Painting in the 50s and 60s was a simpler joyful affair, a love triangle between the canvas, chosen medium and the landscape. Abstract art was the new bedrock of pursuit for many artists in St Ives, London and the rest of the world, championed by Peter Lanyon, Bryan Wynter along with Gillian Ayres, Patrick Proktor and William Scott.

The Whitworth displays a quality collection of work including several sculptural forms by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore alongside large abstractly patterned, textile tapestries.

One thing I do know is that small doesn’t necessarily mean it has less impact. The paintings by Graham Sutherland are great, Peter Lanyon‘s use of blue forms on the canvas have never looked better and Gillian Ayres abstract ‘scrawling’ and collage are simply gorgeous in my eyes. I could have spent longer here lingering over the works but as ever the next room beckons and this time it was the surreal astral world of Bedwyr Williams (my previous blog).

Most of the larger paintings exuded their own mystical allegiance, perhaps in tune with Bedwyr’s star-gazing installations. The final painting to view was Hepworth’s ‘Marble Form’ drawing you into ‘The Starry Messenger’.

It’s also definitely worth exploring the fantastic ‘Art_Textiles’ exhibition – hard to miss with the monumental blood-red, circular, hanging woven piece taking centerstage in the room. There’s an array of work here to see and my personal favourites are Do Ho Suh’s stunningly embroidered ‘paintings’ (remember his fabric constructed rooms from his home in New York – my Bristol blog).

So yes another reason to visit the Whitworth…

My fiancé admiring Graham Sutherland 🙂

The ‘Womb’ cord structure mimicking a spider’s web

Art_Textiles
On until 31st January 2016

Abstracted Landscapes
On until 10th January 2016

Warning: 

Please take note that your art may flourish from reading this blog 🙂