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Wrapping up for Christmas and I feel rather sad to be leaving my cosy Camden/Chalk Farm hub of creativity in the UK but I am also happy to be heading off to the U.S.
2015 has been quite a year and I was lucky enough to top it off with a number of performances at the gallery and a big goodbye to our Jon Rafman show. It has left me with so many happy memories.
Although before my goodbyes I made a quick visit to Finland to see how our new museum was developing. It was looking quite spectacular against the blue winter sun.
We also said goodbye to Charles Richardson, the third artist in our invites programme this year. It was a fabulous show and he finished it off with an astonishing live performance.
Kate Lyddon is in the final slot for the Invites programme, her paintings show such a great maturity and confidence. Delighted that both artists have entered the Collection.
One of our advisors, Brian Boylan swimming around the ball pit with Lizzie.
Lizzie was back in there with none other than Stuart Comer, who was having a good time checking out the Rafman intensive playful environments.
James Snyder, Director of the Israel Museum only sees in 2D. So this was a life changing moment.
At a glamorous dinner with Pamela Crystal in a magnificent Valentino number blending into a beautiful painting by Ori Gersht.
The long awaited Bloomberg New Contemporaries was at last on show at the ICA. I was particularly taken with this ‘post Carolee Schneemann’ work by Hilde Krohn Huse showing an 11min video of her tied to a tree and trapped, she cries for help but no one hears her.
And it was great to see Neal Rock back on the scene.
Simon Denny’s show at the Serpentine was wonderful and I was excited to see Zappos included. They are taking part in our Think Vegas symposium, which opens in a day or two and was put together with the help of Hans Ulrich Obrist. I seem to be seeing a lot of him these days.
Michael Craig-Martin’s show was minimal and punchy. Worshipping the object.
Josh Reames is an interesting artist. He’s currently showing with Josh Lilley.
The East End was also brimming with some great shows. I absolutely loved the installation at Union Pacific, so much life, vitality and imagination.
Peter Sutherland at the Kinman Gallery was brilliant, we bought one of his benches to show at the Collection in Finland.
The Yngve Holen headlights at Modern Art were glorious!
Meanwhile Daniel Keller was over in Las Vegas undertaking an art residency with us. He seems to have taken up some freaky sports at the Fremont Street Experience. See you in a few days Daniel.
Helen Benigson gave a spectacular performance at the gallery, looking like a walking pregnant goddess-like she-devil in her sketch 'Cahino Devil.’
It was a crazy night with Sisters From Another Mister and Adam James doing some very strange things with audience volunteers. It was packed and electric
Our amazing Gallery Assistants gave us a wave off in their Jon Rafman sweatshirts.
Then just before I left for the US, my wonderful Caragh presented me with a magnificent cake. A Rafman-esque maze complete with Manifold and me on the Oculus Rift all beautifully carved out of icing sugar. Let the Birthday celebrations begin!
