Artists have always had different sources of inspiration for their works. Even spectators also draw ceaselessly from these pieces of artwork. Right from an urban inspiration from art galleries to nature. People expend time and money to catch pictures of portraits or landscape paintings in galleries.
These galleries are unique things about cities with endless cultural treats and enough ‘spectators’ for endless sold-out events. An urbanite is at the mercy of this urban inspiration, that shapes him or her into what they should be.
Tracking down the big exhibitions
- People always keep checking on exhibition events to tap into a world of surging urban inspiration. That is why you will see queues around the corners of exhibition buildings. You will see this anytime there is an event in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
- Take David Hockey, one of the UK’s most known artists of the last century. His recently finished iPad Yorkshire landscapes exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts was a hit, with people waiting in line sometimes for hours (winter time!), raving reviews, huge banners across the city’s walls, and plastic bags with colorful landscapes. Of course, well-oiled marketing machinery can be ‘blamed’ for part of the success, but with major artists, it’s not hard to sell out. Maybe because they are such a big inspiration.
- If you happen to be or just pass through London until the end of May, we suggest you don’t miss Lucian Freud Portraits. Here you have some incentives. It’s the most ambitious exhibition of his work since 2001, with over 100 paintings, drawings and etchings brought together from around the world. That’s quite unique, as you might never be able to see some of these portraits again. At least in real life.
- Freud (1922-2011) was one of those great realist artists able to create work of striking observational intensity. It is a bit like an overdose of sincerity that stirs the viewer and forces pensive moods. With around 100 human beings staring straight at you from the paintings is a pretty intense encounter that might leave you feeling drained and exposed. There is a fascination in his use of thicker brushes, dense application of pigments, chronological changes in style, sitters and interests. The stories that come with the portraits are just as inspiring as the paintings themselves. From famous people to royalty, family, and friends, many wanted to pose for him. Including the Queen. And it’s not a flattering portrait. But then again, you didn’t pose for Freud if you wanted flattery.
Urban inspiration | Who It Is Not Meant For
Urban inspiration is an intimate, hard to define and classify experience but if you’re all wound up when faced with masterpieces, not missing the major exhibitions out there is a big plus. But this experience is not meant for everyone.
Who Exhibition Is Not Meant For
The exhibition is not recommended to prudes who think art is just cherubs and apples on a plate. Or to vicars. I’m telling this because although the vicar I heard the other day was impressed with Freud’s talent, he wasn’t particularly fond of his choice of topics.