13-14 August 2010
Friday the 13th - We start at Tate Britain and giggle our way around their latest saucy whopper. Rude Britannia (pics above) is a grand celebration of Britain's taste for the "naughty but nice" - we find it funny in places and a little dull in others, still worth a visit though - you will be delighted to read that the sausage in the can (above) slowly slid in and out of the beans! Next up the National Portrait Gallery. The BP Portrait Award (pics below) is the most prestigious portrait competition in the world, promoting the very best in contemporary portrait painting. We find the content less than rewarding and no better than the last few years! - we move on.
The Rubbish bin men by Jason Butler - Molly Parkin by Darren Coffield
Saturday the 14th - Before heading up to Manchester for the weekend to see our chums. We manage to pull ourselves away from the delights of Kings Cross and head over to the brilliant Gagosian Gallery.
Picasso: The Mediterranean Years (1945-1962) (pics below) is a joy. Beautiful abstract paintings, pottery and sculptures fill this fantastic space with the light and warmth of the Med... bliss!
Sylvette 1954 Picasso
Installation view Picasso at the Gagosian
Rude Britannia 5 out of 10, BP Portrait awards 5 out of 10
Picasso: The Mediterranean Years 10 out of 10
