April in Britain
My monthly article for Anglotopia has some real gems this time. There’s Easter news but also a goth get-together, a royal garden, whisky and Shakespeare. And a venue featuring drag and sausages.
The Ugly Duchess
You may recognise Quinten Massys’s An Old Woman (c.1513) from John Tenniel’s drawings of the Duchess in Alice in Wonderland. This one-room display at the National Gallery is well worth seeing as there are also some drawings by Leonardo da Vinci including one from the King’s collection.
After Impressionism
Also at the National Gallery, this exhibition looks at the three decades following Impressionism. There’s a lot to see and this is going to be very popular so do book in advance.
Treasures From Spain & The Hispanic World
This Royal Academy exhibition presents a visual narrative of the history of Spanish culture. I went in not knowing the topic but I thoroughly enjoyed this. I saw names I recognised and discovered a lot more that were new to me. I admired ancient artefacts and studied incredible paintings up close, which is always a delight. (I mentioned this in an earlier newsletter but it’s good to know you could see two RA exhibitions on the same day – see below.)
Souls Grown Deep
Also at the Royal Academy, this exhibition showcases unique African American artistic traditions and methods of visual storytelling. I particularly enjoyed the free expression in the ‘junk art’ and the reminder that in a world that is full of ‘stuff’ we can make something wonderful.
I was An Afternoon Tea Awards Judge
After many years of tea drinking and devouring of cakes, I had the honour of being an Afternoon Tea Awards judge. If you ever thought your aunty Ethel was fussy, you’ve not seen anything compared to how much I check the detail on this best meal of the day. I’m proud to say I judged two of the main winners and my comments were read out to explain why these London afternoon teas are so exceptional.
What’s Planned This Month?
I’ve already written about the Dickens and Fog exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum so that should be published soon. I’m looking forward to seeing The Rossettis at Tate Britain and Dressing The Georgians at the Queen’s Gallery. (Will we start calling it the King’s Gallery soon?) The Zippos Circus tour has started so I’ll be helping them with online promotions. And I’ll have my second cataract operation so am nearer to being able to enjoy the summer sunshine.