English Culture IV - Lucien Freud

Lucien Freud Paints Queen Elizabeth II

“Lucien Freud is often described as Britain's greatest living figurative painter. So is it any wonder that Queen Elizabeth II agreed to his request to paint her portrait? One can only presume that she was familiar with Freud's style and knew what she was letting herself in for.

Some of the comments by critics of the painting seem surprised that Freud has had the audacity to paint his monarch in his usual intense, penetrating style. The Sun newspaper, never known for its tact, described it as "a travesty" saying Freud should be "locked in the Tower" for it. The editor of the British Art Journal is quoted as saying: "It makes her look like one of the royal corgis who has suffered a stroke."

Freud is quoted as saying this was because he "had always liked the way her head looks on stamps, wearing a crown" and he "wanted to make some reference to the extraordinary position she holds, of being the monarch."

Freud has described his paintings as "a kind of truth-telling exercise." And the truth of the matter is that the British monarch is not a young woman.

Article from About.com by Marion Boddy-Evans:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-499346/Graffiti-artist-Banksy-strikes--Bethlehem.html

In my research about Lucien Freud I saw this article that interested me. Here the ability of Lucien painting the Queen Elizabeth is questioned because of his intense style of painting.

English Culture IV - Banksy

Banksy

Graffiti artist Banksy strikes again - in Bethlehem

"Elusive graffiti artist Banksy has struck again, this time in the Holy Land with a series of stencilled works on the security wall in Bethlehem.

The Bristol-born artist has adorned the West Bank barrier with six new images, including a dove wearing a flak jacket and a soldier being frisked by a young girl.

Banksy has adorned the West Bank barrier with six new images

Banksy has previously painted on the 436-mile long concrete wall that borders large sections of the occupied territories.

Constructed by Israel, the barrier has been condemned by activists and declared illegal by the United Nations.

It now showcases the work of possibly the most well-known and popular graffiti artists around.

Also among the latest additions are a soldier checking the papers of a donkey and one of the artist's trademark rats next to a watch tower.

Banksy, whose work was originally seen in Brighton and London's East End, is one of a number of celebrated graffiti artists who have daubed the West Bank wall over the last few weeks.

Santa's Ghetto will be open from tomorrow to Christmas Eve.

Fans of Banksy, known to include Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, will be able to pick up original work by the artist but will have to visit the exhibition in person.

Banksy said: "If it is safe enough for a bunch of sissy artists then it is safe enough for anyone."

Article from Mail Online : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-499346/Graffiti-artist-Banksy-strikes--Bethlehem.html

English Culture IV - Gilbert and George

Gilbert and George

“Gilbert & George place themselves, their thoughts and their feelings at the centre of their art, and almost all of the images they use are gathered within walking distance of their home in London’s East End. Yet their pictures capture a broad human experience, encompassing an astonishing range of emotions and themes, from rural idylls to gritty images of a decaying London; from fantastical brightly-coloured panoramas to raw examinations of humanity stripped bare; from sex advertisements to religious fundamentalism.

From the beginning, they wanted to communicate beyond the narrow confines of the art world, adopting the slogan ‘Art for All’. As a result they have joined the very small handful of artists to become household names, and their impeccably-dressed figures are instantly recognisable to the general public. Bringing together a selection of pictures that spans their entire 40-year career, it is fitting that Gilbert &George: Major Exhibition is the largest retrospective of any artist to be held at Tate Modern.”

In this video George and Gilbert talk about the "Major Exibition" of them that happened in 2007 in London at Tate Modern.

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/gilbertandgeorge/default.shtm