Archive

At last there is a strong critic of the public institution of Tate Modern, so long protected by taboos in the ongoing power game. This is Charles Saatchi. Who has finally ‘decloseted’ about the upcoming Turner Award. A groundswell of…

The forthcoming exhibition at the Whitechapel, London (10 December 2002 – 2 March 2003) Mies van der Rohe 1905-38 is a definitive retrospective of his career in Europe. This is the first such show in Britain, bringing together 38 important…

The short but brilliant artistic career of Eva Hesse is celebrated by Tate Modern (13 November 2002 – 9 March 2003). Born in Hamburg in 1936, Eva Hesse escaped the Nazi atrocities by evacuating with her sister in 1938. Reunited…

And another, discrete but highly influential arts catalyst has also died, aged 95. David Drummond, Earl of Perth worked assiduously behind the scenes to bring about major windfalls to the world of art and culture. The present National Gallery of…

The new book Natasha’s Dance by Orlando Figes, which provides a romantic but revelatory overview of historic Russia lacks a full visual arts corollary. The current wide interest in things Russian needs fuller understanding – it’s not just the newly…

Bryan Robertson has died – the greatest Tate Gallery Director we never had. Still active at 72, Robertson transformed the Whitechapel Gallery from 1952. Director at the early age of 27, he also transformed the public awareness worldwide, of Australian…

Aztecs, Royal Academy of Arts, London opened on 16 November. It is a remarkable and brilliant exhibition. This is a groundbreaking show of the same ilk as the Tutankhamen show of the 1970s or the Africa exhibition of 1995.

Painter Jack Vettriano, bête noir of the Scottish arts establishment yet feverishly pursued by collectors from both sides of the Atlantic, has been exercising intelligent philanthropy in Scotland, supporting student ventures, and yet keeping a relatively low profile in his…

Doodle day Are architect’s doodles worth keeping, like the sketches of painters and sculptors? One of the problems is space. In the late 1970s, Robert Adam’s old home saw faded drawings being used as fire kindlers. Times have improved. Tragically,…