The National Portrait Gallery contains this painting of Augustus John (by William Orpen). I like Augustus John- the most technically gifted painter of Edwardian England, generally thought to have wasted his talent or not fulfilled it, and a man with an interesting life, some of it scandalising the Edwardians with his bohemian lifestyle, boozing and unconventional living arrangements. The National Portrait Gallery is a fantastic gallery, not at all stuffy or staid, well laid out and full of interesting art- it even held the interest of some of my 6th form students for a while. And it's free. There's a Man Ray exhibition opening next week as well which I want to get back dahn sarf for before the end of May.
I posted a song by 90s folktronic outfit Ultramarine a couple of weeks ago. This one features the vocals of David McAlmont (what happened to him?). There was a version with Kevin Ayres singing it too which I think I've got somewhere, lying around on a hardrive.
Hymn
4 comments:
Free museums! Along with the minimum wage, one of the great legacies of the 97 Labour government (er, Don't Mention The War). Love the NG, NPG and Tate Britain especially - hoping to finally get to this tomorrow after sickly daughter care stopped me on Thurs.
If you're down in May without a troop of 6th Formers we should have a pint, or few.
We should Davy. I'm at the preliminary planning stage.
Perhaps would be nice to finally meet?
You too Ctel.
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