Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the bustling London lifestyle and gain a little cultural experience! The art galleries and museums here in London are perfect for that. I have gone to the National Gallery and the Tate Modern Gallery. They were nothing short of beautiful. At the National Gallery, we even saw an original Van Gogh! Everyone was flocking to room number 43 to see “Sunflowers”. It dates all the way back to 1888! It was breathtaking to see the brushstrokes Van Gogh himself made right there in front of my eyes.
The National Gallery is at the head of Trafalgar Square. It has free entry (most museums and galleries here do) so that everyone has the opportunity enjoy the artwork. However, some exhibitions are available for an extra cost. Even the interior design of the National Gallery is gorgeous. The walls are all painted a different color for each room and the moldings on the wall and ceiling are lovely and intricate. The paintings, of course are the best part though. I had a favorite one called “The Olive Tree” by Georges Braque, however I could not take a picture of it because there are some that the National Gallery forbids one from taking a picture of. There are guards in every room, so the famous paintings are kept safe. Another part of the National Gallery that I found interesting is the featured artists’ exhibition. This is a room dedicated to a current artist/photographer whose work is meant to make a statement. The exhibition changes often, but when we were visiting a man by the name of George Shaw was featured. His exhibition entitled “My Back to Nature” is a collection of photographs and paintings that are meant to portray how litter and industrial waste are taking over our beautiful forests. He paints striking, silent images of nature and then places a piece of trash (a tarp, a cup, a newspaper, etc.) right in the center of the painting or photograph. The way he contrasts the objects very effectively shows how much this trash does not belong in our forests. Shaw also displays how nature is being worn down due to human interference. It is quite a powerful message that Shaw gives the observer.
The next art gallery/museum I visited was the Tate Modern. I journeyed here for a project for my art class, but my group took our time meandering through the galleries to take in all of the paintings and sculptures. I enjoyed this one the most of the two, it had more of a variety of artwork from all around the world. The paintings and exhibitions were more diverse in the sense that they were not just classical paintings on canvas. There were videos, sculptures, entire rooms dedicated to portraying a certain idea, and commentary on issues that the modern world faces. My favorite one would have to be “Spreadout Ron Kitaj” by Frank Bowling in 1936. This is the featured picture and I just adore how dynamic it is. Bowling uses all sorts of material to achieve this texture including: acrylic paint, beeswax, chalk, metallic pigment, and plastic toys among others! The result is a stunning portrayal of paint as organic and pliable. Many of the pieces and exhibitions in the Tate, are meant to make a statement on a certain matter. For that reason, I highly recommend those that are interested in art history and interpretation visit the Tate Modern. Even those that seek to gain a little more insight on how others see the world should stopover at this gallery. For example, Jane Alexander’s exhibition “African Adventure”, shown below, is meant to address European engagement with Africa. There are hybrid human-animal figures that are confrontational yet vulnerable. I have included the summary, for further information. There are all types of exhibitions similar to “African Adventure” in the Tate Modern and it was a pleasure to walk around and learn so much about the past while also reading commentary on a historical topic.
I would suggest everyone go and see these two iconic galleries. However, the National Gallery will be more appreciated by those that enjoy classical artwork and paintings. The Tate Modern has more of a, well, modern atmosphere. People who enjoy all kinds of mediums to convey a message will enjoy this one the most. Both are worth seeing though, in my opinion. Definitely something to add to your London Bucket List! Some classes, like my Art and Visual culture class for example, implement visiting the different galleries and museums. I would suggest taking an art class, photography or interpretation class while in London. It’s a wonderful way to learn about the different art movements and is a perfect place to apply what you learn in class.
Meet Me On London Bridge? 