Back to this blog again I guess! I like blogger so I shouldn't leave it this long haha!! On Tuesday I had a pretty full day of doing fun stuff so I thought I'd blog about it ^.^
I had read a few months ago two of my favourite artists - Yoshitomo Nara and Jenny Saville, were exhibiting in London galleries so because I don't go into London very often I decided to see both in one day! I got the train at about midday and arrived in London at around two so as soon as I arrived I made a beeline to my lunch stop of the day.
Before I go anywhere basically, I always research where I'm going to go eat because you gotta make sure that you're not getting ripped off, which is often the case when you go out to eat in central London. I'm really in to Scandinavian food, so when I found the ScandiKitchen Cafe & Shop I decided to go there immediately because it was somewhat near the galleries I had booked to go to.
Inside the cafe has very Scandinavian minimalist interior design and has a really nice atmosphere, not to mention it's air-conditioned! I was debating whether to eat in or eat outside but after feeling that good air-con I decided to pay a little extra and eat inside. Because I got there a bit after lunch they only had a few things on display and so I didn't have to make much of a decision on what to eat, which maybe was a good thing lol.
I got the smoked carrot and avocado open sandwich with beetroot salad + filter coffee,
it was all really tasty :p
After I devoured my lunch I got the bus - which I realised when I was on it was only about two stops and I could of just walked - to my next location.The next place on my agenda was a visit to a stationery shop that I have been dying to go to for ages - the shop Choosing Keeping. Choosing Keeping are an independent stationery shop that sell basically, the cutest things in existence whilst keeping it totally classy. I wasn't able to take any photos inside so you have just got to believe me that it really is the place of dreams, if your dreams consist of high quality paper and bear stickers like mine do. Their site is here if you are interested. I had to get at least a couple things I had to restrain myself a couple times from going crazy and buying everything I set my eyes on. It's like if I was Carrie Bradshaw, Choosing Keeping would be my Jimmy Choo - I should not be allowed in unattended. The whole shop was full of cool looking people and even though I wanted to spend hours in their absorbing their coolness and trying out expensive pens, I was going to be totally late for my first booking! Here are the couple of things I managed to purchase before I had to tear myself away:
Bear marriage!
Choosing Keeping branded silk screen print - the paper is TDF!
Maybe my favourite purchase of the day - glittery cat stickers!
They are jelly stickers so are raised off of the page.
I fast walked past China town and Leicster Square to the National Portrait Gallery where the Jenny Saville exhibit was being shown. As usual, I was convinced that due to my lateness I would be denied entry but I was let in without a bat of an eyelash! If you are familiar with Jenny Saville's work then you will be aware that her paintings are around 3 meters tall and just as wide. So as soon as I walked into the exhibit I was greeted with her work towering over me, which was pretty incredible. The exhibition began with her earliest works, which are defined by their pale backgrounds and usually focus on the female body as a subject.
Propped - 1992
This piece was displayed originally by a mirror so that you can read the
backwards words edged into the painting. The text, from an essay by feminist writer
Luce Irigaray, reads: 'if we contiue to speak in this sameness - speak as men have spoken for
centuries, we fail each other.'
The exhibit followed Jenny Saville's artistic career and each room or hallway was specific to a particular era in her life as an artist. This next room was a favourite of mine and focuses on her work in the early 2000s where she focused mainly on portraiture but of people who have appearances outside of the social norm. Her style has differed somewhat over the years, really just proving how talented she really is - she can do anything!
Witness - 2009
This one was so cool up close, so many layers and textures.
Stare - 2004/5
This painting is actually the Manic Street Preachers Journal For Plague Lovers artwork!
She also did the cover art for their 1994 album The Holy Bible. I got a postcard of this at the shop.
One out of Two (symposium) - 2016
Out of one, two (symposium) - 2016
Chasah - 2020
The exhibition was super worthwhile - and free for under 25s too which was cool! I then walked over the road to the Japan Centre because they usually have stationery on sale and I am stationery-obsessed as you now know LOL.
I got some cat sticky notes, which I will probably give to my sister as she is 'cat-obsessed' and some adorable washi tapes with retro Japanese sweets on them. I also got a matcha melon pan and some jasmine tea that I devoured without taking a photo of - oops! It was at this point I checked the time, and lo and behold I was going to be late for my next booking! If you are in any way familar with central London you will be aware that it is an incredibly walkable city which is something I was so graetful for in that moment as I began to sprint to the next gallery. I even had to cross the river Thames via bridge LOL, so I was obviously a bit sweaty and warm by the time I made it.
The next exhibit was for the artist Yoshitomo Nara - whose work is much more illustrative and kitsch than Savilles. The exhibit started with the cutest shed which had been decorated by Nara and included both his works and collection of knick-nacks.
My Drawing Room 2008, Bedroom Included - 2008
Naras work varys alot in size and material so it was awesome to see such a range of it displayed. Here are some of my favourites.
Light My Fire - 2001
Little Thinker - 2021
Stars - 2014
Mirror Ball Bon Dance Festival - 2012 and Recordings (レコード盤) - 2012
Wild One - 2024
Walking around the exhibition was a great experience, everywhere I looked was a different art work! There were also lots of cool people there which increased the overall vibe by like 10% even if I was more concious of my outfit suddenly. This exhibit was £10 for under 30 year olds and was way worth the money because there was lots to look at. I bought a badge will I will probs give to my friend. It's very cute though!
Tierdness had begun to hit me as a finished walking around the exhbit so I decided to get a train straightaway. I had to run for it and just my luck it was delayed anyway so there was no point LOL. Overall the day was really awesome! Yay for art and tasty food :-)
Back to this blog again I guess! I like blogger so I shouldn't leave it this long haha!! On Tuesday I had a pretty full day of doing fun stuff so I thought I'd blog about it ^.^
