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Art Exhibitions London

Art exhibitions London

My blog is like a visual diary disclosing experiments, wrong turns, small discoveries & breakthroughs in contemporary art.  When visiting art exhibitions in London, I write, record and discuss what artists do to invigorate my painting practice.

My ‘Art Exhibitions London’ reviews are also about helping people to know more, do more and be more.

Stuart Bush Studio Notes, Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol art review

Andy Warhol – Tate Modern exhibition review As I write this review of the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Tate Modern, in April 2020, the UK like most countries is in lockdown, and all the galleries are closed. The terrible numbers of deaths continue to rise in the Covid-19 outbreak and the world turns its attention to protect the elderly and vulnerable and finding a way forward.   I luckily managed to look round Andy Warhol’s exhibition before it closed and since I have found time to sit at home during a brief pause to contemplate Andy Warhol’s graphic punch and power.   Andy Warhol, an artist born in the… Read More »Andy Warhol art review

Stuart Bush Studio Notes, France-Lise McGurn

France-Lise McGurn review

Possessing the beauty of nature – France-Lise McGurn review When I look at a person, like most artists, I look deep. I look beyond the surface to enable me to distil something much more than just a transcript of what I see. Dynamic lines and complex space carefully introduced produce a pleasurable form for all eyes to enjoy. However, in order to take those strokes and lines into a rhythmical ecstasy, out of the frame and across the walls of a gallery space, I would have to learn more than just being able to look.  l would also have to learn more than a rudimentary understanding of the subject matter.… Read More »France-Lise McGurn review

Sigmar Polke review, Stuart Bush, contemporary art

The Art of Sigmar Polke – Review

Sigmar Polke tears everything down that came before and starts again It is a common misunderstanding to think that creativity is an optimistic response to life and its single aim is to reflect the beauty around us.  However, if you born in Germany in 1941 in the middle of the Second World War, would you want to paint an attractive still life with flowers?  Everything is a function of where you think you belong, and everything comes back to your identity.  If you had an urge to create an artistic response while growing up on malevolent soil in a world full of angst, would you use the potatoes of your youth? It… Read More »The Art of Sigmar Polke – Review

Bridget Riley art, stuart bush, art exhibitions london,

Bridget Riley Art Review

Swimming through a diamond – Bridget Riley Art Exhibition London review   Almost anyone who loves art would be interested to know what the first experience of discovery is like. The moment when a painter notices that ‘something’, and has the opportunity to capture it all.  Leading to the dream of a fantastic career as an artist, with an absolute breath-taking body of work, accumulating in a career beyond belief that makes you go goggle-eyed.   I imagine Bridget Riley in 1960, aged 29 years old walking by a lake. Her arms are heavy, after a frustrating session in the studio. She is young, gifted and hopefully going places.  Her… Read More »Bridget Riley Art Review

Painting Freedom – Albert Oehlen review

Painting Freedom – Albert Oehlen review As a painter in today’s cacophony of visual possibilities, where would l start if l was trying to build a perfect painting practice and what would such a practice look like?  Especially if I wanted to leave myself and the viewer guessing what l was going to paint.   When I looked at Albert Oehlen paintings I wondered where he started.  Looking at his paintings in his latest show at the Serpentine, London, it is hard to imagine how he ended up here.  Albert Oehlen’s paintings have moved past his previous discord into the beauty in the conflict and almost defy categorisation.  I realise that Albert Oehlen… Read More »Painting Freedom – Albert Oehlen review

Stuart Bush Studio, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

Something essential, a review of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye exhibition

Something essential, a review of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye exhibition What unmistakably stands out for many painters are the long silences they have standing in front of an artwork. Often time almost stands still in both the studio and gallery. To an outsider, this may appear to be an unproductive period, as they digest what is in front of them. However, for me, this time is extremely valuable. l find that as l digest what is in front of me my imagination is inspired, triggering thoughts that often leads new works. So here I am at Mori Corvi show to see Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s latest show, ‘A Mind For Moonlight’. Lynette, the London… Read More »Something essential, a review of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye exhibition

Stuart Bush Studio Blog, Olafur Eliasson

An Olafur Eliasson moment

Through an Olafur Eliasson moment can art change the world? It wasn’t that long ago that there was a common belief that humans were separate from the natural world.  If people wanted to experience the fundamental characterises of the sublime the only option was to journey to the countryside to observe nature and the natural world. In his new show at the Tate Modern in London, the artist Olafur Eliasson attempts to bring the sublime to the city.   When l visited this art exhibition l saw the physical response to the wonders of nature.  Eliasson highlights that not only are we part of the environment, that Art, can directly acknowledge… Read More »An Olafur Eliasson moment

Stuart Bush Studio Blog, Michael Craig Martin Sculpture

Michael Craig-Martin: Sculpture

Michael Craig-Martin: Sculpture review It is hard to understand the incongruities between a successful artist and the work of mere mortals like the rest of us. I want to put into words how can a simple drawing of an object can be turned into a world-class sculptural form. Michael Craig-Martin, the once significant tutor of the YBAs at Goldsmith between 1974-1998, is now showing his latest sculpture at the Gagosian Gallery on Britannia Street in London. Is it the snap at the moment of impact when seeing his work, where he is best in the game? Is it the skill of his placement that no one else comes close to?… Read More »Michael Craig-Martin: Sculpture

Stuart Bush Studio Blog, Elizabeth Peyton review, A love story between a painter and the subject

Elizabeth Peyton review

A love story between a painter and the subject It is perhaps not surprising that the first thing I am drawn to as I enter Elizabeth Peyton’s new show at Sadie Coles in London is the few abbreviated spontaneous strokes.  The marks capture feelings sending the paintings beyond just physical aspects in her lush romantic paintings.  Over the years the configurations, I have noticed Peyton’s paintings have become more and more involved. However, the subject matter is still the same.  Peyton’s use of light, colour and poignancy has compounded.  The watercolour brushwork is pure and clean like freshly fallen snow.  Through her use of bristles of her brush, Peyton has… Read More »Elizabeth Peyton review

Chantal Joffe, Stuart Bush Studio Blog

Chantal Joffe – Being Somebody Else

Chantal Joffe asks; What is it like to be somebody else? The first thing I noticed about Chantal Joffe’s paintings at Victoria Miro, in London, is that they challenge the concept of beauty.  Joffe paints the female figure, often in unstinting and frank disclosure.  There is a directness that is fascinating, every blemish and every wort is on show.  From the gradual decay of the sitters through to the triumph of their existence, Joffe paintings depict and embodies her muses.  By portraying the intensity of the moment, she gives the viewer passage to understand how they feel.  The gritty truth of life is there for all to see as it comes slapped down… Read More »Chantal Joffe – Being Somebody Else