Had fun delving into some curious questions relating to Sickert’s supposed portrait of the music hall performer Vesta Victoria, for the recent issue of the Burlington Magazine. You can pick up the journal here: https://burlington.org.uk/
Category Archives: Art
The Art of Murder: Walter Sickert & Jack the Ripper
My latest piece exploring the supposed links between Sickert and Jack. Pick up in shops now or subscribe here: https://subscribe.forteantimes.com/
‘The Much-Abused Apostle of Music Hall Art’: Sickert and the Stage
Thrilled to have been asked to contribute an essay to Tate Britain’s new ‘Walter Sickert’ exhibition. You can read more about the exhibition (and buy the catalogue!) here: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/walter-sickert
Sickert’s Trash Talk: ‘Sickert: A Life in Art’
Short piece on the painter Walter Sickert and his relationship, and criticism, of modern art. Part of the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool: ‘Sickert: A Life in Art’ exhibition: https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/matisse-has-all-worst-art-school-tricks-sickerts-trash-talk
The Art of the Sailor
Little piece I did for Readers Digest UK. Great to chat to Dr Matt Lodder, Jonny Hannah and Robin Diaper. Read it here: The Art of the Sailor: Scrimshaw, Tattoos, and the Romance of the Sea – Reader’s Digest (readersdigest.co.uk)
‘Tawdry, vulgar and the sentiment of the lowest music hall’: Sickert’s paintings c.1888-c.1895
Recent talk delivered for the British Music Hall Society. Get in touch for more info! BRITISH MUSIC HALL SOCIETY
A ‘penchant for the dramatic’: Rothenstein and Modern Theatre
Not that familiar a name today, but in the late 19th and early 20th century William Rothenstein was one of England’s most intriguing artists. Follow the link below to discover more about his relationship with the British theatre. Enjoy!
‘My name is Pistol called…’ William Mollison, George Henry and the challenge of theatre portraiture
During my research into The Orchar Collection, I came across this painting by the Scottish artist George Henry of the Dundee born actor William Mollison. Well, Scottish Art and the Theatre? This was too much of a draw for me! So I wrote a little piece on it for The British Art Journal (XV, 2, p. 54-58)
The Art of Crossing: Introduction: Kate Downie. Zero to Fifty: The Road Bridge Diaries
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the Forth Road Bridge I was very privileged to be asked to write the introductory essay to the wonderful Kate Downie’s catalogue. Kate was artist-in-residence on the 50th anniversary project and produced a beautiful series of works on the bridge. You can read more about the project here: Rough, W. W. & Downie, K., 1 Aug 2014, Kate Downie. Zero to Fifty: The Road Bridge Diaries.
There is also a video of Kate discussing the project and the exhibition at Hopetoun House in 2014:
The Orchar Collection: Prints
Back in 2013 I was lucky enough to be tasked with developing a new website cataloguing the prints held in The Orchar Collection, in The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. The website is still live and you can explore the collection here:
Rough's Drafts 