On the somewhat auspicious day of Friday 13th I was invited to the home and then on to the studio of one of Britain's greatest living artists - Frank Bowling OBE, RA to see his latest very illuminating work. But first we drank tea and spoke about his love the National Gallery's permanent collection and his disappointment that he narrowly missed out to Martin Creed on being appointed National Gallery Artist in Resident. I for one think that the National Gallery missed out on an opportunity that they my never get the chance again to revisit.. We also spoke about his enjoyment at visiting the Leonardo exhibition of course at the National Gallery - his privilege status allowing him quick and free entrance to this very difficult to gain entrance to exhibition.
Along with Frank's partner Rachel we then drove to Frank's studio to view some of this latest work. Frank was putting the final touches on two large scale pieces and also drying them with a hairdryer propped on a chair, they were truly extraordinary pieces. But I particularly like a small collection of pieces that to me exhibited the jewel-like wonder of Illuminated manuscript in their execution and relatively small size compared to Frank's monumental works, which we looked at on this occasion, and I was pleased to be informed by Frank that he had indeed included real gold leaf in some of these jewel-like works. As a Renaissance art historian I am particularly partial to craft and the art of making things and these works spoke to me of this age of wonder.
An illuminating interlude and one of the joys of living in London: http://bit.ly/yzMlce
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