A Social Delight of Art at the Burgh House

It's always nice to get an invite to a Private View and take up the opportunity to go and see new paintings while enjoying a glass of wine and a nibble on a bread-stick.

My sister Teri Anne Scoble asked me if I could join her and pop in to see Faces and Spaces, an exhibition of six London- based artists curated by Art Agent Sue Ecclestone at the Burgh House, Hampstead.

Burgh House, Hampstead Heath

The Burgh House is rather grand with great wood panelled rooms in the manner of the Queen Anne epoch. It has stood in style for nigh on three hundred years mostly as a private residence - but nowadays, an independent charitable trust for arts, heritage and the community open its doors for four days in the week enabling the public to visit it's museum, exhibitions and café (in good weather it can be very pleasant taking tea on the garden terrace). 

From the welcoming bar I equip myself with a cool glass of Sipsmith (never drunk this before!) gin and Fever-Tree tonic.

Refreshments bar

As you can see from this pic - my sister knows what going to an art private view is all about.

Teri gobbling a bread stick

With my G & T accessory in my hand I work my way through to the gallery.



Doorway to the gallery

There directly in front as you enter the gallery is the portrait of one of my favourite actors Timothy Spall by the artist Tim Wright.

TW was painting consultant on the film Turner, working with the actor, teaching him how to actually paint like the painter Turner for his much acclaimed performance.

Timothy Spall by Tim Wright

  Hanging close by is a sort of 'Turneresque' landscape by artist Rw Easterby

Painting by Rw Easterby

On my way out of the small select gallery my eye catches a painting by Robert Dearman (who seems fond of painting big red busses).

Painting by Robert Dearman

This picture shows the artist in a café setting.

 And there is a pretty seascape by Chris Filtness.

Painting by Chris Filtness

 I leave the paintings and make my way back towards the bar where I can hear music.

A most talented musician and beautiful singer Anoushka Lucas is holding the room entranced!

Captivating singing by Anoushka Lucas

 She is singing 🎶 a lilting kinda blues that makes me wonder if she perhaps wrote it herself.

And I sit down beside a mad hatter.

Max-A-Hatter

His name is Max-A-Hatter and he designs and makes hats - should you want a statement piece of headgear - I'd give him a call! He says that you will always be noticed when you wear one of his designs.

So what do you think? Should I get one?

Wanna get ahead? Get a hat!

So, wearing a hat does attract attention it seems! (If you want people to talk to you – wear a hat!) I am still wearing the hat I have borrowed from the 'mad hatter', when a guest of one of the other artists comes over and talks to me! (If you want to sit quietly and listen to music don't wear a hat!) The gentleman is an architect, and his name is Mathew Deering, and he tells me all about his debut acting on the stage and how he now wants to be an actor. And he demonstrates his sword fighting, acting skills.

On guard!

The Minack Theatre is an open-air theatre, near Land’s End that is built upon a cliff rock face overhanging the sea. It was created by a remarkable woman called Rowena Cade who, with the help of her gardener, shifted great boulders of granite to construct this unique theatre.

Anoushka Lucas plays piano and sings

The mood is jazzy and bluesy and I go to the bar for a top- up of refreshment.

Lots of people are chatting and talking about art (I presume).

chatting

When Anoushka sings her last song I drain my glass and take a last look at the paintings.

Anoushka Lucas

Walking out into a light drizzle and Flask Walk ...

...and wend our way uphill towards the high street.

For years, when I'm out this way, I have always loved to walk to the Heath along Flask Walk -  and have always looked out for an old gate that is in a high wall. It is great heavy iron and wooden gate that had come from the old Newgate prison. Big and black and armour studded with rivets. Only, this time all I see is a black hoarding where the infamous Newgate prison gate used to be. It is not there anymore! It has been replaced by a black hoarding!

Wall now devoid of historical Newgate Prison gate

Where has it gone?

Faces and Spaces

Curated by Sue Ecclestone

Faces and Spaces draws together six London-based artists who challenge traditional forms of portraiture or landscape with stunning results and runs until the 17th April 2016

The six artists

Robert Dearman

Jess de Zilva
Rw Easterby
Chris Filtness
Claire Tilroe Steve Wazowski
Tim Wright