Researching Artists - Leeds Art Trip

LEEDS ART TRIP 

In order to delve deeper into my practice, to excite my imagination, and to research into more depth similar artists, I decided to visit a variety of Art Galleries in Leeds.  On Wednesday, October 7, 2011, I began by visited: The Stanley and Audrey Burton gallery, Leeds University. Observing and researching Bronze Sculpture, Drawings and Paintings.

                                                                              

The main Interesting Art Works for me were, Michael Ayrton, ‘Blade Maze figure’, due to the interesting use of bronze in order to create the outline of figures. I liked the effect of ‘Brown Patina’, which created a darker contrast to the figures, adding a completely different mood to that of usually bronze sculpture, after completing more research into this process, ‘brown patina’ is an optional coating, which is applied after the bronze is cast, in order to highlight any darker shades, creating more contrast.

                                                                                    

Ceri Richards, ‘The violinist’, 1946 was an Oil painting on canvas, depicting a violinist, in an abstract form, very similar of Picasso. The central theme of the painting is music. Rhythm is metamorphosed through the female form of a violinist and accompanist. This can be shown through exaggerated curves of the instruments.

                                                              

Joseph Mallord William turner, ‘Mountain and Trees’, c. 1794-1797; was a pencil wash on paper, I liked the effect of the wash over the drawing, it simplified and blurred the contrasting tones of the pencil marks.

‘Boy’, 1917, was a series of drawings, showing the transition between a child to a young boy, using different mediums including: pen and ink; pencil on paper; and blur chalk on paper. I liked the construction and display of the drawings, which were mounted and framed as a triplet.

                                   Leeds Art Gallery

Adelsteen Normann (1848-1918) The Sognefijonal, Norway c.1885, was an oil painting on canvas, which I have included into my list of artists, due to this magnificent, spectacular, striking image of the mountain landscapes of Norway, it was the very first piece of art to blough me away and really take my notice. I liked the use of layers of texture in order to build up the image, to create an almost three dimensional painting. I liked the beautifully painted reflections of the mountain range cast on the water; it really reminded me of a place of solitude, paradise, tranquillity, a place where my own images of people could happily be placed.

Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) The Poet reading to his Children, 1948, Oil and Pencil on Board. Hepworth primarily paints figures – such as other influential figures e.g. Hepworth, Henry Moore, Paul Nash and Ben Nicholson. I liked the combination and blend of Red and Blue paints, with the energetic lines of the pencil, helped to give contrast and create real movement to the figures.

Damien Hirsts exhibition, I managed to catch a glimpse of ‘Damien Hirtsts’ solo exhibition as his work was been dismantled and packaged away. I managed to view the painted butterfly wheel, titled ‘I Am Become Death, Shatterer of Worlds’, which was a beautifully hand crafted piece of collage work, which incorporated thousands of hand painted butterfly wings in order to create a golden mosaic like pattern, which shone and radiated an atmospheric mood. The beat of a butterfly's wings is meant to set off a chain of unforeseen reactions across the globe. Damien Hirst, however uses butterfly wings as a metaphor for morality.

                                                             ‘Quick Sketch of Damien Hirst's Exhibition been dismantled'