Chinese Artist, Ai Weiwei reveals his latest work “Sunflower Seeds,” a project which has taken two years to complete and contains over one hundred million handcrafted porcelain seeds.The project is loaded with thoughts and associations. From a distance, it looks like a beach of gray shingle, or a Zen garden.The public are allowed to interact […]
A record number of visitors crossed the threshold of the UK’s national museums this summer, once again reinforcing the need to keep admissions to galleries in the UK free. The new survey shows that, 5.7 million people visited UK national museums in August 2010 representing an increase of 11% from August 2009. Over 809,443 people […]
Tate Modern Director Sir Nicholas Serota announced in an interview today that Museums in the UK could not weather cuts of 25% – 30% and that they would have to close for at least two days per week and drastically cut opening hours. In a rare out pouring, he also pointed out that it would […]
British Artist Ryan Gander (b. 1976, Chester,) has mounted a new installation at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. From October 1, 2010, to January 9, 2011. The work, part of the ‘Intervals’ series presents Gander in the third instalment of its contemporary art series designed to reflect the zeitgeist of today’s most […]
Turner Prize nominated Artist Cornelia Parker has produced a Photomontage for the Save The Arts campaigne. It shows The Angel Of The North sculpture by Antony Gormley with one of its wings clipped, to symbolize the 25% cuts proposed by the Government. More than 100 top Artistes have joined the campaign including most of the […]
The total cost of the arts to the average taxpayer is 17p per head per day. That’s £62.05 per year. I’m sure most of us can afford that. If cuts of 25% are implemented this will amount to around 12p per head per day a total of £43.80. The Arts contribute far more in tourism […]
In order to cope with government budget cuts, late-night opening to the permanent collection at London’s ‘Favourite Museum’ will be stopped on Thursday and restricted to one evening a week on Friday. British Museum Staff recruitment will be reduced as a result and savings made.The refreshments for internal meetings has also been halted immediately and […]
A £40 million pound outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum set on the Dundee waterfront gathered serious momentum, as the shortlisted designs were unveiled at an exhibition. The museum is scheduled to open by early 2015 and will focus on design and also host touring exhibitions. The six shortlisted firms were chosen from more […]
Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirror sculptures previewed against matt grey weather conditions in London today. The four works make up a sculpture installation which uses the backdrop of the park and water features as an ever-changing reflective source. I spoke to the Artist today and he is delighted with the way the sculptures interact with the […]
Entry to National Museums has been free since Labour abolished charging in 2001. The upshot was that attendance in 2002 soared by 2.7 million or 62%, as more and more people felt able to casually pop in, for a short visit without paying an entrance fee. The figures announced by the Department of Culture, […]
The Hatchet is Uncovered Leaked Cabinet Office documents revealed today show, the National Museums and Galleries service, a publicly funded body, which offers the public free admission to some of the country’s best-known cultural venues, is under threat and likely to be scrapped by the Government. There are 16 galleries in this category — including […]
Two leading figures in the art world are launching new gallery spaces next month. Both will be opulent palaces for the purpose of flogging mega art to the mega rich. Gagosian’s new space located on the right bank will open with shows by American painter Cy Twombly, 82 who lives and works in Lexington, Virgina. […]
A photographic portrait created by artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster showing the head of fashion icon Isabella Blow goes on show at the National Portrait Gallery from tomorrow. The image has been sculpted from, a rat, a rattlesnake, two dozen birds and a stylish heel from a discarded Manolo Blahnik shoe. It has been […]
As promised, Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger produced a new work to highlight proposed government cuts in the arts. The work entitled ‘Reckless’ takes Turner’s 1839 painting ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ showing “25% cut” out of the canvas in a Banksy style composite. A new work from artists supporting the cause will be released every week […]
Schlock Horror! Isobel Peachey, 31 may be the youngest Artist to paint an official portrait of the monarch but going by the middle age style in which she approaches the subject, she adds nothing original to Royal portraiture as a form. Trained at Wimbledon School of Art, Peachey is better known for her almost photographic […]
A memorial service has been held to honour the life and work of fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Dozens of tartan-clad bagpipers lined the steps of St. Paul’s cathedral as guests including Stella McCartney, Pam Hogg, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sarah Jessica Parker left the ceremony.
Who’s Exhibiting in 2010 The Frieze Art fair is the most important event on the London Contemporary Art calendar. It takes place from 14–17 October 2010. Held in a marquee in Regents Park, the fair features over 150 top international dealers. This years Frame section of the fair highlights galleries that have been operating for […]
Sculptor Patricia Cain has been awarded this years 25,000 Threadneedle Prize and artist duo Boyd & Evans have won the inaugural pound;10,000 Visitors’ Choice award.Selectors Xavier Bray, Assistant Curator at the National Gallery, David Rayson,Professor of Painting at the Royal College of Art and Michael Sandle RA, Fellow ofthe Royal British Society of Sculptors chose […]
Photo: Keith Coventry, Spectrum Jesus 2009 (oil on canvas, wood and glass 68.6 x 58 cm) This year’s prestigious John Moores Painting Prize has been won by 51 year old, Burnley-born Keith Coventry who takes home the £25,000 first prize for his painting, ‘Spectrum Jesus’. He was chosen from 3,000 entries and awarded […]
18-26 September All Over London In its eighth year, The London Design Festival is a nine-day celebration of design in the world’s creative capital, London! The Festival is a platform for the widest spectrum of design disciplines, brought together as a unique and accessible programme. It is an internationally renowned annual festival opening this Saturday, […]
The Public Art Advisory Panel is to be abolished after 14 years of successful work. Dedicated to choosing Art for public spaces, the expert opinions have been decisive in the commissioning of sculpture including the Nelson Mandela statue and the memorial to the victims of the July 7 bombings. Art experts advise whether public sculptures […]
Tate has announced that the prestigious Turner Prize 2011 will be mounted at the BALTIC in Newcastle. This is only the second time that the prize has been presented outside of London. In 2007 it was hosted by Tate Liverpool, ahead of the city’s tenure as European capital of culture.This is first time that it […]
The Future of public funding for the UK film industry will be discussed by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey and key figures in the film business later this week. Mr Vaizey said he wants a “robust” strategy to keep UK filmmaking thriving. “There is no question that public support for film is continuing.” He suggested that […]
Isabella Blow (1958-2007): One of the last 20th century fashion icons was sadly missed at the launch of a new book by her PA Martina Rink, celebrating her life and hats. ArtLyst covered the party, Haunch of Venison Gallery, London, 13/09/2010. The event was attended by many friends including,Boy George, Rupert Everett and Vidal Sassoon. […]
Ok this is completely silly and it’s not really art.I was walking by where George Michael crashed his car in Hampstead
It has been announced via a press release that John Woodward is standing down as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council. Commenting on his decision, Woodward said: “For the next few weeks the UK Film Council is in a dialogue with the Government about the future support structures for UK film. By choosing […]
Tate Modern announced at their annual press conference, that they had lost the backing of UBS the largest Swiss Bank. The extension building program is nearly at a halfway point in raising funds. UBS posted a first-quarter loss in April 2008 of 12 billion Swiss francs (then $11.9 billion). The bank has since turned around: […]
Lord Sainsbury has given the British Museum a £25m donation to create an improved conservation department and expand the exhibition spaces in the gallery. It is understood to be the largest single private donation in the last 20 years. The Conservative peer was also responsible for the controversial Sainsbury wing at the National Gallery designed […]
Campaign Highlighting Funding Cuts Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley is leading a campaign to protest against cuts to the Arts by the UK Government. A proposed 25% has been earmarked, shaving arts funding down to the bone. The campaign launch yesterday at London’s Royal Festival Hall has the backing of more than 100 high-profile visual artists, […]
The splendour of France’s royal palace Versailles and the manga-inspired work of Takashi Murakami join forces in a new exhibition where modern meets stately chateau. The exhibition has evoked it’s own controversy with many visitors to the world heritage site alarmed at the juxtaposing of the sculptures, many resembling oversized children’s toys with the existing […]
Walking by the HMV Store in Oxford Circus last night, I noticed two never before seen works by the Graffiti Artist Banksy. They were installed to promote the release of his video ‘ Exit Through The Gift Shop’ The works ,valued at around £100,000 are guarded by two members of security staff and are on […]