The three wise monkeys: rich, powerful and extremely alert......
Written by Martin Gollan
in
Visual Arts
Visual Arts
"What do you think an artist is? He’s a political being, constantly alive to heartrending, fiery, or happy events, to which he responds in every way. No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war, for attack and defense against the enemy."
Pablo Picasso
The arts, trade unions, and working-class identity
Written by Anthony D. Padgett
in
Visual Arts
Anthony D. Padgett reflects on the arts, trade unions, and working-class identity “Hold tight” I call as we ride on my vintage motorcycle through the steep terraced streets of Lancashire towns. My last day of freedom as I lose all my work to the Coronavirus crisis. We pass the tall…
The unflinching radicalism of Kim James
in
Visual Arts
Written by
Nick Wright
Nick Wright remembers Kim James' materialist approach to art What strikes me most about Kim James' place in the discourses around art, creativity and consciousness is his unrelenting philosophical materialism. Of course this is not simply a question of seeing mind and consciousness as part of the material and social…
The precarious lives of working people: Hokusai's Return
in
Visual Arts
Written by
Chris Nash
Hokusai’s Return by Chris Nash Rowers bent over in labourand reaching for a nowherewhere you can / you cannotdrive further, drive throughoshiokuri bune frail prows,oars in rhyme with the rampagesof the terror’s watery surge you must / you must notdrown under this shunga wave,Prussian-blue hair in cascadeswhere silver fingers of…
The deep and realistic humanism of Raphael
in
Visual Arts
Written by
Jenny Farrell
Jenny Farrell presents the life and some of the work of Raphael, who died 500 years ago The great Italian painter and architect, Raphael, died on April 6, 1520. He lived at the time of the Italian High Renaissance, one of the most progressive periods of history. As Engels put…
Reframing the Keeler Affair: Women, Class and Dear Christine
in
Visual Arts
Written by
Tara Hanks
Tara Hanks interviews Fionn Wilson, an artist and curator of a new exhibition of art inspired by Christine Keeler. Main image: Christine Keeler: Anger, Blame, Shame, Ruin, Grief, by Caroline Coon, 2019, oil on canvas, 122 x 92 cm Artist Fionn Wilson is the curator of Dear Christine: A Tribute…
Norman Cornish and the Silver Swan
Written by Michael Jarvie
in
Visual Arts
Michael Jarvie reviews the Norman Cornish exhibition currently on at the Bowes Museum, Durham, and takes in the Silver Swan as well The Norman Cornish exhibition at the Bowes Museum is a retrospective, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, and is spread out over three adjacent rooms. There’s a…
A deep and compassionate humanism: the 150th anniversary of Ernst Barlach
Written by Jenny Farrell
in
Visual Arts
Jenny Farrell presents the life and work of Ernst Barlach, born 150 years ago Ernst Barlach was born near Hamburg on 2 January 1870. He was the most important German sculptor of the 20th century. Brecht said about his work: “His genius, meaning, ingenious craftsmanship, beauty without embellishment, stature without…
The election: A map of Tory Britain, 2019
Written by Mike Bryson and Colin Gardner
in
Visual Arts
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25 November
Written by Friedrich Farshaad Razmjouie
in
Visual Arts
Mixed Media, Board, 90cm x 60cm #StopViolenceAgainstWomen
