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Lil' sis Yana Peel chaired an amazingly glamorous evening alongside Francis Sultana for The Design Fund at the V&A.
Then it was off to House of Voltaire for some Christmas shopping. Valeria Napoleone was once again looking incredibly fabulous with her lovely sister.
My big trip of the month was to the Gemeentemuseum, in the Netherlands to judge the Vincent Award. Pre-award I managed to take in a few other sites and the many wonderful things in the Wonderkamers show! Then the magnificent Mark Rothko show. Here’s his 1955 ‘Red Band.’
A photograph depicting the maestro at work as though it was only yesterday.
I wandered into other areas of the voluminous modernist building and spotted some amazing Alex Dordoy’s. ‘The Man in the White Suit’ displayed in front of ‘Consugmer (copyboard glass)’ sculpture. Alex is one artist I really adore.
Consugmer (Reebok Ex-O-Fit Hi).
The Vincent Award shortlist was dynamic and included the amazing runner-up Manfred Pernice.
As well as Gillian Wearing.
Her Mondrian nails on a cast of her dainty hand.
Anri Sala bagged it with all the judges liking his work the best. Themed to ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ by The Clash, Sala showed three works as a single installation. With two works on large synchronized screens, showing suburbs of Mexico and Paris whilst a drum beat softly, inaudibly, in response to the low frequency soundtracks.
The museum graciously entertained us with a lavish dinner and dance in their new closed courtyard.
Then it was home-sweet-home as I struggled to recover from a horrid knee op so minor the whole thing seemed a bit ridiculous. However, I still managed to hobble my way through London. The ICA show was truly brilliant with a wonderful array of artists including a few future 2015 Zabludowicz Collection Invites… Loved Matt Copson’s work ‘Reynard with a Vengeance’ and have just put him forward for the new Digicini website, launching next May, exciting stuff!
Emily Motto’s sculpture was interesting
But I saved most of my love for Bernard (Bee) Flowers’ work, which also happened to be in The BFAMI auction for the Museum of Israel. The museum has a wonderfully mixed audience, Muslims, Christians and Jews all sharing a bond in the love of art.
We managed to acquire a beautiful Sigalit Landau violin encrusted in salt and donated by Marlborough Contemporary.
The work by architect/artist Arik Levy was extremely interesting.
As was ‘Laura’s Face’ by Jaume Plensa.
Meanwhile at home on Sunday we had much fun with some special moments to remember forever. My art enthusiast friend Russell Ereira found a new family member above my fireplace.
It felt like painting was a very strong theme this month and at last there are some wonderful examples around. Dexter Dalwood had produced a great show on London at Simon Lee Gallery.
Michael Williams at Michael Werner.
Then the amazing Caragh Thuring, who was on residency with us this year in Finland. Her experimental practice has really extended itself to new realms.
They’d created a great edition at Chisenhale Gallery. Minute forgeries of Caragh’s painting using a Zabludowicz Collection painting. Just loved the concept.
At the same time across the globe in L.A. Jonas Wood had put on an amazing show at David Kordansky Gallery. Sadly no painting for us, he is just too popular!
And in uptown New York, Tiffany’s first curated public show opened at Leila Heller Gallery! ‘Kiln’ includes some great artists; Arlene Shechet, Josh Smith and Jesse Wine. Was so sorry I couldn’t make the opening but so so proud!
A miraculous moment in front of the Tower of London looking over a field of ceramic poppies to commemorate all the soldiers lost in the WW1. It was very moving and seemed almost like a sea of blood in the darkness.
I managed at last to check out Amanda Ross-Ho’s show at The Approach Gallery. It was far more amazing than seeing everything on Instagram and email. We should never underestimate the power of reality, seeing things for ourselves first hand, there is nothing like it. The rubber glove made of cloth and silicone was painstakingly produced by the artist.
I cannot believe I have not yet met Amanda. The hat work was great and had a touch of the Alexandre Da Cunha painting about it.
Cell Projects had a great show on with ‘Reboot Horizon’ with yet another fantastic Norwegian artist in Marte Eknaes.
Back in W1 we came across some amazing Walead Beshty works at Thomas Dane. The show is a continuation of his Barbican exhibition. Process leading process, he never seems to stop, a treasure trove of discovery making mundane industrial tasks turn to magic.
Francois showed me around completely full of excitement.
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