5 shows in 6 days: SWA, CBPP, Jenny Saville, Eva Lane & Dive…
Welcome to my photo-diary from a week of top contemporary art, showing and viewing in London and Bristol🌞
Society of Women Artists
Taking in the room on arrival, I felt a rush of joyful pride at the artwork, and appreciation for this community who truly understand stiff doors and systemic obstacles. As long as women artists lag behind in the art market, organisations that promote and advantage our art per se are a lifeline of solidarity and support.
I am hugely grateful to everyone who came to the SWA show in whatever capacity. If there were a prize for quantity and quality of visitors, I would have won it by a distance! I didn’t manage to catch photos with everyone, please email me if you can fill a gap in the album.
Helen Sinclair (sculptor president of the SWA) and the SWA committee laid on a brilliantly organised, vibrant show. Here are some photos - note two international artists whose work I particularly enjoyed: Huihua Bi from China, and Omma Moonfalk from Sweden.
The Private View at The Mall Galleries
This was my first time applying to the SWA open call, so I was lucky (knowing how selective they are, and the high number of entries) to have two paintings accepted: The Raft of The Medusa, and The Boy Who Played Cricket.
Here are a few of my wonderful visitors, artists with their work, and a tiny selection of the brilliant pieces in the show. Full catalogue to browse and buy. For the artists, just look them up, they’ve all got websites!
I was very touched to see two members of the Mall Galleries catering staff (the ultimate connoisseurs!) spend a while discussing my painting.
It’s a small world
It was a great surprise to bump into Katherine Tyrell when she visited the show, coincidentally when Curtis Holder had dropped in (also a lovely surprise, as he was exhibiting at the CBPP, see below). Cue a lively conversation between us about the contemporary art scene, and a dedicated post from Katherine, which was a generous accolade. Sally Ward (above) painted Yeside Linney (above) for her supporting piece in the Portrait Artist Of The Year final. Here is Katherine Tyrell’s blog post about the final, which Curtis Holder (above and below) won!
The historian critic
I was thrilled to be visited by distinguished art historian Michael Ohajuru and his wife, artist Ebun Culwin. Sadly I wasn’t able to introduce Michael to Amit as planned, but we still managed a lively conversation about the references in The Raft Of The Medusa, and other things. Here is some great footage of Michael talking about de-centering whiteness, in a livestream hosted by The Courthauld, so you can imagine how delighted I was that my work had caught his eye.
Michael Ohajuru and Ebun Culwin
Friends and family
Being in London was a great chance to catch up with friends and family including two schoolfriends who I hadn’t seen for 40 years! The downside was that I HATE dressing up, but had to decide and pack outfits for the entire week in advance.
4 fantastic shows
I was delighted to make it to four more shows that week - two in London, two in Bristol. Click on the images for links to the shows/artists.
Apologies to those I’ve missed/not noted - please send corrections/omissions. Did you go? Please send any photos that would be good to include here. Tag me on social media, and share your thoughts in the comment section below, thank you!
