Picasso and Modern British Art

This review has been published by Londonist

Verdict: Go see it

Where: Tate Britain

When: 15 February – 15 July 2012

Think Picasso and what springs to mind are cubism and paintings that have sold for millions of pounds. But Picasso’s most enduring legacy is the impact he has had on shaping much of the modern art that followed, including many notable works by British artists.

This exhibition aims to explore these links to see how the likes of Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Henry Moore were influenced by Picasso.

There is a profusion of Picasso on display here, including works from his early Impressionist days, through his blue period and on to his cubist and surrealist paintings. A few masterpieces are present, including ‘Three Dancers’, ‘Nude Woman in a Red Armchair’ and ‘Weeping Woman’.

With the many styles that Picasso experimented with, it would be difficult to find a modern artist who hasn’t been influenced by him, and his works are here used to greatest effect when displayed beside the work that they’ve inspired; the similarity between Picasso’s ‘The Source’ and Henry Moore’s ‘reclining figure’ is uncanny. The comparisons are less effective for those who were influenced by many other artists, such as Nicholson who clearly owes as much to Matisse and Mondrian as he does to Picasso.

Though the influence of Picasso on British art is an interesting journey, the real draw of this exhibition is the works by Picasso himself. They highlight that he experimented with many different styles but was able to inspire at every turn, and though many British artists followed in his wake, none ever managed to surpass the master.

This is your opportunity to appreciate why Picasso is heralded as one of the most influential artists of all time.

Migrations: Journeys into British Art

This review has been published by Londonist

Verdict: Give it a miss
Where: Tate Britain
When: 31 January – 12 August

Immigrants have clearly had a massive impact on the development of British art. The latest exhibition from the Tate Britain aims to explore this link by displaying the different styles that immigrant artists brought with them, and how British artists learned from them to further their own skills.

The exploration of how such artists ended up in Britain is fascinating. Though the exhibition skirts over the fact, it’s likely that many of these artists came over to Britain as a business opportunity rather than to contribute to British art. Their handiwork might have seemed pedestrian at home but would have been considered exotic, and therefore more lucrative, in Britain. It’s apparent that though the Dutch and Italian painters who migrated here were talented, their works were not on a par with the contemporary masters at work in their home countries.

A few pieces hold interesting back stories along with superb artistic qualities, but the majority of the works on display are largely disappointing – even the Canaletto is not one of his best.

The exhibition has more to offer when displaying contemporary art, with the hypnotic ‘Cloud Canyons’ by David Medalla and the spiritual and powerful work by Rasheed Araeen being two highlights.

Though this exhibition explores some great stories around migration, the art on display does not necessarily do them justice.

The Mystery of Appearance

Verdict: Go see it

Where: Haunch of Venison, Mayfair

When: 7 December 2011 – 18 February 2012

This exhibition at the newly refurbished Haunch of Venison gallery focuses on ten of Britain’s most important post-war painters, who would go on to influence the current crop of British artists.

Usually when a smaller gallery displays works of renowned artists, you always assume that they will have their lesser works on display and the real stars will be the less recognised artists.  In this instance both shine through.

In terms of star power, there is a brilliantly humorous painting by David Hockney entitled ‘Man in a Museum’ where a painting is watching the visitor, and Francis Bacon’s ghostly re-imagining of Velazquez’s portrait of Pope Innocent (pictured below).

However, the real star of the show has to be Leon Kosoff’s works with his multilayered style of painting bringing palpable texture to his work and blurring the line between painting and sculpture (an example pictured below but this flat view doesn't do it justice).

It’s impressive that they’ve amassed such a collection and, as some of the works have never before been on public display, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.