Articles

Eighteenth century artist Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) is renowned for his portraits of the English Aristocracy dressed in fine silks, ribbons and ruffles. His modern-day equivalent would be someone like photographer Mario Testino. Gainsborough is often reviled by art critics for pandering to the elite. But throughout his career he also painted portraits of his relatives and these engaging…

Wood Green’s regeneration continues in surprising bursts. While the High Road remains unchanged with its mix of charity shops and pound stores, there are signs of innovative redevelopment near Wood Green Station, namely Blue House Yard (N22 7TB). I visited when it was open for viewing on Sunday 23 September as part of Open House 2018. 

The site was a disused car park behind the Council Offices until Haringey…

American Animals is a heist film with a difference. Set in Kentucky, the story involves the theft of rare books from Transylvania University Library by four college students. The bold introduction states that the film isn’t based on a true story. It is a true story.

In 2004, college buddies Spencer Reinhard, Warren Lipka, Chas Allen and Eric Borsuk attempt to steal extremely rare books:…

The Michael Jackson: On the Wall exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is the first exhibition of its kind to focus on the erstwhile ‘King of Pop’ and commemorates his sixtieth birthday on 29 August 2018 - if he’d been alive. The introduction states: ‘This exhibition is not about Jackson’s biography or memorabilia related to the singer. It explores the impact of Jackson on contemporary art.’

The…

Amongst the paintings, black and white photographs and postcards at the ‘Votes for Women’ exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is an unusual picture. It’s a photograph of a damaged portrait by Milais of Thomas Carlyle, one of the Gallery’s founders. The portrait was vandalised by Suffragette Anne Hunt who gashed it three times.

Now the National Portrait Gallery is paying homage to…