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I believe the way we look at visual arts has the potential to change our ideas about history and society, so this is my approach.
To quote the great Toni Morrison: "All good art is political. If it's not political, chances are that it's not that good."
Welcome to my blog (and thanks for reading).
Francesca
Beyond the Canvas
An art blog with opinions
Peter Hujar "Eyes Open in the Dark" at Raven Row, London
“My work comes out of my life. The people I photograph are not freaks or curiosities to me. I like people who dare.” - Peter Hujar...
Beyond the Canvas
Mar 211 min read
Judy Chicago's "Revelations" at the Serpentine Gallery, London
"If men had babies, there would be thousands of images of the crowning.” - Judy Chicago Today is Judy Chicago's 85th birthday, and this...
Beyond the Canvas
Jul 20, 20242 min read
Francis Alÿs's "Richochets" at London's Barbican
The "Ricochets" exhibition at the Barbican, showcasing the work of Francis Alÿs, will take you on an emotionally powerful journey that...
Beyond the Canvas
Jul 11, 20242 min read
The National Gallery turns 200
Fourteen years before moving to the iconic Trafalgar Square location, the National Gallery opened its doors to the public on 10th May...
Beyond the Canvas
May 11, 20242 min read
Philip Guston at Tate Modern, London
The tondo - from the Italian word for round, rotondo - is a circular painting or sculpture that became popular during the Italian...
Beyond the Canvas
Dec 4, 20231 min read
Thomas J Price at the V&A, London
“Mum, look - this one looks like you!" I turned around and saw an African American boy who can't have been older than 6 or 7 excitedly...
Beyond the Canvas
Aug 17, 20231 min read
Isaac Julien “What freedom is to me” at Tate Britain, London
"His works tell important stories, prioritising aesthetics, poetry, movement and music as modes of communication." (from the exhibition...
Beyond the Canvas
Aug 15, 20231 min read
Soheila Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel at The Curve, London
There are exhibitions that touch you somewhere deep inside. Far from merely delighting you visually, they grab you by the hand and they...
Beyond the Canvas
Feb 9, 20232 min read
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at Tate Britain, London
In my mind, a portrait is the depiction of an actual person, someone who has lived. Their portrait was made so their story could be told...
Beyond the Canvas
Jan 21, 20231 min read
A museum for change: the Museum of Homelessness, London
From the Wunderkammers of Renaissance to this day, the Global West has a museum for everything. From sex to death, from vaginas to...
Beyond the Canvas
Oct 17, 20212 min read
Paula Rego at Tate Britain, London
Coming out of this extensive and excellent survey, you get a strong sense that Rego's work is an intoxicating blend of the political and...
Beyond the Canvas
Sep 14, 20212 min read
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk -Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Iconic, but not frozen in time - a garment that continues to evolve and fascinate. That is the premise of this show that traces the...
Beyond the Canvas
Oct 9, 20201 min read
The liberation of Artemisia Gentileschi - National Gallery, London
The overwhelming dominance of Artemisia Gentileschi's personal narrative over her worth as an artist has always bothered me. The rape,...
Beyond the Canvas
Oct 4, 20202 min read
A few thoughts on Among the Trees - Hayward Gallery, London
Ever heard of that theory according to which trees are immortal? No? Then you clearly do not know me very well. Of course trees are not...
Beyond the Canvas
Aug 16, 20202 min read
A heathen's pilgrimage to the National Gallery
Today I'm celebrating my first trip into central London after 5 months of mostly staying at home. The Titian: Love, Desire, Death...
Beyond the Canvas
Aug 1, 20202 min read
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