This is American artist, Lynda Benglis, 70, who after nearly five decades in the art world has her first solo exhibition in the UK. There are some major shows on in London at the moment, what with it being Olympic year and all, the city has bought into the blockbuster event, big time. But when I view art, I want the gallery to look like this:
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| One of Benglis' fallen paintings. |
I go swimming when the pool's empty, prefer a quiet to a congested bar and I don't want to be behind the hordes at the museum. So, the Hockney, Freud and Kusama exhibitions are going to have to wait. For a mid-life, gallery-goer the timing has to be just right. Or a blockbuster turns into a blood-vessel-buster. Art Rage is not a pretty thing. But in the meantime, there are plenty of smaller shows to see. Which is where Lynda Benglis comes in. On Saturday, I went along with the Blog Widower to see her work at the Thomas Dane Gallery.
And then onto Sarah Lucas, 49, at Situation (a pop-up venue arranged by gallerist Sadie Coles). Sarah Lucas was in the house, with a couple of friends, a greyhound and a glass of champagne. I was struck by the similarities between the two women. Both sculptors, both feminists, both fearless. Neither afraid to do their own thing. Benglis famously stripping naked and posing with a dildo, in 1974, for an ad in Artforum. Sarah Lucas taking a more humorous, British seaside postcard approach to art.
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| Sarah Lucas. Photo: Coline Millard. |
So, if you're looking for something to do between now and the opening of Picasso/Turner/ London 2012, avoid the art crowds and check out some of the smaller shows.
Lynda Benglis, Thomas Dane Gallery, 11 Duke Street, St. James's, London SW1.
Sarah Lucas at Situation, 4 New Burlington Street (first floor, next door to Sadie Coles), London W1.
Lynda Benglis photo: Bryan Derballa.
As a mature fine art student, I'm with you on the gallery rage thing. Although it's great that blockbuster exhibitions are enjoying massive popularity at the moment, I definitely get more from a quieter, more reflective gallery visit. I had the Sarah Lucas show on my list for a visit in March along with Hanne Darboven at Camden. I'll add Benglis to the list now too.
ReplyDeleteQuite curious exhibitions.... will share on facebook for my artist friends and relations to see. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewhat would mum have to do to action a guest spot? Would you need to ask her questions? would you need photos? I am going to force her to do it if I can!
ReplyDeleteI too prefer art exhibitions at quiet hours, or then small galleries, where I can spend as long / short as I feel like.
ReplyDeleteThe work of the first artist on your blog, the ones shown, are not quite to my liking though.
I like it quiet and sort of empty too. And I've noticed many great artists have dachshunds :-)
ReplyDeleteI like a quiet gallery experience, myself. Opening nights are fun and invigorating but it's difficult to have a moving experience in a crowded art space.
ReplyDeleteThis looks wonderful!
A quiet gallery is the best! Really love the Benglis pieces!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous face Ms. Benglis has! And you've brought us such playful art in beautiful spaces. Some of those big shows put together spectacular narratives of stunning art, and so they draw those uncomfortably large crowds in claustrophobic spaces for compelling reasons. So great to have the wealth of choices you have of large and small.
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