My tickets for the David Hockney exhibition were timed for late yesterday afternoon so I went into London early and decided to take my chances on getting a ticket to see the Lucien Freud exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I was in luck with just a short queue and then only a half hour wait until my timed entry.
I have long been a fan of Freud's work and the paintings did not disappoint. I love the rawness and the sheer physical presence of the paintings, the quality of the paint on the canvas and skill with which they are executed but... and unfortunately there was a but... it somehow it felt cramped and claustrophobic. It was definitely over crowded. Many of the big canvases demanded that the viewer stand back to appreciate them but then all I could see were a sea of heads. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but there also felt like an air of pretentiousness.. not from the paintings but from the people, which was summed up by one very well spoken lady telling her friend "He is mind bogglingly good you know..." You don't say!!! But I'm still pleased that I saw the exhibition and I especially liked his self portraits and of course was pleased to spot David Hockney... because that is where I was off to next.
David Hockney, Lucien Freud 2002,Oil on Canvas
The David Hockney exhibition was just as exciting the second time around. I saw things I didn't see the first time and found that I loved things that I wasn't sure about before. I spent a long time looking at his sketchbooks. I know I'm very lucky to live close enough to London to be able to see such wonderful exhibitions and I also know this one will have a lasting impact.
I seem to be obsessed with all things "David Hockney" at the moment and I'm enjoying reading this biography and becoming reaquainted with some of his earlier work.
I've also got some plans for some of my own work inspired by the paintings in the exhibition. I'd like to say watch this space but you could have a long wait as I seem to have all sorts of things in the pipe line and on the go at the moment... including my big trip... do you want to know where I'm going? I'll tell you soon!
Must dash... off teaching now!
0 Yorumlar