DLI Durham iconic portrait photography- Jane Bown 'Exposures'

After another Durham tutorial for my art course, went for coffee and homemade delicious scones (highly recommend-£3.20!) and exhibition visit to the DLI .

Was very impressed by the wonderful, iconic black and white photographs of Observer photographer Jane Bown. Grouped as politicians , movie stars, authors etc. the photographs (50 of her best, some of which are noted to be "classics of the genre) cover iconic figures of the twentieth century. I was struck by all the groups-a young handsome McCartney, the Queen, Moira Shearer's wedding pose, Lauren Bacall, Quentin Crisp, Bjork and Boy George are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head!!!!

If you like the recent trend for 'vintage'black and white photographs- Audrey Hepburn etc. this is of the same genre and equally as interesting/good!!!!

As I said above the coffee shop is well worth a visit ( you don't have to pay if you are just using that) and if you also have an interest in  militaria there are two floors of DLI memorabilia including vehicles , which the children seem to love (especially one little chap in full military combats!!!) to visit too. There are ponds, ducks and woods to walk/picnic in when the weather is nicer and Durham city is close by for shopping and a visit to the World Heritage site of Durham Cathedral!

Happy Valentine's Day / designs!!!

Happy Valentine's Day wishes to all.....after all its basically all down to love...... isn't it ?!!

The world would be  better place if there were a bit more of the genuine 'thing' around...........................

20th century art symposium at the MIMA and..............SNOW!!!!!!!

I had been looking forward to hearing lectures today at the MIMA, on 20th century art (Cezanne, Cubism and Matisse), so was rather worried by apocalyptic snow warnings from the Met Office!!!!!! Managed to get there and back safely, although the snow did begin and had to shovel and salt drive to get my car up the slope!!!! Gill Perry, one of the lecturers arrived by train from London, gave her lecture and left soon after as she did not want to be marooned in York (altho that's not a bad place to be !!!).
The lectures were interesting and the Tate's, loaned, still life pictures were too. I particularly enjoyed being able to see one of Picasso's collages at very close quarters, having had to write an essay recently on a similar picture. I also enjoyed a number of modern still life's-one with 9 boxes, in three piles of three with objects inside, was my favourite. The collection inclued Nicholson, Bell as well as Picasso and a  number of other well known artists. Such a shame the audience was made up of only a dozen or so......