So, time to raise a Private View glass of probably-questionable wine to the last days of 2013, and look back at another year.
To those who complain about Coventry in particular being a cultural desert it’s worth pointing out again that I’ve filled 52 weeks’ worth of columns with reviews of art exhibitions, plus short bits about art-related activities, and longer pieces and interviews on this blog. Yes, not all the exhibitions may have been world class but there’s a lot going on around here and new quality artists keep emerging.
One of the best bits about doing the column is going to many of the private views, or opening nights, and also experiencing some other whacky one-offs.
I started the year as part of the Mead’s exhibition Workplace, which offered people the chance to use a computer and desk for a couple of hours in the gallery while people looked round – that was entertaining. Later in the year at another Mead opening of an exhibition with a Buster Keaton-related theme there was the rather startling site of a young woman artist throwing herself off a scaffolding tower onto cardboard boxes.
This year several visitor attractions have got more involved with showing art as an added extra; the opening at Warwick Castle where Canalettos went on show in their original home, with candlelight and canapés, was fun. Ryton Organic Gardens showed several artists’ works amongst the plants. Two trips to Ragley Hall were great, the house standing majestically on the hill, and the stables being used as studios where enterprising Dawn Harris is working as artist in residence and has also held two exhibitions by various artists.
The second of these trips though produced my equal first for ‘most ludicrous art experience’ of the year. Finding our way from the Hall to the stables in the pitch dark was funny at first, then less so as we found ourselves stumbling around in the grounds with the massive stables staying elusive, and then found people had followed us to oblivion too. The other winner was an architecture walk around Coventry with the author Owen Hatherley, organised by the LGP gallery in Jordan Well, Coventry. Unfortunately clashing with the turning on of Coventry’s Christmas lights it promised a lot, but Owen had to compete with bands, fairground rides, a train pulling families through the precinct and the whole thing was timed to end with the showing of a film in Millennium Place, which meant the last bit was literally done at a run – by some anyway. Then the film wasn’t playing, but a brass band were …
More odd but fun times were had visiting several varied studios at Warwickshire’s Open Studios, which offer great free outings. I’d already met George Wagstaffe and Michala Gyetvai at the Ragley opening, and they exhibited together at George’s home, his sculptures and her textile works completely different and somehow working together because of it. I’m looking forward to their exhibition at the Michael Heseltine gallery in the new year.
Other highlights – interviewing Louise Wilson who with sister Jane showed Unfolding the Aryan Papers, a beguiling film installation work at the Herbert earlier in the year, and seeing them give a really interesting talk at the gallery; meeting Jo Gane when she was exhibiting at the Roots gallery in Coventry, several years after first meeting her in Birmingham. Her domestic archaeology exhibition was fascinating, and she exhibited with Caroline James who highlighted lost delights of Coventry.
Adrian Palka investigated further from home, in Siberia, for his installation as part of the Coventry Peace Festival which was varied and illuminating.
Back at Roots in the autumn I met Avril Moore, who had attended the Slade from 1951; we had a chat and she told me she’d wanted to organise her own retrospective rather than someone else doing it after she was dead; poignant words as she died suddenly just weeks later. I was sorry I only got to meet her that once.
Coventry University stays important in the city’s art world for many reasons. Lecturer John Devane won second prize in the BP Portrait Award, and exhibited in Rugby where it was a little disconcerting to see the subjects of some of his portraits wandering amongst them. The university degree show was as varied as ever, but of the works that stood out I included Jack Foster, and it’s interesting to know that as well as classmate Mircea Teleaga he will be having an exhibition at the Lewis Gallery in Rugby in the new year.
Jack follows in the footsteps of Matthew Macaulay who was once artist in residence there, and I met Matthew at several different venues where he has exhibited his own and other people’s work. And now he’s secured an Arts Council grant for more arts development work in Coventry in 2014, which has to be good news.
On holiday, I ended up at a kiln opening in Pembrokeshire, where sculptor Adam Buick revealed dozens of his moon jars. It was a chaotic scene where we sipped wine in a farmyard while children and dogs ran wild and I wondered if I’d ever make it back to St David’s on the bumpy track, but it was a lovely event to have attended.
Slightly nearer to home, the exhibition of works by Pauline Boty, a sadly neglected pop artist, was great as was the book to accompany it, and it was good to visit Wolverhampton’s impressive gallery again. Compton Verney in Warwickshire was a delight to visit as ever, especially for the summer landscapes exhibition which offered us some unseen George Shaw’s amongst other things. At Rugby, Pip Dickens’s Japanese-influenced exhibition was a highlight, and their openings are memorable for the quality nibbles. Nuneaton’s Museum and Art Gallery carried on quietly sometimes throwing in a great exhibition, such as the excellent old English photographs of John Gay, and the current Matisse cut-out lithographs, and at Leamington the frequently-changing main collection is as good a quality as the changing exhibitions.
There has been some continuity and change amongst the small galleries this year. The White Room in Leamington has held fewer exhibitions, but the openings are still good fun, especially the recent one for the Bridget Riley prints exhibition. Roots gallery in Coventry has come and gone, but I hope that central exhibition space is put to use again soon. In Leamington there was change at Gallery 150, with former boss Gerry Smith opening up new artists’ work and exhibition space almost opposite. Mick McCormick is battling on showing local artists’ work in Dunchurch. Lanchester Gallery Projects have been doing something different to all the other local galleries, but I gather that’s all going to change in the new year.
So, cheers to the artists and gallery owners and managers for a fun 2013, and looking forward to hopefully much more in 2014. And if you haven’t ventured out to many exhibitions yourself – take a look and be pleasantly surprised.
Private View II 
Nonetheless, the super-slim slider one is undoubtedly the very best
one. Even the 1,340,000,000 effects on Google
failed to supply the exact date of the smartphone.
We need to shift DVD to iPhone reinforced format first.
LikeLike
How many instances have many folks been on the road home from work,
and made a decision to drop-off at the grocery
store. It is audio specifically selected for you, according to your alternatives.
LikeLike
Along with every thung whioch appear to be developing within thyis specific subject material, many of
your perspectives are quite exciting. Nonetheless, I amm sorry, because I do not subscribe to youir entiure strategy, all
be it refreshing none the less. It looks to everyone that
your opinions are actually not totally validated and in reality you aare generally yourself not wholly confident off your assertion.
In any case I did enjoy examining it.
I do enjoy the way you have presented this particular
LikeLike
This will as well void your warranty untethered ios 7.1 jailbreak but
if a big way in both print and through digital distribution.
You can’t still, automatically, different the instance with earlier iOS variants,
where you were necessitated to update them manually.
From the moment you opened the box to the time you are already utilizing it a
robust music participant, video participant and camera scheme.
LikeLike
Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted
to give a quick shout out and say I genuinely enjoy reading your
posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go
over the same topics? Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to
say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog
posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
LikeLike
Hi Dear, are you truly visiting this web page daily, if so after that you
will absolutely obtain good knowledge.
LikeLike
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re using?
I’m having some minor security problems with my
latest site and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you
have any solutions?
LikeLike
rolex submariner replica
It’s very trouble-free to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I
found this piece of writing at this site.
LikeLike
I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.
Reading this information So i’m glad to convey that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I came
upon just what I needed. I most without a doubt will make certain to don?t overlook this site and give it
a look regularly.
LikeLike
cheap studio beats
Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board
and I to find It really useful & it helped me out a
lot. I am hoping to present something back and help others such as
you aided me.
LikeLike
Below the display it has only 1 key which can be used to return
back to the menu. You’ll visit a warning pop-up, which you’d need to press enter for.
It’s a novel method of getting feedback on just about anything.
LikeLike
I read this piece of writing fully on the topic of the difference of
latest and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.
LikeLike
Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together.
I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
LikeLike
Appreciating the persistence you put into your website and
in depth information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed
information. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
LikeLike
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell
and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off
topic but I had to tell someone!
LikeLike
smartphone test
Hi there, all the time i used to check website
posts here early in the daylight, because i enjoy to gain knowledge of more and more.
smartphone test
LikeLike
In level infact, I am aware you might repair the Ps3 jailbreak within this specific time!
It is appropriate for Mobile and 2G, 3G models of iPhone and 1G,
2G and 3G models of iTouch. The software that needs no introduction.
LikeLike
So again, learn to accept all your uncomfortable feelings and hhow
i get my ex boyfriend back emotions. These kinds of relkationships take
preparation and work, it would be gdeat to talk how i get my ex boyfriend bacck to
each other no mafter what their plans are.
Alll discussion always flows within the boundaries of society.
Look att this scenario; you spend all your time watching football or at a friend, lover
or family tie? And when pet-related contlicts escalate, it
ccan be no laughing matter.
LikeLike
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found
that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will
be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
LikeLike
you’re truly a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is incredible.
It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
In addition, The contents are masterwork.
you have done a magnificent job in this topic!|
LikeLike
Countless successful sexual relationships commenced with a shared joke and also the same might possibly
materialize to suit your needs. These websites also provide same fucking
stuff for you personally personally however they are less expensive than their counterparts.
I worked on an automatic dispatch company so the men entered in their own credit info before being
routed to me.
LikeLike
That’s why iPhones are so liked from everyone
including main school college students and elderly also.
Firmware update, will get cracked, firmware update, will get cracked, awesome.
The main distinction is more in the terminology.
LikeLike
Excellent way of telling, and fastidious article to take information about my presentation
focus, which i am going to convey in university.
LikeLike
You really make it appear so easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really one thing that I believe I
would never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely vast for me.
I am having a look forward to your subsequent post, I’ll
try to get the hang of it!|
LikeLike
If you would like to increase your familiarity simply keep visiting this web page and be updated with
the most recent news update posted here.
LikeLike
Van Dusen claimed many tax deductions on her 2004 tax return,
for all the expenditures she’d put out for the 70 (yes, you read that correctly) stray
and feral cats she had fostered, as part of her volunteer work with Fix Our Ferals, a non-profit California
charity. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude
of topics, including those pertaining to business news.
Instead, you need to write for the crowd you are targeting.
LikeLike
Say Yes to pleasure, Yees to getting wilder, YES homo seex date to
going furtheer then you thought you ere summoning
up.
LikeLike
Thanks very nice blog!
LikeLike
Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover someone that truly understands what they
are talking about online. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it
important. More and more people ought to check this out and understand
this side of the story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular because
you definitely have the gift.
LikeLike
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering
the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case
you shield this increase.
LikeLike
The device would nonetheless require a good amount of internal storage for applications.
What’s much more, you can have the alarm clock count-down on the
show or even your preferred pics. Any cellphone can be customized with a ringtone.
LikeLike
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog?
My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from some of
the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Appreciate it!
LikeLike
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was once a amusement
account it. Look complex to far introduced agreeable from
you! However, how can we communicate?
LikeLike
cheap replica tudor watches
I write a leave a response whenever I like a post
on a site or I have something to add to the discussion. Usually it is triggered by the
fire communicated in the article I read. And on this post Thanks for the memories – the
year in art in Coventry and Warwickshire – Coventry Telegraph – Private View.
I was excited enough to post a thought 😉 I actually do have a couple of questions for you if it’s
allright. Is it simply me or does it give the impression
like a few of the responses look like left by brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are writing on other places, I would like to
keep up with you. Would you make a list the complete urls of
your public sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?
LikeLike
The theme has a responsive design that means it will automatically adapt to look great on any screen and all mobile
devices. When you have kids playing video games online,
turn off chat. You will discover individuals who
would watch the video in line with the title.
LikeLike
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to
check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
Thank you, very nice post.
LikeLike
Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, as i want enjoyment,
since this this site conations really good funny
data too.
LikeLike
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like
this one nowadays.
LikeLike
It’s awesome in favor of me to have a site, which is helpful designed for
my knowledge. thanks admin|
LikeLike
ʜi therе! Do you kոow if tɦey make any plugins tο assist ԝith SEO?
I’m tryіng to get my blog tо rank for some targeted keywords Ьut I’m not seing
veгy good success. If yߋu ҟnow οf any pleasе share.
Аppreciate іt!
LikeLike
Thanks for finally talking about >Thanks for the memories – the year in art in Coventry and Warwickshire – Coventry Telegraph – Private View
LikeLike
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out some additional information.
LikeLike
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a
quick visit this web site on regular basis to take updated
from newest news update.
LikeLike
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me
to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
Fantastic work!
LikeLike
When some one searches for his necessary thing, therefore he/she wishes to be available that in detail,
so that thing is maintained over here.
LikeLike
He then announces that the festivities can now commence.
Click on File and from the list of choices select Page Setup.
Lucinda Jones is a freelance writer who writes about weddings,
usually focusing on a specific aspect of a wedding such as
dyeable shoes.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I
am waiting for your further post thanks once again.|
LikeLike
kreditvergleich
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in fact used to be a entertainment account it.
Look advanced to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
kreditvergleich
LikeLike
Hi there! Quick question that’s completely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My
weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone4.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this
issue. If you have any recommendations, please share.
Thanks!
LikeLike