Art fix in a lockdown
Getting your art fix in a lockdown
Although galleries, museums, and art fairs have had to close their doors as part of nationwide lockdowns to support all our amazing front line health workers, the art world thankfully remains vibrant behind the scenes. In fact, as this wonderful quote from Pablo Picasso suggests, art and its appreciation is especially vital at times like this as its power of creativity inspires and its beauty lifts spirits. Picasso himself was deeply affected by the Spanish flu of 1918-1920, as he the best man from his first marriage, French poet Apollinaire, died to the devastating pandemic. He managed to find solace through his work. He painted the ‘Three Musicians’ in 1921, featuring a harlequin, pierrot and a monk, and the pierrot was thought to have been an homage to his close friend Apollinaire. One of my favourite paintings by Picasso for sure.
Three Musicians by Pablo Picasso 1921
Thanks to modern technology, the art world’s finest creations, old and new, are accessible to anyone who has a phone, tablet or computer. There are virtual galleries popping up all over allowing visual access to some of the world’s greatest collections of art, whilst art exhibitions that were due to take place have now moved online. These developments keep our world enriched with art and culture, whilst also supporting living artists, who very much rely on their shows to sell and promote their art.
Below are some suggestions to keep your art fix fulfilled
Google Arts and Culture - Google’s platform of 1,200 museums globally is immense and frankly one could spend all day just browing the rich content they have. My favourite virtual tour so far is of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam but so much superb funcitionality and imagery to savour
Picasso and Paper exhibition, Royal Academy - for those of you who missed this exhibition, which was described by Tabish Khan of the Londonist as having “brilliance at every corner”, the RA have now added a video montage
Vatican museums 7 tours including Sistine Chapel - usually visited by over 5 million people every year, one can now virtually visit these majestic rooms through their online viewing galleries, and if that wasn’t enough to wet your appetite, the official @vaticamuseums Instagram account provides images of Vatican Museums’ masterpieces accompanied by short captions that explain the history and the meaning behind the selected works.
Andy Warhol at the Tate Modern - This exhibition would have been the first major retrospective of his work in 20 years at he tate Modern. Thankfully, the curators have pulled together this brilliant video montage showcasing the show
As well as those fab offerings, two artists, with whom Artfully Sorted is pleased to be working with, have their own shows either currently running or just recently closed and can be viewed online
Andrew McIntosh ‘Splendid Isolation’ with James Freeman Gallery
Andrew’s latest solo exhibition features paintings of lonesome caravans, something he has painted for many years. He considers their curious appeal as a miniature world within a world: a vessel for the intrepid, a means of escape, and a place for cocooned. Seminal artwork for current times
‘I Know We Can Make It’
Jo Holdsworth ‘Royal Arts Prize Visitors Choice Award 2019’ at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery
Jo works primarily in oil, takes inspiration from the London’s ever-changing landscape and urban city scenes. Her uplifting and unique paintings often include reflected figures and combine a subtle colour palette with loose, spontaneous brush work.
‘Riverside Walk’
Artists have also had to readjust to working from home as part of the new world we all find ourselves in. Great to see some of our artists, featured below, in their studio spaces continuing to inspire, be positive and create beautiful works of art.
Fran Giffard and David Wightman
East Dulwich dream team
Fran Giffard and David Wightman are talented artists in their own right, who happen to also be Mr & Mrs. Fran produces exquisite ornithology-inspired artwork working directly onto her personal Moleskine diaries using watercolour, ink, gouache and graphite pencil. David is known for his imaginary landscape paintings using acrylic and collaged wallpaper on canvas. He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions and has been commissioned by English Heritage and Arts Council England. They are collaborating in their art and this latest piece below is from their new collection. More of their superb art can be seen on their Instagram accounts
@fran_giffard_drawing and @davidwightmanpainter
Atlantic Puffin and Beatrix
London-based plein air artist Susanna MacInnes has found a creative solution to the current lockdown by hitting the rooftop of her home and capturing London’s cityscape from above. Susanna has always been passionate about painting and her inspiration is from the people and places around her. She was a wild card on the last ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’ series, and received a mention for her fab painting of the Gateshead Millenium Bridge. Thank you Susanna for taking us to your dizzy heights. Follow her instagram feed @pindroppainter and see her at work.
Susanna MacInnes
Rooftop plein air action
Jane Hargrave’s talents no know bounds. She has been an international model, working with David Bailey, Lord Patrick Litchfield and Tony Scott amongst others, as well as a movie actress and promoter for Formula 1 racing. More latterly, she has focussed on her real passion, her art. So glad she did as she paints truly exquisite and expressive pieces, full of passion, colour and raw energy. Pictured here in her studio at home where she painted this beautiful painting ‘Moonflower’. More of her stunning art seen at @janehargraveart
‘Moonflower’
Some of our other artists are using their creative talents to inspire and hold art sessions or courses. A lovely way to stay connected with the community whilst giving something back. It is wonderful seeing them in action and sharing their passion with people of all ages. Art really does enable one to “lose oneself and find oneself at the same time”. Fun for the family and you - check them out!
Nagihan Seymour
Online course to learn Tezhip / Art of Illumination from expert artist Nagihan
Wed or Sun
Details here
Her insta @nagihanseymour
Laura Benetton
Kids art sessions
Mondays
10am GMT
with internationally renowned artist
@laura.benetton.art
Jan Erika
Flowers & Art
Live painting by Jan in collaboration with guests each week
Check out Insta
@janerikadesign for details
For a brilliant artsy read, look no further than artist Katharine Rowe’s newsletter. Katharine exhibited with Artfully Sorted at the Affordable Art Fair this year (see below her gorgeous floral artwork). Her talents not long lie with a paintbrush but also with a pen. Her monthly newsletter on all things art is informative and current - a most enjoyable read indeed.
If you would like to receive Katharine’s newsletter, contact her here
‘Tulip Salmon Parrot’
Artfully Sorted is thankful to have exhibited at this year’s Affordable Art Fair, the last of its kind before the lockdowns. In fact, the Affordable Art Fair’s next scheduled fair is not until August in Hong Kong. We are pleased to be able to offer through the AAF online marketplace some of our artist’s work from the show, as well as others. You can browse our selection here
If you require any assistance in sourcing any art for your homes, we would love to hear from you. Contact us by email
