“Fun Without Vulgarity”: A brief history of Dundee’s Music Halls, from the 1840s to the Great War
Delighted to have a chapter published in the new Abertay Historical Society’s book ‘A Dundee Miscellany’. Focusing on Dundee’s rich music hall history I discovered some fascinating new stories about some of the city’s familiar old buildings. Available now: https://abertay.org.uk/buy-online/
New Questions about Sickert’s ‘Vesta Victoria at the Old Bedford’
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/
The Tragedy of Springthorpe Music Hall
Fancy reading about a forgotten music hall tragedy that took place in Dundee in the 1860s? Then pick up the latest issue of ‘History Scotland’ magazine to read more!: https://www.historyscotland.com/
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
‘Gracie and the Unicorn’: Gracie Fields’ visit to Dundee, May 1949
Recent piece I did for ‘The Call Boy: The Official Journal of the British Music Hall Society’. Join as a member to read more! http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/
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! https://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/in-focus/the-dolls-house-william-rothenstein/rothenstein-and-modern-theatre
‘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…
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:
Walter Sickert and Contemporary Drama
In the early part of the 20th century, the English artist Walter Sickert explored the theatre of the ‘New Drama’. Learn more about his fascination with realism and the spectre of Ibsen here. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/camden-town-group/william-rough-walter-sickert-and-contemporary-drama-r1104370
‘A cluster of butterflies: James Guthrie Orchar and his collection of Whistler etchings and drypoints’
Dundee is home to one of the most significant small collections of the artists James Abbott McNeill Whistler and his brother-in-law, Sir Francis Seymour Haden. I was luck enough to gain access to the McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum to view these artists beautiful prints. Here’s a link to a piece I wrote on…
Sickert’s Mirror: Reflecting duality, identity and performance c.1890
Way back in the day, at the early start of my research into Walter Sickert, I published a little piece on Sickert and his relationship to the music hall. It was published in the British Art Journal (X, 3, p. 138-144). Here’s a link: http://www.britishartjournal.co.uk/
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