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
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.
ReplyDeleteIf 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.
ReplyDeletePerhaps would be nice to finally meet?
ReplyDeleteYou too Ctel.
ReplyDelete