Saatchi Gallery- Breaking the Ice Moscow Art 1960's/80's...(2012)

I recently came across this russian art exhibition at the saatchi gallery. Some really nice pieces were presented by a range of diverse russian artists. From sculpture installations to paintings, a wide use of different displays and medium was seen to be used throughout. One particularly artist i really liked was, one named Oleg Tselkov. He paints brightly coloured and contrasted portraits of mask looking faces that seem to fade out of each mask creating a trippy, illusional painting of pertruding features and crude abstract shapes. I love the colours Oleg uses within his paintings, his technique of fading the colours deeply and perfectly into one another, almost giving his artwork a smokey and misty effect. I really loved his 'Smoker' painting, depicting a figure on a bight yellow background smoking a pipe, the smoke from the pipe acts as a sort of black cloud over a hill of buildings behind the figure. The first and most obvious thing that caught my eye instantly with this piece was the alluring colours, from yellows to pinks and purples, black and fiery orange. Really nice combination of colours that seemed to compliment one another in the piece, his almost 'child like' style of drawing was really interesting as my recent lecture have been about the act of Drawing and understanding ways that artists draw through any influence. An example of this somewhat 'child like' interpretation of Oleg's portrait 'Smoker' is, the positioning of the pipe in the figures mouth, it is clear that the figure is smoking from it, but without the pipe being in the mouth it is merely placed by on top of the figures mouth as an indication of smoke and or someone smoking. Loved the composition of this piece also, the soft emerging shapes of the background images and the main figure.

Barbican's Curve Gallery- Rain Room! (2012)

The rain room exhibition currently still held at the Barbican is definitely one of the most talked about exhibitions all year. I had previously seen a bit of info and heard some minor details from friends that had already been. As alluring as it sounds i needed to try it out for myself and experience this magical rain room that somehow left u dry. Fascinating to be up against in the flesh and such a fun and enjoyable, experience to either have alone or with friends. This was quite an unusual installation for an art exhibition, however i thought it was still worth going to and engaging in something a little out of the ordinary. Random International got the chance to host this weather controlling installation, and being one of the well known and well distinctive in digital-based contemporary art, they prove success with the most spoke about, interactive and communicative experiment in what it would be like to control the rain and or weather. Upon arriving at the exhibition there was a huge 2 hour queue to get in as technical sensory beams and lights could only stand up to 5 persons at a time within the rain room.. Although not my ordinary and somewhat informative gallery visits, it was well worth queuing to see and feel the personal connection in the person. It was strange having the illusion of water and rain coming down, its like your mind processes what is meant to normally happen if in those circumstances but is suddenly altered by trickery and i would love to believe kind of magic.  A100 metre field of filling water, that reacts to human sound and movement, the complexity and thought into the technical and digital systems used to make the rain fall 'around' a person so that when you walk through u stay completely dry. Truly epic and definitely a must see!!

Wellcome Gallery- The Death Exhibition..(2012)

The Wellcome Gallery in Euston is one of my favourite galleries to frequently visit. Always such a refreshing and enlightening visit that leaves me curious and exciting to start a new piece of art. Recently they held an exhibition called 'The Death-Self Portrait'. Showing a collection of death related art pieces,  i love the different genres, medium and displays at the Wellcome Gallery. One of the main pieces within this exhibition that caught my eye was, this stunning clothbound book filled with inspiring and captivating illustrations, depicting an exploration into a desire to 'make peace with death' I thought some of pieces shown related a lot to old vintage tattoos, portraits of figures with this almost painted mask over the face with skull like skeleton contours. The book consisted of five different sections, 'Contemplating Death', 'The dance of Death', 'Violent Death', 'Love and Death' and 'Commemoration'.
As morbid and hard to come to terms with as Death is, this exhibition although tackled violent, disturbing and moving artworks, the approach was much light hearted and one which prepared a person in the reality of Death and coming to an end. I thought this exhibition would be particularly intriguing to visit also because i had currently been researching into the art of Mexican Sugar Skulls, this correlated perfectly with this exhibition as it is said to be believed amongst the Mexican people that on the Day of the Dead, by dramatically painting and decorating skulls to place with the deceased. Decorated with swirls and dots of icing sugar, with bright colours, beads and feathers often seen on these skulls, it is a beautiful and creative way of remembering those that have passed on. I admire the many diverse aspects that come with the belief and encouragement of these decorative skulls, leading the past and loved souls back to home one day. Flowers and skulls have a huge association in Death and the end. In Mexico the 'Cempazúchitl' which translates as 'Marigold' is believed to be the flower of the dead. 

Tate Britain- Pre-Raphaelites.. 2012

The 'Pre- Rapaelites' has always been an art movement i most enjoy exploring further into,  i also very much enjoy looking at the stunning pieces analysation brush style, artist technique and the perspective or element the painting gives to the viewer. Being Britain's first art movement, the Pre- Raphaelites exhibition was definitely an experience not to miss. With over 150 diverse artworks all in a varied amount of medium or material, including: painting, sculpture, photography and applied arts. The main focus and importance of this exhibition was to teach and show the beauty of the Pre- Raphaelite art movement, a movement that was able to achieve and appear successful in all different types of genres.

I love how gentle and well- handled the art work looked whilst roaming through this exhibition and sense of beauty and sophistication really stood out to me in most of the pieces i viewed. The three main artists that led the exhibition with their wonderful collection of avant-garde artworks were, 'Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 'William Holman Hunt' and 'John Everett Millais' 

Each artist depicted a sense of admiration and inspiration for the early Renaissance painting, interestingly enough it is said that through their sheer passion for this style of painiting, they were looked upon as rebellions of mid 19th century art establishment. 

Highly satisfying as an exhibition to see in my personal opinion, with a range of artworks some seen before some only just being introduced to us viewers, however not only was it pleasurable and most inspiring to see the artists who focus on the Pre Raphaelite movement, but it was most intriguing and fascinating to find out the stories behind the piece. Each painting being completely unique in its own way but each painting sharing the same relation in highlighting, Rebellion, Beauty, imagination and science and precision. 

Jerwood Gallery- Drawing prize..(2012)

As a part of my semester A lectures for my final year at UEL, i had to go to the Jerwood drawing prize gallery in borough. I found it quite interesting, before i had been i never had heard of this gallery. It was fairly small with a varied collection of top judged artworks all around. This one floor exhibition highlighted the contemporary works of UK artists some of the 78 works being college students also.
I could appreciate the diversity of the chosen collections, however none really caught my eye as favourites. I loved the huge lino prints that were presented. One consisted of a montage of little images that made one huge print, the detail and textures of this piece instantly stood out to me. There were a mixture of illustrations, sculptures, prints and paintings. Whilst in there i had to fill out a question sheet with some interesting thought provoking questions to consider whilst looking at the galleries collection. They made the viewer look at the chosen drawings in a different perspective, trying to put oneself in the shoes of the artist. What were they trying achieve? What were some of the popular materials used throughout the exhibition. After i found out how many entires had been made for the drawing prize at Jerwood Gallery, 3,000 to be precise i would have liked to see a little more then 78 artworks. Although i was completely impressed with my visit to the Jerwood Gallery, i now know that i can go there to check out more collections of the best artwork from around the UK.

National Gallery- Metamorphosis Titian 2012

The national gallery, is always a delightful visit for me, i appreciate all the old and fairly modern collections held there. The exhibition held there over the duration of the summer was 'Metamorphosis Titian' the aim and focus of this visit was to comprehend some of the many fascinating stories that come  along with the stunning works of artist Titian, that some artists continue to be inspired by and reveal amongst their own pieces today. There were a selection of three 18th century paintings never seen by the public before on display by Titian. They all are supposed to depict the 'epic poem from Ovid- Metamorphoses.' It is also said that these specific paintings were produced for the King of Spain- King Philip II' when he was at his higher of powers and positions. I find these paintings intriguing and inspiring in highlighting mythological and magical stories from the old past. The delicate and light pastel colours emerges into a beautifully scenic story.  It does not appear obvious at first that these pieces correlated with poetry, but with further research and reading behind Titians creations it appeared quite an inspiring exhibition to attend. My favourite of the three paintings was 'Diana and Actaeon', i liked the story behind this painting, Titian reinvents and creates a beautiful piece of art telling the story of the goddess of hunt and Actaeon who stumbles by her in the forest, the outraged and furious goddess  then transforms Actaeon into a Stag for his own hounds to devour and savage. Titian paints and shows his perspectives on the impact and sharp intrusion of the goddess and Actaeon's encounter, through detailed and gently brushstrokes to the playful use of composition and light.

Tate Modern- Damien Hirst (2012)

I have to state that Damien Hirst is not an artist that i would call 'one of my favourites' however i knew that his exhibition in the Tate also during the summer, would present some interesting factors. It had been said that Damien Hirst's last exhibition 'freeze' was held a shocking 20 years ago and therefore it appeared to be intriguing what new inventions Damien had since created. From diamond incrusted Skulls to, stuffed animals Damien definitely came back with a statement. One that shocked the nation and media, ' The physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living (1991)' Damien presents a shark in a huge tank of formaldehyde. It was quite an unusual, yet fascinating experience, the complete opposite of what in reality and if living the shark could create, fear, threat and danger. In fact this experience enhanced a non threatening and non fearful sense of emotion. I am not sure if i personally would call this 'shark' piece a work of Art? Although it appears to highlight a sense of life and death, and was highly interesting in showing the detail and contours of a motionless and life threatening species. The second piece that was most eye catching was a 18th century cast of of a human skull incrusted with it is said 8,601 real diamonds. This piece carries a latin quote, 'Memento Mori' which translates as 'Remember your mortality' this had a correlation to a wide variety of similar pieces to remind people of their mortality. Stunning as it seems in reality, the moral of the piece is to highlight victory over decay, whilst also representing a much relentless element to the prospect of life and death. 

Final Year... More Exhibitions and Gallery Visits! BP Portrait award- National Portrait Gallery...(2012)

The 'Bp Portrait Award' held at the National Portrait Gallery, Central London during the summer,  intrigued me as it focused on the best rated contemporary portrait paintings from around the world. There were some great examples of beautifully painted portraits, ranging from all different sizes, some filling the whole wall.  It was evident that there were a number of diverse styles and approaches focused on with each portrait. From personal and much more intimate paintings of friends and family to painted portraits of famous people, this exhibition really inspired me in creating a contemporary portrait for myself and getting messy with all my oil and acrylic paints again.. 

I found it truly amazing how the pieces chosen for exhibition, connected emotionally with the viewer, a lot of the paintings depicted strong meaning that was often presented amongst their paintings. One of my favourite portraits was 'El abuelo, Augustín Estudillo' by Ignacio Estudillo.  This piece stood out to me instantly, a 2000 x 2000 mm oil on canvas, portrait of an older man centered in a dark negative space in a dark and empty room. There was an immediate atmospheric and emotional feel to this piece, as the viewer i felt i was able to catch the loneliness and emptiness the figure presented in the moment. 
This portrait does not only relate to the artist personally as a family relation, the figure below depicting the artist, Ignacio Estudillo's Grandfather, but also shows a part of the artist himself.  An amazing piece of art that truly captured me in a daze for quite a while, pondering on the many aspects of human condition and life time experiences this piece depicted.