Author: jaywp

  • David Drummond

    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…

  • Daniel\’s dance

    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

    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

    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.

  • Vettriano’s popular success in art

    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

    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,…

  • Letter from Long Island

    There have been some carping comments in British art magazines, such as ‘The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) isn’t what it used to be’. But the fact is, a major transformation is in place, and activity at MoMA Queens is…

  • Howard Hodgkin: Large Paintings 1984-2002

    Howard Hodgkin is regarded as one of the most important artists in Britain working today. Born in 1932, he studied in London and Bath. He first exhibited in 1960 and has gained recognition since that time. He was a Trustee…

  • Metamorphing: Transformation in science, art and mythology

    ‘Metamorphing’ is a Wellcome Trust exhibition at the Science Museum, London, 4 October 2002 – 16 February 2003. For humans, change has always been essential, but difficult nonetheless. For most of our history, the mysteries of change and transformation have…

  • The story of K&M

    Vitaly Komar, Alexander Melamid. ‘Dmitry Tveritinov’s story’ at Marat Guelman’s gallery.