The colour red has had a wide variety of meanings and purposes throughout human history. The earliest use of red in the archaeological record comes from cave paintings drawn over thirty thousand years ago. Early humans used a naturally occurring pigment made of a mix of iron oxide and clay, now known as red ochre,… Continue reading The history of red
Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. In the case of Rachel Deacon, her artistic career was sent in a completely different direction by…a home extension. When the construction was complete and the builders had left, Rachel was left with a huge blank wall. It was crying out for a big canvas, a statement abstract… Continue reading Rachel Deacon at the Catto Gallery
Belinda Eaton’s magical realist paintings and portraits, done in acrylic or oil on canvas, are on show at the Catto Gallery after winning the Society of Women Artists prize. “My paintings are my world, my fascination for people, plants, animals and colour. They are how I perceive things with all their energy” said Eaton. Schooled… Continue reading Belinda Eaton at the Catto gallery
Located on a wall in Fitzrovia, London and appearing overnight on Easter Monday in 2011, it depicts one of Banksy’s iconic rats underneath the writing in red reading, “If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal”. This is a reference to a quote by 20th century political activist Emma Goldman who campaigned for Women’s rights, her words were: “If voting ever… Continue reading If graffiti changed anything it would be illegal (2011), Banksy
Barbara Kruger addresses media and politics in their native tongue: tabloid, sensational, authoritative, and direct. Kruger’s words and images merge the commercial and art worlds; their critical resonance eviscerates cultural hierarchies — everyone and everything is for sale. The year 1989 was marked by numerous demonstrations protesting a new wave of antiabortion laws chipping away at the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme… Continue reading Untitled (1980), Barbara Kruger
The original sculpture of The Knotted Gun also known as “Non-Violence” was created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, a friend of John Lennon’s family. Reuterswärd created this piece of art after Lennon’s tragic death to honour the singer’s vision of a peaceful world. The oversized public version of the piece was planned for John… Continue reading The Knotted Gun a.k.a. Non-Violence (1980), Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd
