Madrid, Mahou and more

 

La Rojigualda, Plaza de Colon

 

 

Symbol of the city

 

 

Sampling Mahou, the local brew, in the shade of Parque del Retiro

Immaculately sculpted trees

 

Palacio de Cristal - Madrid's version of the Crystal Palace

 

Terrapins terrorising the catfish

Proud noisy peacocks

Angel atop the Metropolis building

Fra Angelico's Angel in the Prado (perhaps my favourite artwork of the trip)

Antonella da Messina's weeping angel with Christ (another gem in the Prado)

City symbol sculpture in Puerta Del Sol

Mural in Plaza Mayor

Nerves of steel required for the rollercoasters in Parque de Atracciones

Painted patterns on the cathedral ceiling

 

Richard Hamilton retrospective at the Reina Sofia

Domenico Ghirlandhaio's beauty at the Thyssen Bornemisza

Michiel Sweerts' (new discovery for me), boy beauty at Thyssen Bornemisza
 

 

Loved this Edward Hopper, again at the Thyssen Bornemisza

 

Mas Mahou por favor....

I Love Madrid

Orso Major

I am delighted to announce that I am now represented by another gallery - Orso Major, in central London. They are based in Lower Marsh, Waterloo, and have a number of my original paper-cut collages and limited edition prints in stock. For enquiries contact Gita on 07958 760424 or visit the Orso Major website here.

Form Through Colour: Josef Albers, Anni Albers and Gary Hume

Another interesting textile exhibition at Somerset House featuring the work of Josef Albers, (who's work I featured recently), alongside that of his wife Anni, and also contemporary artist Gary Hume. It is good to see their work translated into the different media of textiles, (for rug and textile design company Christopher Farr), although textile design and print is primarily what Anni Albers is well known for from her time with the Bauhaus.

The exhibition consists of the artists' most well known works interpreted as rugs, tapestries and textiles. One thing that struck me about the exhibition was the intensity, and in turn subtleties of colour used in the final textile works. You get a real sense of the skills required by those dyeing the fibres, as well as those weaving them to produce faithful replications of the original artworks. The resultant rugs were highly tactile and covetable.

Anni Albers' textile designs are based on geometry and are still fresh and contemporary. They fit right in with current faceted and geometric design trends for a variety of products in textiles for fashion and interiors. They were so forward thinking at the Bauhaus. Anni originally wanted to be a painter, but only males were allowed to paint at the Bauhaus school and she was persuaded to study textiles under Gunta Stolzl. Paintings' loss however, was textiles gain. I love the movement in her work, and the way her designs make the eyes move across the surface of the textiles.

The maze-like Meander rug above, was one of my favourites in the exhibition and clearly left an impression on me. Travelling home I was reminded of it later, when passing through Warren Street tube station and seeing the decorative London Underground tile design below.

I love Christopher Farr's tapestry interpretations of Josef Albers "Homage To The Square" series. It is good to see the colours more muted, and subtle compared to the vibrancy of his original prints and paintings.

It is also interesting to see the work of Gary Hume who is known for his use of colour and household gloss paints, exhibited alongside the work of the Albers. Here his Door paintings series are sumptuously recreated in cut and layered wool, which gives them a different dimension visually as they are more texturally interesting than the glossy sheen of the original paintings.

Form through Colour: Josef Albers, Anni Albers and Gary Hume
until 31st August
East Wing Galleries
Somerset House

Valentino Autumn/Winter 2014: Butterfly Couture

 

 

It's strange to be thinking of the autumnal drizzle, and cold of winter in light of the summer heat that we are currently experiencing, but here are more beautiful butterfly fashion creations courtesy of Valentino's A/W Animalia collection. The embroidered dress trimmed with feathers, as well as featuring embroidered butterflies above, is just stunning. Valentino had already flirted with the butterfly theme in their Spring Summer 2014 Collection (below), creating this very sexy dress, but really went to town with it for this current Autumn collection. The designers are Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli.

Most fashion designers usually reserve butterflies as a theme for their summer collections, so it is unusual to see them being used to adorn garments during a period of the year when they are less active. These garments will provide a nice splash of colour throughout the forthcoming grey, cold, days which are the Autumn/Winter season.

 

 

 

 

 

I like equally the stark contrast of the tailored pieces below, which are simpler, more tailored and less fussy than the embroidered pieces above.

 

 

Details of the embroidery and print

 

 

Some accompanying Valentino butterfly accessories. The ad campaign for the accessories below, was devised and shot by controversial photographer Terry Richardson. It is also his tattooed arm that features in the ads. Great use of pattern (print and tattoo), against a plain background.

 

 

 

 

Still with the Valentino butterfly theme but not part of the A/W 2014  collection is this interesting fashion drawing for a Butterfly themed dress created specifically for singer Katy Perry by the design team at Valentino.