Maria Teresa de Vallabriga y Rojas

On January 7, 2016February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Life, LondonLeave a comment

P1060943 It’s hard to put Rembrant’s portraits in the shade, but I’m afraid Goya more than gives him a run for his money. In fact I’d go so far as to say he totally eclipses him.

In the usual packed blockbuster at the National Portrait Gallery, I stood behind a group of, shall we say, mature friends, discussing the particular position of Maria Teresa de Vallabriga y Rojas on her horse. The more forthright (Lady F) of them commented “But if she’s really riding side saddle – which she would be – her legs are twisted in far too exaggerated a fashion!”

I looked at the portrait and tried to figure it out. Meanwhile the debate raged on. I couldn’t help it, I had to interject. I explained to the trio that I felt Goya had done it deliberately. That his main focus was on getting her face in profile, therefore he had to have her twist her legs around far more prominently so that we got the full picture so to speak. “After all, he’s an artist” I said, “He’s entitled to be economical with the truth.”

Her friends moved on as Lady F answered me. “Let me tell you, I ride side saddle and it doesn’t look remotely like that.”

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All that glitters

On October 23, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Entertainment, Life, London, Parties, People you may have heard of2 Comments

Denise and I hugged goodbye. “Keep in touch” she said. “I want an update on Tolga.”

Indeed there could not have been a more appropriate private view in the world to attend other than Lincoln Townley’s ‘W1’ last night. I wasn’t even sure why I was there – other than a very lovely invite from my celeb cuz who I’m occasionally honoured to accompany on such jaunts. But, at the end of the evening I knew exactly why.

I googled the artist en route to the Royal Academy, only to discover he is way up there with the portrait painters of today. Hollywood hasn’t escaped him – and recognition is worldly and unanimous. I was particularly struck by his painting of Al Pacino.

Having found the gallery within this noble institution – ‘To the right of the courtyard at the far end’ Bex’s message said – I wandered in to friends and family of the artist and various other showbiz acquaintances.

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Fierce

On April 25, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Fashion, LondonLeave a comment

Fan and all as I am of Ms Moss’s style, the much reported hologram of her in the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition seemed in fact a bit of a let down once you got to it.

It paled, literally and figuratively speaking into insignificance once one had done the rounds of the rest of his fierce and fantastical work.

“I met him a couple of times” I said to my friend B. “The first was a Q & A he did either here or at the ICA in the early Nineties. I remember it so clearly because I was wearing a pale green coloured moleskin suit I’d designed made-to-measure, and it was its first outing. It was at the time when he was frequently lambasted in the press for being ‘Misogynistic.’”

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Blockbuster

On January 15, 2015February 25, 2016 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Entertainment, LondonLeave a comment

It’s like in December everyone you know says ‘We must catch up before Christmas!’ which is swiftly followed by festive cards that read ‘Let’s meet in the New Year!’

The situation today was in a similar vein: Given that the current blockbuster exhibition was ending imminently we thought we’d better get down there to view it – along with the rest of the country.

“We’re definitely amongst those people of a certain age” my cousin noted looking around her at the grey/white haired heads populating the Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery. “Yes – quite! That’s the joy of not working Rach!” I replied instantly.

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Christmas craic: Mince pies in Soho

On December 18, 2014July 26, 2015 By Conversations with StrangersIn Art, Entertainment, Life, London, People you may have heard of, The Cuban BrothersLeave a comment

Christmas takes you where Christmas takes you. On a warm Wednesday afternoon with shin splints – to Soho as it happens.

Starting off with a gingerbread latte in S’bucks, Vigo Street, I had my work cut out for me: Amongst other things I’d committed to popping in to see Los Hermanos Cubanos at Soho Radio with a few mince pies.

Four bearded men welcomed me and offered me another coffee on the house. Everyone was in red.

I ventured into the studio and offered my wares. Miguel was on the mic “Thanks for the mince pies S, but I cannot do them, the raisins they play havoc with my stomach. I think it’s a raisin inside – no?”

Kenny had two, Archie – one, Brent declined. I felt they were going down well.

“Get in touch with Bibi!” Brent called after me as I exited to Chopper’s hilarious monologue.

The record store I’ve intended to go to for aaaaaaaages beckoned. Sounds of the Universe is pure disco. I chatted to Neil. “I need something along the lines of Vince Montana – you know ‘Love is the Message’ or Raw Silk – that kind of thing.” He pulled a CD out for me as I proffered a pie. He took a bite: “Mmmm, nice.”

A pit stop at a Swedish gentleman’s outfitters provided the venue to change shoes, and Sam – the conversation. Trying to get into the music industry as a producer was tough at 25 he told me; ‘This city is hard, but I keep chipping away to manifest my own destiny’. “Tell me about it” I said and took out the goodies. His eyes lit up on spotting the Christmas vittles as I held out the tupperware.

Riflemaker bid my time before drinks. I chatted to Darren and Ian about the art on the walls. Welsh Ian talked ferries to Ireland, I talked about the craic. Darren told me he was an artist and interested in the process – what got someone to put the marks on the page that they did? Speaking of that I must crack on I said, snapping a pic of one of Josephine King’s gripping paintings.

The Campari bar at Polpo was my final stop. Ivan the bartender told me about the drink that seems so right in Italy. He mixed us a cocktail, we raised our glasses – cherry red with a splash of Prosecco, all Christmassy. “Hold on a second” I said, “I’ve got something here might go quite nicely with this.”

Favourite disco instrumental ever – sublime: http://bit.ly/13C1EhG