and Kiki Smith of course!

Even while I was writing about Louise Bourgeois and Annette Messager and how they were some of the most compelling artists working now for me I realised I wanted to add Kiki Smith too of course.
So above I show some of her work and how she looks.
Her work like the other two HAS to be seen in person.
I just want to inspire you to go and search it out.

More Messager

The Secret Room

The Messengers

Casino


Annette Messager

At the Hayward Gallery in London from March until May 2009 there is an extraordinary retrospective exhibition called The Messengers by Annette Messager.
I have been interested in her work for the past 30 years since I first met her in Paris. She is a gentle, bright woman with a humbleness which when you see her work almost surprises you. The work is so powerful, going into the darkest places with humour and exploring any materials regardless of any fashion of the time.
For me Louise Bourgeois and Annette Messager are two of the most gripping artists working today. They pull me in each time into a world created by them but taking off to become almost anything. The work works. I still have the exhibition whirling around inside.
Casino was first shown at the Venice Biennale in 2005 when Annette Messager represented France. We sat for a long long time with Casino. I recommend having time when you go to the show. It defies words. Casino is experience.

Going south

I am preparing for a trip south! Living in the north that is what is said up here. South. Just south. Nothing more specific than that. Just like vice versa going north. Just north.
In any case I shall be filming on Sat not for a specific project but because it may be of interest. A visit to Ralph Steadman an artist who has worked extensively with Adrian Mitchell and also Hunter S Thomson. Both have recently died and I am sure Mr Steadman has been deeply affected.
We shall be visiting his studio to pick out drawings for the latest Mitchell book, so that should be fascinating.
Other than that I want to see Annette Messager's exhibition at the Hayward Gallery "The Messengers". I have always really liked her work and felt close to her concerns. This is the first retrospective in this country ever, and long overdue.
Hopefully there will also be time to go to the Triennale at the Tate.
This is an art trip more than a poetry one, usually they are combined and with filming too.
Seeing my oldest and bestest friend Paul will be a big bonus and a treat!

An orchard a hotbed of ideas

Orchard

Klimt: Orchard with Roses

I have been dreaming about an orchard with fruit trees. For years I have found that word ORCHARD so evocative. The Cherry Orchard of course but also in the sense of memory. Going off on our bicycles my friend Anne and I would go to orchards with meadows in between the trees and set out a blanket, drink tea and read our library books. That is how I like to remember my summers! Reading in orchards.
Also, who was it that said stolen fruit tastes better?
Here at Sheep Cottage I inherited three fruit trees, two apple and one Victoria plum. One of the apples is a cooking apple.
Just the other day in anticipation of spring I ordered four more fruit trees. A cherry, another apple, a pear and another plum. My dream of an orchard is slowly getting there.
My son teases me because I have been calling the three trees at the bottom of the garden "the orchard" since I moved here. I have hung up a hammock, there is a bird house...
Now I am wondering where to plant the new ones...
Orchards somehow are synonymous with pleasure, childhood summers, dreams, melancholy even...I like to visit them world over; olive trees, pomegranate, almond...
Also orchards need labour but the yield is divine. We need our bees!

I love the Ink Spots!