Skip to main content

London visit, ING Discerning Eye 2014

The intention was to write this post whilst everything was fresh in my mind and here it is, almost 2 weeks after the annual ING Discerning Eye Exhibition 2014 opened at the Mall Galleries in London....

Exiting Charing Cross station, on the morning of Thursday 13 November, I was thrilled to be amidst the imposing surroundings of Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, walking towards The Mall and awesome Admiralty Arch - see the pics below and also photo credits and links.  Didn't take a camera and don't yet have a smart phone - I know, life in the slow lane, huh.

Admiralty Arch


I reached the Mall Galleries before my friend (fellow artist Claire Coskie) arrived, so decided to have a little wander

The Mall Galleries


and was rewarded with a vista of yet more beautiful architecture and dramatic skyscape at Horse Guards Parade, time to stroll in the sun and also to encounter the low key pomp and ceremony - with shouting - of  a sentry change.  Bonus!

Horse Guards Parade


The view from St James Park

Photo:  www.londonphotoroutes.com

The ING Discerning Eye Exhibition is a show of small works (max 20" x 20") independently selected by six prominent art world figures:  two artists, two collectors and two critics.  Work is selected from open submission and also from artists invited by the individual selectors.  Each section is hung separately and has its own distinctive identity.  The impression emerges of six small exhibitions within the whole.  The selectors are solely responsible for their own selection and are required to draw at least 25% of their section from the open submission.


And what a location.
The Mall Galleries occupy a bright, contemporary space, peopled by friendly, welcoming staff - just the venue to display a show as diverse and unique as the Discerning Eye.

I'm a big fan of mixed exhibitions and never cease to be amazed by the breadth of techniques portrayed, subject choices, media and supports used by artists and the resultant outcomes.  Interestingly, although the content was of course very varied, each selector's display bore his or her 'mark' in some way.  This show did not disappoint, standards were high and I coveted a good many of the artworks.  Click the link above to view an a-z of artists works, prize winners and more.


'Identity Series - Eye'
by Okafor Kelvin

Photo and article:  www.cityam.com

Click the links below to read what the selectors had to say.

Emma Stibbon RA

Nicola Green

Chris Ingram

Dr Giles Brown

Simon Martin

Helen Sumpter

To see opening night pics (courtesy of invited artist Sadie Tierney's blog) click here.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  Click links for more info.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

December 2023 small paintings on board

Small oil paintings currently exhibited at Art Space Gallery, St Ives   And, because it's December there are some Christmas cards for sale too.   'Light Filled Cove' oil on primed board, 14 x 14 cm. SOLD 'Rock Pool and Beyond' oil on primed board, 14 x 14 cm. SOLD 'Low Water Sea Stream' oil on primed board, 14 x 14 cm. SOLD Click images to enlarge. Copyright Lesley Ninnes St Ives, Cornwall.

Collage two paintings 30 x60 cm

In this detail, the anaglypta, pink florist's cellophane and paint on canvas can be seen. Reddish/brown transparent glazing in the centre section and swirls of aqua opaque impasto on the right. This includes a piece of anaglypta from Carol Parsons painting class back in March, 2009? This particular piece of wallpaper has already been used to 'print paint to canvas'. Victoria Hilliard produces lovely ceramic pictures inspired by nature, including the portrayal of moths and butterflies. Would I have produced this collage if Tori were not a member of Art Space Gallery? Maybe not. Everything is 'grist to the visual mill' as far as artists are concerned. 'Floral - Pedestal' this painting just evolved. Fun, fun and more fun! 'Floral - Feel Amazing'. I love this artwork! My daughter's boyfriend bought her flowers, including old fashioned roses, which provided the inspiration for the flowers at the top of the painting and the cellophane wrapper is...

Tiny oil paintings on board at Art Space Gallery, St Ives

Here are some examples of unframed tiny paintings of mine at Art Space Gallery, St Ives . They're presented in creamy coloured, deep core conservation mounts for those customers who have specific preferences where framing is concerned.  I love creating them, they're spontaneous and fun. 'Surf Breaking Through' SOLD 'Back of the Island, St Ives' SOLD 'Wave About to Break' SOLD 'Flood Tide, Porthmeor' SOLD 'Bright Surf and Sea' SOLD 'Surf Breaking' SOLD Click images to enlarge. Copyright Lesley Ninnes St Ives, Cornwall.