North: Fashioning Identity @ Somerset House

Currently showing at Somerset house is the North: Fashioning identity exhibition. Bringing together a collection, including photography, fashion, music and lifestyle artefacts by a number of artists, the aim is to showcase visual representations of the North of England.

“The show looks at the themes and tropes present in these collective visions of northern England and consider why these regions, or representations of them, are increasingly a source of inspiration and still so idealised today.”

The exhibition is split into different rooms that you follow around until you get back to the entrance. The first few rooms are mostly photography and film but it then moves on to clothing, the focus is on particular styles and brands that are often associated with northerners through the music and fashion scene.

 

At the end was a room made up to look like a house with lots of television screens, people were lazing around on sofas and beds listening to interviews and documentaries that had been filmed with people from the North, looking at how their home town has been an inspiration in their creative output.

A catalogue featuring all the work is available to buy as you leave or if you don’t want to purchase it, you can have a seat and read through it along with loads of other publications on the same subject.

I really found the exhibition interesting, particularly the mix of contemporary and vintage pieces and the perspectives of so many different artists.

If you would like to visit, the exhibition is on until Feb 4th and a full price ticket is £7. There are concessions available and children under 12 go free. At the moment there is also a very festive ice-skating rink right outside so if you fancy, you could really make a day of it!

Courtauld gallery @ Somerset house

The Courtauld gallery is situated at the entrance to Somerset house and I have actually walked past it a couple of times without realising the masterpieces that hang within it.

The collection of paintings range from early renaissance into the twentieth century and features legendary artists such as Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin.

The collection is spread over four floors which is accessed via the winding staircase and they all have a description of the piece placed next to them with the artists name and information about the piece.

The displays are not just placed on the walls and some of the rooms are incredibly ornate and a work of art in themselves. It is not just paintings featured in the gallery, there are also prints, drawings, sculptures and decorative arts.

My favourite pieces were the bronze ballet dancers by Degas accompanied by his painting entitled Two dancers on a stage.

I found the Courtauld to be a real hidden treasure that is a lot more compact than some of London’s more well known galleries, although it does have an entrance fee but this means there are less visitors so there is more space to take in the artwork. I managed to get in free with my student ID and there are other concessions. Under 18s are free although I don’t think it would be too popular with young kids! Check out their website for more up to date information.

 

Somerset House

I managed to make the Malick Sadibe exhibition at Somerset house before it closed, which was lucky as it was on the 10 places I want to visit in London list.

The building itself is really impressive and I imagine there are loads of interesting things housed inside but I didn’t have time to explore too much and headed straight for the exhibition.

Malick who is known as Mali’s most famous photographer captured the popular culture of Bamako in the newly independent Mali in the 60s and 70s. Armed with just his lightweight kodak brownie and his bicycle he set off around the city capturing scenes by the river, in the music venues and within his own studio to document the celebratory atmosphere.

I love how his images show the energy and exuberance of the young generation during a social and cultural change. The confidence in their dance moves and party attire reflecting youth across the world. His images are displayed in a very traditional way with large format black and white photos placed in plain white frames made it unfussy and focused on the intimacy of the subjects.

The images were accompanied by a soundtrack curated by DJ and African music expert Rita Ray featuring a mix of British and American rock n roll to Malian roots music,  which is believed to have been played in the nightclubs and during sibedes photoshoots

It may be too late to see the show at Somerset house now but all the images are for sale at their online store as posters, post cards or within a book.