Michael Pinsky – Plunge

Plunge is a piece currently showing in London which invites us to use our imaginations and gives us the rare opportunity to glimpse at how London could potentially look 1000 years from now. A harrowing view of a city submerged in water, changed beyond recognition. Artist Michael Pinsky has placed blue LED markers on 3 famous landmarks around the city. These markers are set at the potential height that the sea level could reach in 1000 years if things go unchanged emissions-wise.

This piece on climate change is running until the 1st April 2012. It began as a commission for London’s Lift Festival which celebrated its 30th Birthday this year. The markers are located at:

-The Duke of York Column, Waterloo Place

-The Paternoster Square Column, near St Paul’s Cathedral

-Seven Dials Sundial Pillar, Covent Garden

Michael Pinsky, Plunge, Duke of York Column. Photo: Kristian Buus

Michael Pinsky, Plunge, Paternoster Square Column. Photo: Julian Andrews

Michael Pinsky, Plunge, Seven Dials Sundial Pillar. Photo: Julian Andrews

The idea for the piece came from Pinsky observing the water levels drop in a reservoir in Scotland to reveal a church bell tower. The tower seems to act as an object of remembrance to a village that was submerged in order to fill the demand for a reliable water supply. “If we do not prevent the predicted effects of climate change from occurring this will become the prevailing image of London, towers and monuments encircled by an ever-expanding Thames.” Michael Pinsky, 2010

For further information or to see how you can help affect climate change please visit:

www.michaelpinsky.com

www.liftfestival.com

www.plungelondon.com

Lucian Freud

O3 Gallery trip to the National Portrait Gallery

Lucian Freud (1922-2011) is considered one of the greatest realist painters of our time, having a life-long interest in the human face and figure. He is incredibly skilled in that he was able to portray his nudes naturally and anatomically correct. Artists often flatter the human body in their work but here he has shown it for what it is.

After visiting his exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery, O3 Gallery members Rona and Rie were shocked at the difference between his early style and his work made towards the end of his life. His early works having been painted so finely with shockingly large eyes, and his later works, with thick brush strokes and the structure of the body spot on.

Lucian Freud Portraiture Exhibition continues to run from the 9^th February – 27^th May 2012 and is a must see so be sure not to miss it!

Private view – Caroline Maas

On Friday 24th of February, O3 Gallery Student Ambassador Dara attended the Caroline Mass private view at the O3 Gallery…

Walking around the gallery I was taken in by the colors and exquisite textures of the prints. It was a beautiful array of both, the scale of the prints and the scale of the landscapes pictured. One of the stunning things about etching and print making in general, is that once you have experienced it yourself, once you have been involved in the process of making a print, you will never look at print-work the same way. In my case, as I stare at the work, I’m also imagining the process, the layers and most important the plates. I had the chance to speak to Caroline Maas, we talked about her work, the layering of color, craft, pollution and Ethiopia! Speaking to her was so easygoing and relaxed, that subjects sprung up and down and we followed them with ease. It was an absolute pleasure meeting Caroline, inspiring!

Through out the rest of the evening my friend Albert Sackey and I took some pictures of the show, tried to capture the laid back atmosphere that was present on that day.

The exhibition will be on until the 18th of March 2012, make sure you make room in your calendar to visit!

Opening times: Tue-Fri 12-5pm; Sat & Sun 11am -4pm

101 Years Old: The Ultimate Picture Palace

An Event, One Hundred and One Years Old, will be held on Wednesday 11th April, 10:30am – 1.00pm at the Ultimate Picture Palace, Jeune Street, Oxford.

The Oxford Picture Palace first opened its doors to an audience on the 26^th February 1911.

101 years later this unlikely survivor is still operating. The visit will include a film of the history of the Little Picture Palace and fascinating stories about running the cinema from Bill Heine (Radio Oxford, previous owner) Becky Hallsmith (present owner) and Ian Meyrick (film historian).

Coffee 10.30.   Film 11.00.  Talks 12.00 noon.

Ticket Price £20.00 to include coffee

Contact: Felix Lam tel:  01865 874945  email: felixartfund@btinternet.com

Marilyn Monroe: Legend, Myth and Icon

O3 Gallery Intern Charlotte visited Venice for the first time last month for a short city break for a dose of Venetian culture. She soon noticed that down every alley way and in every square the city’s walls were adorned with pictures of Marilyn Monroe….

We decided to go along to the beautiful Palazzo Bembo Exhibition space, just off the Grand Canal, to find out what all the fuss was about…

The Legend, Myth and Icon Exhibition opened on 20th December and runs through to the end of February. It brings together over one hundred and fifty works dedicated to the figure of Monroe. Palazzo Bembo, a 15^th century Venetian noble home overlooking he Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, recently opened the new permanent exhibition space to mark the occasion of the 2011 Venice Biennale of Art.

Through this wide selection of works, ranging from photographs, paintings, prints, collages and sculptures, a group of well-known international contemporary artists and photographers portray the Hollywood star from the very beginning to the highlights of her career and until Bert Stern’s famous “Last Sitting” shot just a few days before her mysterious death in 1962. Works made after this date, like the famous series of silkscreens by Andy Warhol, reflect on Marilyn’s iconic status, investigating her beauty and, ultimately, paying homage to her charisma and sensuality.

I was really glad to have visited the exhibition, I felt that it was very well curated and Palazzo Bembo couldn’t have provided a more atmospheric space for displaying art works encompassing a truly timeless legend, myth and icon.

Ardington School of Crafts

The O3 Gallery hosted a ‘Crafty Networking’ evening last Wednesday which provided an opportunity for buyers, makers and even those just ‘crafty curious’ to meet up and share their interests. We met Roz from the Ardington School of Crafts in Oxfordshire who was representing and promoting the new craft courses especially designed for beginner adults. The courses on offer range from stone carving and silverwork to calligraphy and embroidery.

Click here for more information

Valentine’s Day Gifts at O3 Gallery

Flowers and chocolates not your thing? Show that special someone you care with an arty gift from the O3 this Valentine’s…

Love hearts purse by Sweetly Wrapped £12.00

'Missing' Artist book by Neil Mabbs £5.00

Tatty Devine Chirpy Necklace £21.00

Nylon Sky Rose Necklace £10.00

OVADA on the Map

On Tuesday (7th February) Oxfordshire’s Visual Arts Development Agency (OVADA) teamed up with Roves and Roams to host an evening of performance in their uber cool new building! Situated on Osney Lane (en route between the O3 Gallery and Jam Factory) OVADA opened the big red doors to their rough and ready but incredibly wonderful new warehouse space…

 

The evening began with a talk by Dr Tracey Warr, editor of ‘The Artists Body’ and ‘Live Art Now’ and current Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art Theory at Oxford Brookes University. Warr’s lecture provided a short critical history of durational performance. This was followed by a durational performance (of approximately 20 minutes) by internationally regarded artist Anya Liftig. The work ‘Produce/Procreate’ featured the artist gazing up at a cactus. Like a number of Liftig’s works, feminist associations could be drawn from this piece.

 We are very excited to  have OVADA as our new neighbour and look forward to their future exhibitions and events in their fabulous new venue!

The Road is Wider than Long: Roland Penrose and British Surrealism

This exhibition is a sure thing not to miss at the Southampton City Art Gallery.  Artworks by celebrated artists such as Conroy Maddox, Paul Nash and the last living British Surrealist, Desmond Morris, are included.  Desmond Morris is famous as an accomplished author, broadcaster and zoologist, in addition to being an eminent painter.

This exhibition focusses on the influence of the artist, historian and poet, Sir Roland Penrose who founded the ICA in London.  He was largely responsible for establishing the English Surrealist movement, through coordinating  the International Surrealist Exhibition in 1936.

Tim Craven (curator), Desmond Morris, Tony Penrose

Desmond Morris & O3 Gallery Assistant Rona

A notable room, painted jungle green, displayes an array of paintings by Congo, Desmond Morris’s pet chimp from London Zoo.  These works are actually beautiful in their specific markings and colour and one can also watch a short video of Congo at work.

Congo at work

Painting by Congo

Although Desmond Morris is still producing a large amount of new work, it was interesting to see one of his very early works, which was included in the show.

Desmond Morris- A Girl Selling FLowers 1946

Sheila Legge, the phantom surrealist reappeared after her first appearance in Trafalgar square in 1936!

Sheila Legge, 1936Sheila Legge & Desmond Morris 2012

Art Teachers Exhibition Private View

On Friday 13th January there was a Private View for the Art Teachers Exhibition which is currently on show at the O3. All the artists’ family and friends were invited and friends of the Gallery attended making it a truly buzzing event! The evening was a great opportunity to preview this special exhibition. It’s not very often that we get the chance to see our County’s teachers’ work displayed in a public space… there was no need for encouragement!

Here are some pictures from the event…

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