May Art Guide - London

Recommendations of what to see in the London art scene this month by our local guide, Marine Tanguy. Discover more on a private art tour!

I.

Exhibition: All Too Human
Artists: Various Artists
Venue: The Tate Britain
Dates: Until August 27th, 2018

Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Frank Aurbearch.. can we wish for a better line up? Get ready for skin, suspect fashion choices and again, a lot of skin. Amazing use of the paint material and a good way to face up to the mirror. 

II.

Exhibition: Rodin and the Art of Ancient Greece
Artists: Auguste Rodin and Various Artists
Venue: The British Museum
Dates: Until July 2018

Rodin may have taken the core of philosophical ideals in his sculptures, he gave them life and emotions. While you walk around the classical sculptures of the Parthenon, you can’t help but crave for a human feeling like the Burghers of Calais. I am biased as I love Rodin but I do recommend the exhibition. 

III.

Exhibition: The Squash
Artist: Anthea Hamilton
Venue: The Tate Britain
Dates: Until October 2018

It’s a little mad but a good response of old establishment art. I wish it was bearing more meaning. 

Discover more on a private art tour in London!

London Art Guide - January

I.

Exhibition: Cezanne Portraits  
Artist: Cezanne
Venue: National Portrait Gallery
Dates: Until February 11th 2018 

I love Cezanne and I will go see this exhibition again so many times before it ends. Each portrait bears so much brutal sincerity. The best get away from our Instagram filters. 

II.

Exhibition: Monochrome: Painting in Black and White
Artists: Rembrandt, Ingres, Picasso, Richter, Eliasson, and more
Venue: The National Gallery
Dates: Until February 18th 2018

Grey gives you so much to imagine from, notice and appreciate. It's always so incredible to see how many artists are drawn to experiment with shadow and light. It's beautiful and it's bold. 

III.

Sir John Soane Museum  
(Open all year, no specific exhibition) 

My favourite cabinet of curiosities, Sir John Soane has an incredible eye and a thirst for knowledge. Every wall, every corner is covered with art and antiques. The dream for an art collector. 

Take an art tour in London with Marine to discover more!

Textual Inspirations of Art World Professionals [PART 1]

Inspiration - noun  in·spi·ra·tion  \ ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən , -(ˌ)spi- \

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines inspiration as 'the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions'. It can strike at any time and its myriad sources differ amongst individuals. As we are constantly seeking out new creative outlets to inspire us, we decided to ask our local arty guides what texts have had a profound influence on them. Their answers ranged from ancient poetry to contemporary tomes. As professional art guides it is our passion to awaken the creative sides of others through the astounding power of art. 

Follow along with this ongoing series of posts to learn more about our guides and gain some inspiration for yourself along the way.

Local guide in London, Marine Tanguy, explaining her inspirations on an art tour

Part one of our series features the textual inspirations of local guide in London, Marine Tanguy.

The Poetry of John Keats

I love the Poetry of John Keats and specifically the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn. John Keats made me appreciate how much art and well being were tied together, as art could enhance life and make it more bearable. He also reinforces the value of powerful visuals when it comes to our routine.

Hellenistic Terracotta Hadra hydria. Image: The Met

Architecture & Society by Walter Gropius

While this book focuses on architecture a lot more strongly than art, it discusses the power of the arts for everyone within the Bauhaus philosophy. This is something that I believe in very strongly.

The Bauhaus School circa 1940s. Image: Bauhaus Dessau

The Bauhaus School today. Image: Bauhaus Dessau

Take a tour with Marine in London to discover more! 
 

London Art Guide - December

I. 

Exhibition: Control to Collapse
Artists: Artists Rebecca Byrne, Liz Elton, Ann-Marie James, Clare Price, Tamsin Relly, Alex Roberts, Tim A Shaw, Susan Slugett and Laura Smith
Venue: Blyth Gallery, Imperial College
Dates: Until January 3rd, 2018

The artists in Control to Collapse feel, interpret and respond to the viscosity of pigment and the absorbency of surface to find painterly gestures that take an active role in conveying meaning. Through this tactile connection with their materials, these artists draw on bodily intellect and let muscular memory guide the application of paint. 

II.

Exhibition: Cézanne Portraits
Artist: Paul Cézanne
Venue: National Gallery
Dates: Until February 11th, 2018

All of these works are incredible, bold, expressive and to the point. It's incredible to have all of them in one room and to see the evolution of Cézanne's brushstrokes over the years. 

III.

Exhibition: Rachel Whiteread
Artist: Rachel Whiteread
Venue: Tate Britain
Dates: Until January 21st, 2018

Her art turns things in and out: it's poetic and challenging. And yes, there is a strange quietude as you walk around the exhibition. A must! 

Take a tour with Marine in London to discover more!

Insider Tips for Collecting Contemporary Art

Our London guide Marine Tanguy's motto is "don't invest in art, invest in artists". She practices this affirmation as the founder of MTArt: the first artist agency promoting influential visual artists and specialising in talent management.    

Marine with a piece by Ignacio Munoz-Vicuna

What is your personal philosophy when it comes to collecting art for yourself?

I love living surrounded by inspiring artworks. It has to be inspiring visually, something so intricate and complex visually that I never get bored of it and also something with a deeper meaning which adds a reflective mood to my house. 

Can you tell us about one of your favorite pieces you have collected?

I've included images of some of my favorite artworks in this post. The first one is by Ignacio Munoz-Vicuna, Van Gogh used yellow to brighten up his mood and so do I with this artwork. The second picture in my lounge portrays the works of both Francesco de Prezzo and Alexandra Lethbridge, Francesco here had painted theses two paintings for hours and months until he destroyed them with white paint - it illustrates the temporarily of our effort - while Alexandra entertains my guests making them reflects upon their use of the gaze as an emotional content. I.e look at this girl and can you guess if she is surprised, happy or excited? Her gaze, now blocked by the artist, was your emotional context. The last works by Will Thomson are displayed in my spare bedroom often used by my artists, it is meant to be reflective, calm and inspiring with the blue colour he used. 

Marine with works by Francesco de Prezzo and Alexandra Lethbridge

What is your advice for other collectors of contemporary art today?

Buy what you love, meet the artists and support them. We need to support the amazing artists of tomorrow. 

Marine with a work by Will Thomson

Take a tour with Marine in London to learn more about the art she loves and her collecting philosophy!