Hockney at Dulwich Picture Gallery

One of the highlights of our UK trip was a visit to the Dulwich Picture Gallery where there was an exhibition of David Hockney's prints, celebrating sixty years of his printmaking practice. One of the most experimental and adventurous artists of our time, this exhibition was a treat, mainly because it's always inspiring to see work that has a strong drawing component. Etchings, lithographs, combinations of mediums and works composed and printed through a computer showed just how adventurous he is. The human figure was prominent throughout but there was also a series based on different weather conditions, confirming that Hockney could tackle various subject matter. Some of the prints were a little garish in colour, and his more subdued images appealed to me, but there were so many gems in this show you wished everyone could see them.

The Dulwich Picture Gallery has a great collection, more quality than quantity. Check it out HERE

More of David Hockney's work can be viewed HERE also.

Deborah Klein took the photographs of our day at Dulwich.

A Recent Time in the UK

Lee Miller and Roland Penrose

Deborah Klein and I recently returned from a trip to the UK. One of the most inspiring days spent there was a trip to Farley Farm House, courtesy of Barbara Britton and Sue Verney. This was the house and property that was home to Surrealist artist Roland Penrose and his wife, photographer, Lee Miller. Many famous artists visited the property over the years, notably, Picasso, Max Ernst and Man Ray, to name a few.

A guided tour is the only way you can see inside the house, and what a fabulous house it is. Pretty much how it was when they lived there, the walls are covered with art, mainly by Roland, but artworks from the many artists who stayed for a time can also be seen throughout. The fire place is a remarkable art work too, decorated by Roland with great colours and nooks and crannies which provide spaces for ceramic pots and figures.

The grounds, as I think you would agree from the photos below, look magnificent under the sunny sky. The whole place had such a good feeling to it, but an extra treat was talking to Antony Penrose, son of Roland and Lee. He lives down the road to the property but his presence is of course always at Farley Farm House. He saw a great deal of Picasso when he was a child and he told us an amusing story. Resuming school after the holidays there was a show and tell. He mentioned that the family went to Cannes and when asked what he did there he told the class he went to see Picasso! The teacher was understandably gob smacked but as Antony told us, he presumed everyone did!

Since no photography is allowed in the house, it might be a good idea to click on the link to find out more information about it. HERE 

You might also like to check the websites of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose

View of Farley Farm House

View of Farley Farm House

Inspecting the garden

A sculpture in the grounds

A sculpture in the grounds

Deborah Klein at Farley Farm

Barbara Britton, me and Sue Verney standing alongside one of Antony Penrose's sculptures

Print and Drawing Acquisitive Awards 2014

Deborah Klein Cutting Lino, 2013, dry pastel, 31 x 41 cm

My partner, Deborah Klein, made a wonderful print called Corporeal-Ethereal, and my drawing is of her in the process of cutting the lino that eventuated in the linocut print.

We have all heard it said that the eyes are a window to the soul, but I think hands reflect the soul too. Hands are the soul in action which is clearly visible in master musicians, dancers, horsemen, and snooker players, just to take some examples. Within the hands is not only beauty but thought. 

My drawing will be in the Print & Drawing Acquisitive Awards 2014 at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery from May 17 until July 13. Look them up at www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/gallery

Here is Deborah's finished print.

Corporeal-Ethereal, 2012, linocut, 60 x 50 cm, ed 23