Jane Pritchard from the V&A will talk to us tonight about ‘Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes’

Co-curator of the exhibition by the same name, Jane is also curator of Dance for the V&A.  Previously an archivist for Ballet Rambert and English National Ballet, she created the contemporary Dance archive.  She is chair of the Society for Dance Research.

There is an excursion to the Diaghilev exhibition at the V & A on Saturday 27 November.  See entry below.

(This item updated on 22 July 2010)

Tonight’s lecture will be given by Al Johnson from Tate Modern.   Al is a sculptor and printmaker with work held on both private and public collections.  She also leads workshops and lectures in major museums includng the National Gallery, V&A and British Museum.

There will be an excursion to Tate Modern in two days’ time to the  Gauguin exhibition (see next entry)

Late news!  Unfortunately tonight’s lecturer, Al Johnson,  has had an accident and damaged her pelvis. She is finding a replacement speaker for us. (To be updated when further news is known).

(This item updated 12 October 2010)

Gerald Cains, a local artist, likes painting the decayed fringe of Bristol.  He describes his work as social realism and shows the city’s seedy back streets, the weeds and the drabness.  He often uses a dynamic perspective or unusual viewpoint for these urban scenes.

This particular picture is a very good example of his work (click on picture to enlarge).  The homes at Barton hill were demolished and flats were erected on the site.  Although it seemed a good idea at the time, we now regret the way that Victorian houses were knocked down, communities fractured and people isolated in high rise flats. which soon became as run-down as their predecessors.

(This item added 2 June 2010)

This second painting by Gerald Cains is a smaller work, and very poignant (click on picture to enlarge).  Again it is Barton Hill before the flats were built.  The roundabout in the park is broken and useless, with disappointed people walking away from it.  Although we know it is Bristol, you don’t need to know that, and it has a universal appeal.

The two Cains pictures were purchased together for £2000, which The Friends paid in full.

The above photo shows the artist alongside his painting, now on display in the Modern British Gallery. The photo was taken at the Special Viewing for members on 1 December 2010

(This item added on 23 June 2010)

This is the second of the works to be purchased from the ‘Crimes of Passion’ Exhibition.  Brisuanadon = Bris(tol)(Ig)uanadon

(click on picture to enlarge)

It is a particularly novel and ‘fun’ sculpture wittily conceived and executed — it just has to be seen full-scale.  And it can be, in the Bristol Places Gallery on the ground floor of M Shed.

The work is by Andy Council in collaboration with the designer-maker Matt Pugh

The total cost of the work was shared £1,500 from Museum Funds, £500 from The Friends.

(This report added on 2 June 2010)

Just over a year ago, in April 2009 members of The Friends committee attended the ‘Crimes of Passion’ Exhibition at the RWA.  Many of the ‘Street Art’ works on show were very impressive, and The Friends ended up paying towards three of them for the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery

(click on picture to enlarge)

One that caught the eye was called ‘Concrete Form’ but it had already been sold.  Not to be fazed by that, the artist, street-name Ziml, was commissioned by The Friends to paint another version,’Concrete Form II’ the one now shown.

It is quite a large work but is not yet on display.  In due course it will be seen in the Modern British Art Gallery.

The cost of the work, £600, was paid by The Friends in full.

(This report first added in June 2010)

When we can, we try and arrange a local event for members who prefer not to travel away too far.  Today, we are visiting the UWE School of Creative Arts Degree Show (Bower Ashton)

We meet at 2.30pm in the reception area in Block F (the new building on the right as you enter the Bower Ashton Campus from Kennel Lodge Road). Parking is limited, and you will need to collect a free visitors permit from reception, so car sharing and early arrival are advised.

The show will include work from courses on Animation, Design (Fashion, Textile, Graphic),  Illustration, Photography, Media Practice, Printmaking, Drawing and Applied Arts.

On the same afternoon there will be an opportunity to visit the work in Fine Art too, which is shown at Spike Island on Cumberland Road.

Committee member John Hibberd is your host for the afternoon.

No booking needed for this event members should just come along!

(Last updated 17 April 2010)

Today we travel to Kenilworth Castle Warwickshire, and The Herbert, Coventry.

There was a high demand for this excursion, and currently the coach is full, with a waiting list

(Last updated 26 April 2010)

After such an enjoyable occasion last year  the 2010 summer dinneris being held at Raymond Blanc’s restaurant in Cabot Circus again.

Further details and another booking form were included with the May Bulletin.

Note:  There are still places available for this event.  Please send your booking form to Carol Lear asp.

(Last updated 9 March 2010)