20TH CENTURY DESIGN Wall Decorations

Study for a man seated sculpture Michael Kenny RA Original Artist: Michael Kenny RA (1941-1999) Chalk numbers on verso Born in Liverpool 1941, he son of an engineer. Studied at Liverpool art school, alongside Stuart Sutcliffe (an early Beatle) and John Lennon. He then went onto Slade in 1961 to study under Reg Butler, who nicknamed his protege "the Liverpool Italian". His distinguished career began when exhibited in Oxford in 1964. Michael was one of the most influential British sculptors of his generation and his contemplative geometric stone works became increasingly well regarded. He was elected associate member of the Royal Academy in 1976 and a Royal Academician in 1986. Today his work is held in museums all over the world including the British Museum, The Tate Gallery and the V&A in London. He has had solo shows in Germany, Sweden, Milan, Paris, Los Angeles, London, Japan and Dubai. Subsequently many corporations and private collectors throughout the world hold examples of his work. On Michael Kenny's gravestone in Highgate cemetery is the title of one of his sculptures, More Loved Than Known. The legend has been prophetic. He has a passionate following among the thousands of students he taught, who include Antony Gormley and Damien Hurst. Michael Kenny: Sculpture & Drawings This was an exhibition of Michael Kenny’s recent sculptures and drawings, from 1975 to 1977. Kenny (1941-1999) first studied in his home city of Liverpool before moving to London to continue his studies at the Slade. Following a successful international career, he was appointed a Royal Academician in 1986, and in 1997, two years before his death, he had a solo exhibition at the Royal Academy. Several of the sculptures in this Serpentine exhibition derived from his earliest pre-occupation, the human figure. In the works displayed, Kenny took particular inspiration from the female figure, lying or sitting, occupying, and informing an intimate space. We can see the workings of the Artist and possible preparatory sketch for the included sculpture in the following images. Michael Kenny was a sculptor and a painter, a prolific draughtsman and a print-maker. His early sculptures are dramatic, dealing with the isolation and loneliness of the individual. In later years, he worked mainly in stone in a quest for a sculpture that is simple in form and rich in meaning. With over 60 illustrations and key excerpts from the sculptor's own notebooks, this book provides the first opportunity to examine in detail the progress of Michael Kenny's career. Peter Davies...

Artist: Adrian Hill (1895-1977) Label verso: The Royal Institute Galleries,195 Piccadilly London W1 Medium: Oil Adrian Keith Graham Hill was born in Charlton, London. Educated a...

The painter Guillermo Pérez Villalta was born in 1948 in Cadiz. He studied architecture but eventually moved on to study painting. He moved to...

Grayson Perry’s *Scale* at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is a striking exploration of the intersection between art, society, and the aspirations of emerging artists. Perry, known for his provocative and thought-provoking works, utilizes the concept of a silk scarf as both a functional item and a metaphorical guide. This scarf serves not only as a visual piece but also as a social and cultural map, designed to assist aspiring artists in navigating the challenging landscape of the art world. The work reflects Perry’s unique ability to blend personal narrative with broader cultural commentary, encouraging dialogue about the challenges and triumphs faced by those striving for recognition in the arts. The text accompanying the silk scarf reveals its historical significance, referencing World War II when pilots were provided with silk maps for escape in enemy territory. Perry draws a parallel between this notion of survival and the struggles faced by contemporary artists. He emphasizes that the art world can often feel like a hostile environment, filled with obstacles that must be overcome. The scarf represents a navigational tool for these artists, offering guidance through a landscape populated by influential figures and established norms. By presenting the journeys of both renowned artists and the paths aspiring creators might take, Perry crafts a narrative that resonates deeply with anyone familiar with the pressures of artistic validation. Perry’s choice of silk as the medium further enhances the piece’s thematic richness. Silk, with its connotations of luxury and fragility, reflects the delicate balance that artists must maintain between their personal vision and the expectations of the establishment. The inclusion of notable artists who have paved the way for others along the route serves to inspire and motivate aspiring creators. By using this metaphorical scarf, Perry invites viewers to consider the complexities of artistic identity and the ongoing quest for acceptance, making *Scale* a powerful commentary on the nature of success and the shared experiences within the artistic community. The artwork details a fictional artist’s journey from birth to success, naming the artists, experiences and influences they encounter along the way. The text of this journey reads: Start here, Walt Disney, Play, Vincent Van Gogh, Rolf Harris, John Constable, Anish Kapoor, Louise Bourgeois, Inspirational Teacher, Rachel Whiteread, Picasso, Rene Magritte, Edward Hopper, Teenage Pupation, David Hockney, Jackson Pollock, Art School, Trainee Bohemians, Marcel Duchamp, Banksy, Beryl Cook, Jack Vettriano, Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll, Francis Bacon, Bridget Riley, Gilbert & George, Art Dealer, Hirst, Money Celebrity Fashion Drugs, Networking, Carl Andre, Choices, Takahashi Murakami...

Henry Coombes, British b.1977- "Umbrella" 2005; mixed media, oil paint on found umbrella, 84cm long, (ARR) Provenance: Purchased from Sorcha Dallas Gallery, Glasgow by the previous owner. Henry wrote: “The Umbrella was in my studio in 2005, being rainy Glasgow, I used it, left it open to dry. I was painting a series of oil paintings you can find on my website, ( oil painting section) Glen Golly, Ponker, Lady offering Cock to Fox. I loved what was happening on the pallet more than what was happening on the canvas. So the end of every day I would scrape it off and smear it on the umbrella. I am somewhat superstitious I believe in the notion of bad luck, I was afraid the open umbrella would upset the painting gods. So the ritual of putting the paint on the umbrella was to change into something new that would appease the spirits of bad luck, and bring good fortune to the painting. Paint is a fluid process will ultimately can not control, and if we try to hard it becomes dull illustration. I teach art in prison I see painting holding together the lives of life prisoners. I have huge faith in its power and same time I am humbled by it every time I go into the studio”. Henry Coombes’ distinctive art practice has received wide recognition since his graduation from Glasgow School of Art in 2002. He has a multi-disciplinary practice working in painting, collage, drawing, sculpture and film. Earlier film works like ‘Laddy and the Lady’ and ‘The Bedfords’ explored ideas of class, hierarchy, hunting for sport and Victorian...

Watercolour by David Birtwhistle. Titled, "Barn cat”. Signed lower left. Glazed and framed in gold coloured frame. David Birtwhistle was born in 1947, the son of a Methodist minis...

Eduardo Arroyo Rodríguez (26 February 1937 – 14 October 2018) was a Spanish painter and graphic artist. He was also active as an author and set designer. Arroyo, who was born in M...

The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad and commonly known as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport even...

The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad and commonly known as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August...

The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the games of the XXV Olympiad and commonly known as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August...

The 1992 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad and commonly known as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August...

Josep Guinovart (20 March 1927 in Barcelona – 12 December 2007 in Barcelona) was a Catalan painter most famous for his informalist or abstract expressi...

Antoni Clavé (5 April 1913 – 1 September 2005) was a Catalan master painter, printmaker, sculptor, stage designer and costume designer. He was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design) for his work on the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen. Clavé was one of Spain's best known and most celebrated artists. His work evolved from a baroque, ornamental style to a pure, minimal aesthetic. In his later years, his work is completely abstract, employing expressive lines and exploring the boundaries of collage, objet trove, shading, texture and color. He was trained at the School of Fine Arts, Barcelona, where he was taught by Angel Ferrant and Felix Mestres. With his works being influenced by artists such as Bonnard, Vuillard and Roualt. He is best known for his lyrical abstractions, works which combine paint with collage. Clavé fought in the Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War, and served as draughtsman for the Republican government. He arrived in France as a refugee in 1939 and went straight to Paris to work as an illustrator. His first one-man exhibition was held at the Au sans Pareil bookshop, 37 Avenue Kleber in Paris in 1940, where Max Ernst and other leading figures from the Dada movement had their first exhibitions in the 1920s. In 1944 Clavé met Picasso and began making figure compositions that were deeply influenced by Picasso's work, featuring kings, harlequins, children, and still lives. His theatrical designs have appeared on stages in New York, Munich, London and Paris, as well as in the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen. His works include sets for opera, theatre, and ballet, most notably for Roland Petit's ballet company, Les Ballets des Champs Elysees (1945-1951) including Los Caprichos (1946) Carmen (1949) and a comic ballet choreographed by Roland Petit called Deuil en 24 Heures.In 1951 he designed La maison de Bernarda Alba (The House of Bernarda Alba) for director Marcel Achard at the Theatre de l'Oeuvre in Paris, and in 1962, a production of The Marriage of Figaro for Maurice Sarrazin at Théatre de la cour de l'Archeveché in Aix-en-Provence. In 1957 Clavé began to design carpets and from 1960 he began to work on sculptural bas reliefs...

Original Barcelona Summer Olympic Poster for the XXV Games by Artist Robert Llimós. Robert Llimós was born on 19 October 1943 in Barcelona. ...

He began painting and writing in 1947 in Madrid while suffering from tuberculosis, having already been confined to his bed for five years. In his beginnings he created numerous drawings and paintings with a dreamlike surrealist character that most often represented imaginary landscapes, employing a flat smooth treatment that offers a rich palette of colors. He claimed Hans Arp and Yves Tanguy as his artistic influences. He stayed in Paris in 1952 and in 1954–1955 during which he met Benjamin Péret and associated with the Surrealists, although he soon parted with the group, joining instead the company of his friend the painter Simon Hantaï. Using the technique of scraping, he adopted a gestural style and created an abstract type of painting, still very colorful with an organic, aleatory design. The first appearances in his work of forms that will soon become archetypes of the female body or the human figure occur in the mid-1950s. Starting in 1956 Saura tackled the register of what will prove to be his greatest works: women, nudes, self-portraits, shrouds and crucifixions, which he painted on both canvas and paper. In 1957 in Madrid he founded the El Paso Group and served as its director until it broke up in 1960. During this period Saura met Michel Tapié. During the 1950s he had his first solo exhibition at the Rodolphe Stadler Gallery in Paris, where he regularly exhibited throughout his life. Stadler introduced him to Otto van de Loo in Munich and Pierre Matisse in New York City, both of whom exhibited his work and represented him, and eventually his paintings were collected by major museums. Limiting his palette to blacks, grays and browns, Saura asserted a personal style that was independent of the movements and trends of his generation. His work followed in the tradition of Velasquez and Goya. Starting in 1959 he began creating a prolific body of works in print, illustrating numerous books including Cervantes's Don Quijote, Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Nöstlinger's adaptation of Pinocchio, Kafka’s Tagebücher, Quevedo’s Three Visions, and many others. In 1960 Saura began creating sculptures made of welded metal elements which represented the human figure, characters and crucifixions. In 1967 he settled permanently in Paris, and joined the opposition to Francoist Spain. In France he participated in numerous debates and controversies in the fields of politics, aesthetics and artistic creation. He also broadened his thematic and pictorial register. Along with his Femmefauteuil (literally "Womanarmchair"), he also worked on the series "Imaginary Portraits",and Goya’s Dog...

Jean-Michel Folon (1 March 1934 – 20 October 2005) was a Belgian artist, illustrator, painter, and sculptor The first exhibition of his watercolors was in New York in 1969 in the Lefebre Gallery. One year later he exhibited in Tokyo and in the Il Milione gallery in Milan. He also participated in the XXVth Venice Biennale. In 1973 he joined the selection of Belgian artists in the XXVth São Paulo Biennale, where he was granted the Grand Prize in Painting. Over the years his work concentrated on different techniques, including watercolor, etching, silkscreen, illustrations, mosaics, and stained glass, which showed the diversity of his art. His work Ein Baum stirbt - Un albero muore, 1974, is by Museo Cantonale d’Arte [de] of Lugano. He also designed numerous posters, often for humanitarian causes. Around 1988 he created his first sculptures made out of wood. He then moved on to creating sculptures in clay, plaster, bronze and marble, while continuing to paint. Several museums dedicated exhibitions to him, among them the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1971, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam in 1976, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1977, the Musée Picasso in Antibes...