New York: MOMA

While in New York we visited The Museum of Modern Art which had some amazing well known artists. With only a short visit we concentrated on the permeant levels.

New York Day One: The American National History Museum

After a fantastic time in London, me and the boyfriend went to New York City for a week and then Walt Disney World for a long weekend! It was my first time going anywhere outside of Europe, so it was super exciting!

Borough Market and Tate Gallery, London

While in London we had a weekend to fill, so on Saturday we went to Tate Modern, on our way we found Borough Market. A cute little food market under a train bridge next to a cathedral. We couldn’t stop ourselves from getting a scotch egg and sweet potato chips which were so tasty.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery

I visited the Wolverhampton Art Gallery a few weeks ago. My favourite work by far was the Ron Mueck exhibition. 

The Pompidou Gallery, Paris

To contrast the Louvre gallery I also visited the more contemporary Pompidou gallery, which we had much fun exploring.

The New Art Gallery Walsall

Along with Damien Hirst there were also lots of other inspiring pieces at The New Art Gallery.

The Louvre, Paris

While in Paris I went to the Louvre gallery, considered one of the world’s biggest galleries, a title rightly earned as I didn’t even get the chance to see the entire gallery.

The New Art Gallery Walsall, Damien Hirst

I visited The New Art Gallery Walsall, particularly for the Damien Hirst exhibition, who I've studied in past projects. It was brilliant to see his actual work in person.

KennardPhillipps - Award#10

Inspiration from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

KennardPhillipps are a collaboration who produces art in response to the invasion of Iraq. Their work is displayed in streets, galleries, the web, newspapers and magazines. They are also used in workshops to help people develop their own skills so they too can express their opinion in a visual way.

Simon Norfolk - A former teahouse next to the Afghan Exhibition of Economic and Social Achievements in Kabul

Inspiration from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

From a series of photographs showing the war scenes in Afghanistan, how war makes the world we live in and how it changes the landscape. The buildings are results of the war. The buildings give an idea of what’s happened here, the devastation that has affected this area. It does however make you ask what exactly happened here? What has now made this area so different that there are now balloon sellers?

Ross Jones - Exodus

Inspiration from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

Art allows us to look at war from different viewpoints, either presenting an unusual image, changing the materials or changing the scale. Exodus shows a deserted village affected by the war, in an expanse of white space; the village is a small band showing that the scene is from a distance.

Matthew Picton - Dresden 1945

Inspiration from the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

'Dresden 1945' shows how the city was almost completely destroyed in the Second War World. It is based on a map of the city of Dreseden and is made of burnt and partially destroyed musical scores of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung, a man who had involvement in the revolution, and was influenced by destructive ideas. The sculpture gives a reminder of all the lives lost in Dreseden and the loss of cultural achievements.

Before Destruction

Picton firstly crafts the map with foam and paper of the buildings, showing how the city was before. This is then burnt to show where the destruction happened, making for a piece with so much intricate detail. There are also burn holes added, which could be showing the loss of life and the destruction of the buildings.

After Destruction

Herbet Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry

I went on another gallery visit, this time to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry for the Caught in the Crossfire exhibition. It explored how artists have responded to the brutality of war and the desire for peace. It examines key themes starting with the tragic events that occurred in Coventry during the Second World War.

Lindt Egg Hunt

Inspiration from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

It just so happened that the Lindt Easter egg hunt was in Birmingham on the same day. There were so many different designs and illustrations, i was spoil.  My practical favourites, were as follows. 

Rheannon Ormond – Butterfly Catchers

I admit that I was fond of this egg because it was so pretty. The illustrations of the butterflies

Ormond work consists of detailed illustrations in pen and ink, and experiments with printing and screen prints. As seen in her egg, she takes inspiration from the Victorian era and the turn of the 20^th century, but also animals, nature, romance and dark narrative. With these she creates interesting tales with her illustrations.

Graham Crowley - Blue Lane

Inspiration from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

An idyllic countryside scene based on West Cork, Ireland, where the colours have been altered to reflect the area’s atmospheric light. A milky pale blue tone has been used as many of the houses were painted in brighter tones of the same colour, these contrast with the landscape and Crowley has almost brought them together.

Note that the rural scene has been contrasted with the modern TV aerials.

James O’Hanlon - Birmingham 2012

Inspiration from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

Hanlon has created a bird’s eye view of Birmingham in a pure state by reducing it down to lines and perception and not experimenting with lighting.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

I went on a gallery visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for the Revealed exhibition, and the John Flazman and Timur Novikov exhibits at the Ikon Gallery. It was a really inspiring day!

I actually found the buildings themselves really inspiring, particularly the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The tiles on the floor and the wonderful archways and ceilings and beams were so detailed and crafted. I found that the colour palette wasn’t what I would expect from the outside of the building, mint green and peach was used on details over a white background. This was a contrast to the deep red and turquoise in a large round display room next door. A wonderful place to stay and seat, of course i had just come in from the cold weather and it was lovely cosy warm in there.