Semi- retirement/working independently is giving me increased time to indulge my love of the creative arts,you might have noticed! And this week I savour a feast of art, theatre and books , starting with the wonderful @East London Group of painters. Until June 25th you can see the stunning "Out of the City" exhibition at Southend's Beecroft Gallery , curated by Alan Waltham . And it is well worth it. For those who follow me on Twitter you will have seen many of the images in my timeline.
But nothing compares to the real pictures of the Steggles brothers, their teacher John Cooper , and the other wonderful artists in this group of fine painters . Thanks go to Alan, and Janeta his wife, who is the Steggles'neice , and David Buckman who researched the group and has just republished his book "From Bow to Biennale". As a result of their passion and dedication, the East London Group are enjoying a resurgence in interest, recognition and value for their work. And as an added bonus I have met all sorts of like minded appreciators of their art all through the medium of Twitter. You know who you are!
As well as my caring responsibilities , I mentor and advise on effective leadership, and remain committed to my public service values , determined to support colleagues in learning from best practice .
Twitter plays a big part in providing me , and indeed all of us, with a sharing and support platform. This week it marked its 10th anniversary and I for one applaud the fellowship of Twitter and the learning and friendship I have gained through this particular form of social media.
This sculpture ,London Pride, by Frank Dobson, is one of my favourites and it graces the remodelled riverside entrance to the Royal National Theatre. It is one of the many delights of coming to the Southbank.
In "Ma Raineys Black Bottom " currently playing at the Royal National Theatre , August Wilson is challenging our perceptions of race ,gender and sexuality using the real life mother of jazz, " Ma Rainey" . Through firey dialogue and dedicated exploration of a clutch of characters , challenging issues are uncomfortably explored and beautifully sung and played . As a white member of a largely white, middle aged ,middle class audience , I felt disrupted,shocked , rocked at the violence of the language and ultimately , the plot. The leading actors were also musicians and I was in awe of their performances , each and every one. We were not served up an easy or hopeful ending , and the cast must have been exhausted by the emotion and physicality of the evening. The programme provided a story of the playwright which was no less interesting , and reinforced the characteristics I would expect given the phenomenal writing and thinking in the play - here was a determined , intellectually capable,curious and underestimated man ; a brilliant writer. Try to see it if you can.
And then we come to the newly announced Makar ( Poet Laureate ) of Scotland, the fabulous Jackie Kay. She wrote this book "Trumpet " almost two decades ago, but I only got round to reading it this week. It's the story of a popular talented , dual heritage jazzman and loving husband , who is actually a woman . This revelation is beautifully explored from the perceptions of his wife, son and ultimately a journalist who sees herself writing an explosive book . The themes of gender, race and sexuality are so present and just like "Ma Rainey ", this story speaks meaningfully to us in 2016 . It does give hope, however. It is a story of love.
That's a reassuring message , especially on this day, 22/3/16 , which has seen more indiscriminate carnage as the result of terrorist attacks on Brussels . More than thirty are dead and many more are left with life changing injuries. Defiance ,hope and love are now finding expression across Europe.
No comments:
Post a Comment