Salcombe Art / Posts tagged "David Hockney"
The second marriage at NGV
16 January 2017 In Art, Exhibition, Postcard from ...

Postcard from Melbourne: So much to see at the NGV

While Anne and a writer friend of hers chatted over afternoon tea in the first floor restaurant, I discovered just how much there is to see at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria).

 

What is there to see at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)?

In addition to the wonderful David Hockney exhibition which I blogged about on 9 January, NGV has so much more art to show to the world.

Alfred Felton’s generous bequest in 1904 has enabled the NGV to be a world-leading collecting institution. There is work by Picasso, Rothko, Bacon, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Paul Nash, Bonnard, Rodin, Van Gogh, Pissaro, Renoir, Manet and Monet, Courbet, Constable and, of course, Turner.

 

What were the highlights for me?

Thinker at NGVDegas at NGV(Left) Rodin’s The Thinker: it was well worth spending time, admiring his undoubtable handiwork.

Rodin’s The Kiss is one of Anne’s favorites and we’ll have to arrange a return visit to NGA before we leave Australia so she can see The Thinker too ‘in the flesh’.

Manet’s The House at Rivell was also breathtaking, and was attracting quite a crowd.

(Right) Degas’ Portrait of a Woman, identity unknown … clearly, she was known to him!

John Constable’s Study of a boat passing a Lock – wonderful!

And, my featured image at the top of this blog post, is David Hockney’s The Second Marriage. … It’s an interesting, different, study of this state of existence. I’m on mine and loving it – and the painting was great too.

 

You want to see some more photos?

Picasso at NGV

(Left) This is a Picasso vase. Lord alone knows how much it is worth. It’s on display within a sturdy glass cabinet. Very sensible!

Van Gogh at NGV

(Right) This is Head of a man by Van Gogh. Although Van Gogh tried to conform to the traditional approach, his passion enlivened this work so much that it has much more power emanating from the canvas than other portraits of that era.

I spent such a short time, wandering around, amazed at the collection of treasures, and now need to schedule some time for a return visit.

However, Anne and I depart for a week in Tasmania tomorrow so you can expect a report of our planned visit to MONA before I get a chance to return to see what Melbourne’s art galleries have to offer the visitor.

If you have visited Tasmania, or live there, what galleries – apart from MONA – would you recommend we visit?

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.

9 January 2017 In Art, Postcard from ...

Postcard from Melbourne, Australia: The David Hockney exhibition at the NGV

This is a new type of blogpost: a postcard from Melbourne, prompted by our visit to the NGV to see the David Hockney Exhibition.

We are currently ‘on holiday’, visiting family, but wherever we go, Anne and I always make a point of seeking out art galleries, museums and gardens.

 

What’s on in Melbourne?

The NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) in Melbourne, Australia, is currently hosting a David Hockney Exhibition. It’s just across the road from the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and both are walking distance from the famous Federation Square, opposite Flinders station.

We have to catch the 86 tram to get into Melbourne and it takes about 30 minutes. The ride is interesting enough, looking at the various architectures en route.

 

What did I think of the David Hockney exhibition?

The day we visited the David Hockney exhibition, it was particularly hot and we were glad to be inside, in an air-conditioned space.

I had seen a similar exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, but this one included animated film of Hockey creating his masterpieces using an iPad. It was truly inspirational.

I have only been an iPad user for three years and, although I have the ProCreate app installed for a while now, I had not really come to grips with the opportunities it offers to artists.

So, since our visit to NGV, I have been ‘playing’ with ProCreate on my iPad. I don’t suppose for a moment that I’ll ever publish a finished piece emanating from this new technology – I’m far too old to change my spots! – but I can see how much David has achieved since he embraced this format.

 

Is it worth your visiting this exhibition?

Even Anne, who is not overly impressed with modern art, was mesmerised by the many animations. Or perhaps it was just her tactic to stay in the cool environment?

The exhibition is on until 13 March and I recommend – if you are within striking distance of Melbourne – that you take time out to visit this glorious display of so many of David’s paintings, including more than 20 portraits.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.