Chagall: Modern Master takes a fresh look at this compelling artist who created some of the most poetic and enduring images of the 20th-century. This exhibition will be the first major presentation of the Russian painter’s work in the UK for more than fifteen years.

I and The Village by Chagall

Drawn Towards the Sea

John Scott Martin, An Early Morning off the East Coast

I’ve been a busy little bee these past few weeks due to a vast amount of reasons! Why is it that everything happens at once?? Well, since I went to the coast two weeks ago, I have been inspired by the sea, and I thought it was quite fitting that John Scott Martin is producing an exhibition at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery in Birmingham.

Caught in the Crossfire: Artistic Responses to Conflict, Peace and Reconciliation

Caught in the Crossfire is a temporary exhibition at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry which explores how artists grapple with both the brutality of war and the desire for peace. Coventry itself is a city which has been devastated by war with a strong reputation for peace and reconciliation. The Herbert is therefore the perfect setting for such an exhibition as this.

KennardPhillipps (Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillips), Photo Op

The exhibition takes us on a challenging journey from the home front to the frontline and back again, as seen through the eyes of artists, soldiers and people affected by conflict.

J. L. Greenway Freedom Casket Launch

In 1937 James Luther Greenway, a leading Bilston industrialist, was granted the Freedom of the Borough of Bilston in recognition of his investment in the town. To mark the occasion he was presented with a ceremonial casket decorated with enamels.

In 2012 the museums, galleries and archives of Wolverhampton (WAVE) was able to acquire this important object for display at Bilston Craft Gallery thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Black Country Memories Club and Bilston Historical Society.

The Casket

Spaces of Invention and Places of Imagination

Occupying both Galleries 1 and 2 at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery, is a major exhibition of selected, mixed media works from the year 2000 to the present by the artist George Taylor who I have admired for a long time. The exhibition entitled, Spaces of Invention and Places of Imagination, will include two paintings from 1961 and 1963, completed just after the outset of George’s career which now spans more than 54 years.

George Taylor, Wild Sea Rising.

Contemporary Art Season at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry

The Herbert’s new season of contemporary art features four compelling exhibitions which showcase challenging and thought provoking work by both local and internationally acclaimed artists. The exhibition I wish to focus on for this post is His Dark Materials which ran from the 24th of November 2012 to the 17th of March 2013. As always, I love discovering quirky art, which I’m sure you’ll see through this artist’s work!

His Dark Materials is the first solo exhibition by Coventry-based artist Adie Blundell. Blundell’s work is composed of new and found materials – sculptures are formed from plaster, latex, salt and iron, incorporating keys, locks, light switches and medical equipment.

Adie Blundell, Victoriana and Alchemy in Coventry.

Arrangements in Black and Grey: Exhibition at the National Trust’s Fox Talbot Museum

An exhibition exploring the relevance of black and white photography in the 21st century opens at the National Trust’s Fox Talbot Museum on the 12th of April. Arrangements in Black and Grey focuses on the work of six UK photographers: Nettie Edwards, Trevor Ashby, Katie Cooke, Anthony Jones, Deborah Parkin and Mark Voce. The works range from monochrome photographs shot on film to iPhone images.

The museum itself celebrates the achievements of former Lacock resident, William Henry Fox Talbot, famous for his contributions to the invention of photography. At the Lacock Abbey which is a part of the museum and village, the 800 year history is retold through the memories of its last owner, Matilda Talbot whose grandfather was William Henry Fox Talbot.

William Henry Fox Talbot, calotype of Talbot’s three daughters

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester: Paul Nash

A collection of Paul Nash’s early wood engravings, photographs, collages and correspondence is to go on display at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. The surrealist artist is probably best known for his dulcet watercolours depicting everything from the rolling hills of Kent to Ypres battlefields and hostile skies during the Battle of Britain. The collection was amassed by a close friend of the artist, Clare Neilson, and was gifted to the gallery through the Art Fund.

Paul Nash, Dyke by the Road.

Compton Verney…my birthday week!

I haven’t posted for a while and my excuse is…it’s been my birthday! I have had a fantastic week and I have been utterly overwhelmed by all the cards, messages and presents from all my friends and family. It’s been the best birthday I have had so far! The whole week has been full of events, starting with a party with all my housemates which they had organised- including making a huge meal and a giant birthday cake. And it wouldn’t be a party without a good session of poker of course. On my actual birthday day, I was taken out for the whole day to a place called Compton Verney.