“It is not easy to paint. It is very strenuous. But it’s something you’ve got to do if you have the urge". - Janet Sobel. This exhibition at The Gallery of Everything on Chiltern Street features over 30 astonishing works on paper by the acclaimed/reclaimed figuratist, impressionist, surrealist and abstract expressionist artist Janet Sobel (1893 – 1968). Like … Continue reading Janet Sobel: 20th Century Woman
Surrealism
Lockdown Drawing/Writing#1
During lockdown, my brother, an artist working in Somerset, has made a series of drawings that I have been inspired to write short fiction pieces from. I will be posting them, and the corresponding writing here over the next few weeks. Matt writes about the drawings: " I don't give them titles very often, I … Continue reading Lockdown Drawing/Writing#1
Structure for a Poem
One participant of the Friday Creative Wellbeing group is a wonderful surrealist poet in the style of Gisèle Prassinos. From one of her poems, 'Reasoning Remains a Wealth', everyone has chosen a line that resonates with them, and created their own print or artwork, taking inspiration from the words of the poem. We are always discovering … Continue reading Structure for a Poem
Art on the Hill
My friend transformed his flat into a gallery space for local artists as part of Art on the Hill in Newport. 11:00 – 18:00 : Art House #1, 26 Bryngwyn Road (19) *PG* The first in a series of mixed media events that focus upon the more outer edges of Newport’s developing art scene. Featuring … Continue reading Art on the Hill
New Work
I have been revisiting Max Ernst's work, specifically his frottage, grattage and coulage techniques that prioritised automatism. Using his grattage (scraping) technique, Ernst covered his canvases completely with pattern and then interpreted the images that emerged, thus allowing texture to suggest composition in a spontaneous fashion. In The Forest the artist probably placed the canvas … Continue reading New Work
Awkward Objects: The Work of Alina Szapocznikow
This weekend, I travelled to Wakefield to see Human Landscapes, the first UK retrospective of the work of the much-overlooked Polish artist Alina Szapocznikow (1926–1973). Powerful, innovative, disturbing, these pieces have dark undertones, which isn't surprising when you discover that Szapocznikow survived several of the Nazi camps as a teenager, and bouts of severe illness. … Continue reading Awkward Objects: The Work of Alina Szapocznikow
Sarah J Featherstone 