You’ll find quite a lot of talk of art and artists in my books. I find them inspirational. In Threads, Nonie’s mother is an agent for fine art photographers and the only place she can be persuaded to switch off her BlackBerry is an art gallery. In my new book, Ted gradually discovers herself as an artist and photographer, and those were some of my favourite scenes to write.
My best times as a student were spent in art galleries in France, Italy and America. (You may say that doesn’t say much for my times as a student – why wasn’t I rioting, or in nightclubs, or falling madly in love? All I can say is that I did, eventually, and my boyfriend loved galleries as much as I did, if not more.)
Well, it never wore off. Now, some of my best times are when I take the family to the Tate Modern (yes, it’s in the books) to see the amazing permanent collection, or one of the exhibitions. And we went on Sunday to see the Gerhard Richter one that’s on at the moment, and reader, if you love art, you have to go. All of us loved it, from the 5 year-old to the 50 year-old. If you don’t live in London, don’t worry, he’s been painting for five decades and his art is all over the place. Find what’s nearest to you and go and marvel at it. Some people say he’s the greatest living artist right now, and I think they might be right. (All of these pictures are his, in case you were wondering. That guy is versatile.)
Richter is an artist who paints about painting. He’s interested in what we see, and how we see it, and what it means, and how to transfer it onto a canvas. Which could make him incredibly up himself and boring (and yes, there was an enormous canvas covered entirely in thick grey paint, and another one of a loo roll), but the thing is, he somehow manages to turn most of these concepts (not the loo roll, though) into something beautiful, and meaningful, and really quite emotional.
You can look at his picture of his wife coming downstairs, or two couples laughing, or one of his large abstract canvases and suddenly feel an inexplicable joy, or, anxiety, or obscure sadness. He can be very exact when he wants to, but he also manages to paint in a way that is often blurry, but which enables your brain to imagine exactly what’s going on. And as he’s got older, he’s got braver. He has often used a squeegee to rub the colours of his more abstract paintings together.
One of these, in blue and grey, seems incredibly calm and peaceful. It’s called September. But if you half close your eyes, you can see that the blue is sky and what seem to be two grey blurs are actually buildings. And above them are two clouds of brown smoke. And it’s the famous image of the Twin Towers before they collapsed on 9/11. Done by squeegee, by a genius. Beautiful and tragic and you could stand in front of it for hours, contemplating art and history. Honestly, wow.
I guess that’s what we try to do, in our non-genius-but-trying-anyway way, when we’re writing. There is the story we have in our head, but that’s not what we tell. We carefully arrange all sorts of details, so that as you read you’re telling yourself the story. And it’s not easy. Which is why I’m on version about twenty of the opening pages of my new book, because I want to draw you in to the story before you work out exactly what it is, the way Richter does with his paintings.
Except, possibly, for the completely grey one. Possibly having an off-day, there, Gerhard. Mind you, with that much colour and sensitivity and talent and genius going on everywhere, you’re allowed.
And besides, I love this one:
Honestly, wow.
I loved all these photos – it’s astonishing how he can produce something amazing out of nothing at first glance. Art galleries are so peaceful! I recommend the V and A for some great art exhibitions!
The two towers picture is so poignant. I’ve nearly really ‘understood’ modern art but I do enjoy looking at paintings.They can be a great inspiration for a story. I often use pictures for inspiration in my writing workshops.
I guess ‘nearly’ really was a typo, Karen, but it’s such a great way to describe my own ‘understanding’ of modern art. Off to see the Richter exhibition next week, Sophia.
What wonderful pictures. I now know where I’m going when I’m next in London – to the Tate Modern to see this exhibition of Richter’s art. I love the idea that he is an artist who ‘paints about painting’ – and the way you compare painting with what happens when we write. Inspiring post!
what an amazing post! i love art galleries, too! the twin towers one was my favorite. it really, spoke, you know? wow, that sounds strange. but i find art very inspirational. I’m doing a competition for a short-story inspired by one of the sculptures at the Auckland botanical gardens current gallery, and i loved every piece so much that i couldn’t decide! so i chose between three- a man that balanced on a time-looking wheel, a beautiful sterling silver bird, and a tall bear wrapped in a winter coat made entirely of soldered or welded iron pieces. all very inspirational.
The picture of the twin towers is touching, he really is a fabulous artist! <3 xx
I’m so glad you love them too, particularly the September one. And that I’m not alone in finding art galleries such a great source of ideas! Kitty-Kat, good luck with your short story competition. What a great theme. I’m running one myself at the moment, called ‘The Girl in the Picture’. I wonder if anyone will use real pictures for inspiration. I hope someone does … xxx
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I adore art although I can’t draw for toffee!! I love going to art galleries and just looking at paintings, daydreaming myself into them, making friends with people in the paintings!! (I sound like I do when describing how I feel when I read books!!) The paintings you showed were fabulous!! Brill choice!!
Amazing post!!
xx
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I love the idea of making friends with people in the paintings! And I agree – it’s just like reading books.
I’m not usually an arty person, but these paintings are quite good! I didn’t like the Twin Towers one at first, but then I looked at it properly and now I love it! I’ve never actually been to an art gallery *hangs head in shame* You’ve convinced me though, I will have to soon!
That makes my day, Cliona! (And when you’ve seen the art, their shops are generally wonderful, too!)
Great post – gorgeous paintings x
Thank you, Kate!
I love Art- I think I’m going to take it for a GCSE subject, and I absolutely LOVE those paintings, especially the Twin Towers one and the sky and the sea one.
I definitely would go to an Art Gallery to see them!
I like the blurred people as well, but what’s the first one? It looks like two girls looking into a stream or something, is that what it is?
Has anyone gone to Hampton Court Palace? I went there in Year 7, it was a beautiful place, with really lovely Art Work!
Great Post!!!!!
Hi Hikma. Do go to the gallery if you can – you’ll love it. I’m not quite sure what that first picture is either. It’s 2 girls doing something, but the blurriness and uncertainty is partly what I like about it. And yes, I agree about Hampton Court Palace. It’s wonderful too. xxx
His paintings are amazing, he’s inspirational!:) even though I love art and would never give it up, I still want my career for when I’m older to be an author. My dream would be to publish before I’m 16, but I know it’d be loads and loads of hard work!<3
Wow, those paintings are amazing. I think my favourite is the last one, I love bright colours. I’m doing art for one of my GCSEs. But I think I have quite a way to go untill I can do anything like those paintings.
I love those paintings Sophia – how long are they at the Tate?
My brother works in the Education section of the National Gallery so I can usually get free tickets to exhibitions there
useful sort of brother! I love art and wish I could paint, but don’t have the patience…