Yinka Shonibare Save The Arts New Work

YINKA SHONIBARE CREATES A WORK FOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST CUTS A striking new work by Fourth Plinth artist Yinka Shonibare was unveiled today as part of the campaign supported by over 100 leading British artists against the government’s proposed funding cuts of the arts.The artist’s work shows a slash across a piece of brightly coloured African fabric for which the artist has become well known with the caption: “Stop Cutting”.Yinka Shonibare MBE has become well known for work that explores issues of race and class through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and, most recently, film. He was a Turner prize nominee in 2004 and he was awarded an MBE, a title that he has added to his professional name. His commission for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Ship in a Bottle, was installed in May this year and in June. Read More....

Gauguin ‘Maker Of Myth’ Tate Modern Review

Gauguin Tate Modern   Photo © ArtLyst 2010

Tate Modern presents the largest exhibition of the work of French Post Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin mounted in Britain for over 50 years. ArtLyst was at the press launch of this blockbuster and found it vibrant, alive and still some of the best quality painting of the last two centuries. It looks as fresh as the day it was painted. With unusual compositional cropping and a palate to die for. Gauguin painted a staggering array of Landscapes, still life and figurative works. He is perhaps best known for his exotic and sometimes erotic Tahitian series depicting the female form. The artist famously spent much of the latter part of his life in Polynesia, the source of his famous and familiar Tahitian images. Gauguin was a storyteller; he reveals his narrative urge to create pictorial stories. Organizers say they have come up with a "fresh and compelling" look at this master of modern art, concentrating on his approach to storytelling and how myths and fables were central to his work. Read More.....

Take A Virtual Tour of The Gauguin Exhibition

Dennis Hopper Collection Goes Under The Hammer

Dennis Hopper Portrait by Andy Warhol

Christie’s New York is presenting The Dennis Hopper Collection. Unknown to his many fans, Hopper was an artist, a filmmaker, an actor, and a passionate art collector of contemporary art. He amassed more than 250 works throughout his lifetime. His well rounded and often cutting edge choices included prime examples of the world’s foremost Post-War & Contemporary artists, including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, John Baldessari, and Julian Schnabel. Thirty-five works from the Collection will be offered at the Christie’s New York Post-War & Contemporary Evening and Day Sales in New York on November 10 and 11, 2010.

Read More....

New V&A Museum For Dundee Designs Unveiled

A £40 million pound outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum set on the Dundee waterfront gathered serious momentum, as the shortlisted designs were unveiled at an exhibition. The museum is scheduled to open by early 2015 and will focus on design and also host touring exhibitions.

The six shortlisted firms were chosen from more than 120 entries by firms around the globe.

1) Sutherland Hussey Architects, of Edinburgh

2) Viennese firm Delugan Meissl Associated Architects

3) Oslo-based Snohetta.

4) American-based firms REX

5) Steven Holl Architects

6) Kengo Kuma & Associates, which was founded in Japan.

Read More....

Anish Kapoor's Sky Mirror Hyde Park London

Anish Kapoor's Sky Mirror arrives in London this week. Installed in Hyde Park the convex reflective sculpture, will cast light and shadow on a large area of the park. The work will subtly distort and rearrange the landscape and depending on the angle viewed, bring the sky to earth. The Mirror will be complemented by three sister sculptures transforming the greens and reflecting pools into a different and sublime work. The work has been sponsored by the Serpentine Gallery. Read more here...

Free Museum Entry Threatened By Tory Cuts

Entry to National Museums has been free since Labour abolished charging in 2001. The upshot was that attendance in 2002 soared by 2.7 million or 62%, as more and more people felt able to casually pop in, for a short visit without paying an entrance fee. The Tories have traditionally held a cavalier attitude towards free entry to Museums, believing they should pay their own way, without the support of public funds. Leaked documents revealed on Friday  Read More.....

Lehman Art Auction to raise £1m For Creditors

There are no masterpieces in this sale, which is why it has been allocated to Christies South Kensington, instead of their Kings Street headquarters. This is strictly a sale of mementos and bin ends with some second rate art thrown in for good measure.The better works have already been sold in the main New York and London rooms or privately placed.

The banking crisis which began at Lehman is far from over and lot 1001 a metal plaque celebrating the opening of their European headquarters in 2004 by Gordon Brown, is a grim reminder of the good times. Both Lehmans and Brown are long gone and rapidly becoming a distant and acrid memory. Read More...

Government Arts Cuts Leaked

The Hatchet is Uncovered
Leaked Cabinet Office documents revealed today show the National Museums and Galleries service, a publicly funded body, which offers the public free admission to some of the country’s best-known cultural venues, is under threat and likely to be scrapped by the Government. There are 16 galleries in this category — including the Tate Galleries the National Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, the V & A the and the British Museum. Read More....

Mr Brainwash Special Showcase Competetion

Mr Brainwash Michael/Marilyn

New Mr Brainwash Special NYC  Showcase Competition 

ArtLyst  just received a special announcement from our dear friend Mr Brainwash.You know the French film-maker clown turned Graffiti Artist featured in the Banksy film, 'Exit Through The Gift Shop'.

Hi Everyone, 

Mr Brainwash would like to introduce you to "Your Art Here" an all styles visual contest with a New York City theme for which I am part of the jury - giving aspiring artists the opportunity to gain valuable exposure. 
Check this out to participate......

Isabella Blow Portrait Unveiled

New Isabella Blow Photograph At National Portrait Gallery

A photographic portrait created by artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster showing the head of fashion icon Isabella Blow goes on show at the National Portrait Gallery from tomorrow. The image has been sculpted from, a rat, a rattlesnake, two dozen birds and a stylish heel from a discarded Manolo Blahnik shoe. It has been lit to form a silhouette of Blow, wearing an outrageous hat designed by her milliner soul mate, Phillip Treacy. Read Full Story.....

Mark Wallinger New Arts Cuts Protest Painting

As promised, Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger produced a new work to highlight  proposed government cuts in the arts. The work entitled ‘Reckless’ takes Turner's 1839 painting ‘The Fighting Temeraire’ shows "25% cut" out of the canvas in a Banksy like composite. A new work from artists supporting the cause will be released every week until cuts are announced on 20 October. Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin are among the Save the Arts backers. Wallinger, who won the Turner Prize in 2007, is famous for his 1999 fourth plinth commission Ecco Homo and the giant white horse set to go up in Kent.   Read More.....

New Portrait of Queen Unveiled

Schlock Horror! Isobel Peachey, 31 may be the youngest Artist to paint an official portrait of the monarch but going by the middle age style in which she approaches the subject, she adds nothing original to Royal portraiture as a form. Trained at Wimbledon School of Art, Peachey is better known for her almost minimalistic photographic portraits of contemporary subjects. Her other works seem  monochromatic by comparison. Read More.....

Alexander McQueen Memorial Held

A memorial service has been held to honour the life and work of fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Dozens of tartan-clad bagpipers lined the steps of St. Paul’s cathedral in London as guests including Stella McCartney, Pam Hogg, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sarah Jessica Parker left the ceremony.

Following his suicide seven months ago, the world of fashion has mourned the loss of one of the most innovative couturiers of the late 20^th century. Editor-in-chief of US Vogue, Anna Wintour, gave a eulogy at the memorial service, telling those gathered that McQueen transported his followers "into a world of sensation where you could be shocked, repulsed or thrilled". McQueen was "special" because he designed the "most exquisite couture dresses and at the same time had a real impact on how the world dressed", she added. Read The Full Story...

Liverpool Biennial 2010 'What's On' Complete Listings Guide

Liverpool Biennial - Exhibition

Here is the complete Events List for the Liverpool Biennial 2010. This years festival looks to be the UK’s largest as well as one of the most exciting contemporary visual arts events in the world.  With 960,000 visits in 2008, it is one of the best attended international Biennials. On view is a wide variety of established and emerging Artists working in most mediums, to provide a stimulating atmosphere for all .

18 September - 28 November 2010  
Events Listings Click Here:

Keith Coventry Wins John Moores Painting Prize

Photo: Keith Coventry, Spectrum Jesus 2009 (oil on canvas, wood and glass 68.6 x 58 cm)

This year’s prestigious John Moores Painting Prize has been won by 51 year old, Burnley-born Keith Coventry who takes home the £25,000 first prize for his painting, ‘Spectrum Jesus’. He was chosen from 3,000 entries and awarded the prize at the Liverpool Biennial. Coventry is best remembered for taking part in the controversial late 1990s Sensations exhibition alongside Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.

Read Full Story Here:

London Design Festival 2010 Complete Events Guide

London Design Festival

18-26 September All Over London

In its eighth year, The London Design Festival is a nine-day celebration of design in the world’s creative capital, London! The Festival is a platform for the widest spectrum of design disciplines, brought together as a unique and accessible programme. It is an internationally renowned annual festival opening this Saturday, 18th running through the 26 September. Last year was a big one: over 200 commissioned installations and exhibitions, more than 150 launches, private views and parties…Confirming our position as a creative capital to be envied Mayor of London, Boris Johnson stated: “The London Design Festival offers an outstanding showcase of some of most exciting design anywhere in the world. Amidst international competition and as we move out of the downturn, it is imperative we continue to support design and celebrate its importance to our city.”

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in design, and the London Design Festival is hosting several new digital design studios. Trafalgar Square will be transformed by Outrace (above), an interactive installation by the award-winning duo Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram. The pair has created software that will allow visitors to send SMS text messages to the mechanical tentacles of six industrial robotic arms borrowed from the production line of the car-maker (and installation sponsor) Audi. The synchronised robots will then write the messages in light traces that will be recorded using specialist high-definition video equipment and published online. Until September 26.

 Read More/Visitors Information

Westminster Public Art Advisory Panel to be abolished

The Public Art Advisory Panel is to be abolished after 14 years of successful work. Dedicated to choosing Art for public spaces, the expert opinions have been decisive in the commissioning of sculpture including the Nelson Mandela statue and the memorial to the victims of the July 7 bombings. Art experts advise whether public sculptures should be commissioned and it is apparent that no new publicly funded works will be on the cards during the stringent government cuts, presently rife in Westminster council. The Panellists feel the decision will badly damage the quality of art in the borough and though councillors sometimes ignored their recommendations, the experts made an important contribution to the advancement of culture in the borough. Maurice Blik, a sculptor who sits on the panel, said he feared "banal, safe, dreary and unambitious work" would be given the go-ahead once the experts are dismissed, after their final meeting this month. The panel includes about a dozen practising professionals from the worlds of art and architecture including Terry New, the head of sculpture from the Royal Academy Schools, Philip Davies, planning and development director from English Heritage and architect Sir Richard MacCormac.Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster, said the council had "excellent" officers to advise them. It is difficult to take on board the timing in view of the 2012 Olympics and the future of new Art in central London.  Read More...

Turner Prize 2011 To Leave London For Gateshead

 Tate has announced that the prestigious Turner Prize 2011 will be mounted at the BALTIC in Newcastle. This is only the second time that the prize has been presented outside of London. In 2007 it was hosted by Tate Liverpool, ahead of the city's tenure as European capital of culture.This is first time that it departs from the Tate's infrastructure and will now annually alternate between Tate Britain and a Tate gallery in another UK city. The jury for the 2011 prize has also been revealed   Read More.....

UK film Future In Government Talks Latest

The Future of public funding for the UK film industry will be discussed by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey and key figures in the film business later this week. Mr Vaizey said he wants a "robust" strategy to keep UK filmmaking thriving. "There is no question that public support for film is continuing.” He suggested that lottery funding will increase from next year and the film tax credit will remain in place. Read More.....

Isabella Blow The Last 20th Century Fashion Icon

Isabella Blow (1958-2007): The last 20th century fashion icon was sadly missed at the launch of a new book by her PA Martina Rink, celebrating her life and hats. ArtLyst covered the party, Haunch of Venison Gallery London 13/09/2010.  The event was attended by many friends including,Boy George, Rupert Everett and Vidal Sassoon.Many Thanks to her cousin Shelagh Delves-Broughton for inviting me to the event.

Watch video here:

George Michael Released Latest Wham Graffiti

Ok this is completely silly and it's not really art.I was walking by where George Michael crashed his car in Hampstead today and snapped this on my iphone.It is one of the better pieces of Graffiti I've seen in a long time.Note someone has scrawled 'Wham' on the point of impact.
The crash happened At 3.35 am on July 4 George, 47, lost control of his Range Rover and smashed it into a Snappy Snaps photo shop near his home.The crash buckled a door frame and shattered windows of the photo shop in the up-market high street. Read More...

Photo:© ArtLyst 2010

UK Film Council CEO John Woodward Resigns

It has been announced via a press release that John Woodward is standing down as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council. Commenting on his decision, Woodward said: "For the next few weeks the UK Film Council is in a dialogue with the Government about the future support structures for UK film. By choosing to make my position clear now, I can be objective and unconflicted throughout that process. It should then, rightly, be for others to take the new system forward and write the next chapter for UK film. He will leave the organisation in early November 2010 and will announce his future plans in due course. Read More.......

UBS Ends Tate Modern Sponsorship

Tate Modern announced at their annual press conference, that they had lost the backing of UBS the largest Swiss Bank. The extension building program is nearly at a halfway point in raising funds. UBS posted a first-quarter loss in April 2008 of 12 billion Swiss francs (then $11.9 billion). The bank has since turned around: In July 2010, it reported its third consecutive quarterly profit of 2.01 billion Swiss francs. Read More......

British Museum £25m Sainsbury donation

Lord Sainsbury has given the British Museum a £25m donation to create an improved conservation department and expand the exhibition spaces in the gallery. It is understood to be the largest single private donation in the last 20 years. The Conservative peer was also responsible for the controversial Sainsbury wing at the National Gallery designed by Robert Venturi and opening in the early 1990’s. The original Richard Rogers design was rejected after the Prince of Wales compared it to a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend. A spokeswoman for the museum described the donation as "incredibly generous". She said,   Read More....

Latest Photography Competitions UK & International Autumn 2010

Here is ArtLyst's selection of the TOP 20 most interesting Photographic Competitions for the Autumn, UK and beyond. The submissions must be in by the stated deadlines and some are ending or about to close in September.They include the The Terry O'Neill Award 2010 and the prestigious, Hasselblad Masters Award 2010 for full details Read more…..

David Shrigley New Video Highlights Cuts to the Arts Sign Petition

David Shrigley's New Video 'An important message about the arts' 

Campaign Highlighting Funding Cuts 

Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley is leading a campaign to protest against cuts to the Arts by the UK Government. A proposed 25% has been earmarked, shaving arts funding down to the bone. The campaign launch yesterday at London’s Royal Festival Hall has the backing of more than 100 high-profile visual artists, including the 2009 Turner Prize winner David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Anthony Caro, Howard Hodgkin, Anish Kapoor, Richard Hamilton, Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin. 

Sign the petition and watch the video make a difference.  Read More....

Takashi Murakami vs Versailles New Exhibition

The splendour of France's royal palace Versailles and the manga-inspired work of Takashi Murakami join forces in a new exhibition where modern meets stately chateau. The exhibition has evoked it’s own controversy with many visitors to the world heritage site alarmed at the juxtaposing of the sculptures, many resembling oversized children’s toys with the existing rooms and gardens. Read More...

Banksy Installation HMV Store Oxford Circus September 2010

The Graffiti Artist Banksy (AKA, Robert Banks) has invaded the HMV Store in Oxford Circus in central London. The elusive sprayer left the shop with a little more then they expected, when asked to install a display of posters,to promote the release of his DVD ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop’. Read More.....

Photo:© ArtLyst 2010

Eadweard Muybridge Photographer Pioneer Tate Britain

Eadweard Muybridge

The Photographer Who Proved Horses Could Fly

Eadweard Muybridge (British-born 1830) left the London suburb of Kingston in the middle of the 19th century, to make his name and seek his fortune in the New World. Muybridge is now recognised at home and abroad as one of the most important pioneering photographers of the Victorian age. He emigrated to the United States in the 1850s pushing the limits of new camera technology. He experimented with the possibilities of creating images of animals and humans in motion. This was unexplored territory and like the Wild West beyond the reach of conservative prejudices. His work also explored vast panoramas of American landscapes, such as the Yosemite Valley, and his documentation of the rapidly growing west coast of America, particularly in San Francisco has been an important historic record of the times. Muybridge’s dramatic life included extensive travels in North and Central America, a career as a successful lecturer, and the scandal of his trial for the murder of his wife's lover. READ MORE....

Latest England football Shirt Designed By Peter Saville NEW PHOTO

Peter Saville, one of the best-known graphic designers in the UK has been chosen to design the new England football shirts for Umbro. Saville is best known for his album covers for Factory Records in the 1980’s and 90’s including the iconic Joy Division and New Order catalogues. He more recently has held lucrative consultancies for Givenchy, Pringle and Selfridges and is noted for re-branded the Design Museum and the Whitechapel Galleries. The team unveiled them on their Euro 2012 qualifying match on Friday against Bulgaria. READ MORE:

Punk Poster Art Returns to London

- Exhibition -

Loud Flash: British Punk on Paper: Haunch of Venison London

This is a comprehensive exhibition documenting British Punk on Paper. It is an unique exhibition of posters curated by the artist and designer Toby Mott and compiled from his own personal collection.
Read full article here