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Art
Q+A: London artist on how liberation, sensuality inspire her oil paintings
London artist Angie Quick is having her second solo exhibition – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – at the Michael Gibson Gallery until Feb. 24. The 35-year-old self-taught painter, who moved to London from Calgary at age 18, spoke with LFP’s Beatriz Baleeiro about the local art scene and her new show.
It was taken from the song, a recorded version sung by Bryan Ferry. My parents would play it a lot when I was little. Usually, for my shows, I title the paintings from very personal lines but for this one, I decided to title each painting with a lyric from that song. It’s a song about being naive and putting your whole self out there and then having your heart broken, not just romantically, but in all sorts of aspects of life.
Your work is described as “seductive paintings that explore notions of happiness and joy, love.” Can you explain what ‘seductive’ means in your work?
Within the body of work that I make, there’s always a kind of sexual tension or eroticism, whether I’m actually depicting the naked body or I’m implying it, but I think the best way to describe my work is sensual. For me, sensuality is like how I paint, with oil paint. I think the very act of using and how I use oil paint is very sensual, and it has a tactile feel to it. So, when someone looks at it, it’s like they can feel the brushwork and emotion of me making the work. I think that has a luscious sensuality. I’d also say erotic, because if you look at them, there is a sense of the naked body and maybe you’re not sure what part of the body you’re looking at.
Where does your interest in eroticism as part of your work come from?
I would say that my interest in sensuality and eroticism is because we all come from a sexual nature. And, I think I’m interested in breaking down the idea between what it is to be the authority of being human, but then what it means to be an animal. I think when we strip away the idea of like that being human is better, it’s actually that we’re all just animals.
What’s your journey as an artist in London been like so far?
I really like working in London. From being a very young artist to now, there are a lot of interesting art groups and people doing stuff, but I think sometimes London gets seen as just a small city, which it is, but I think there’s an eagerness that exists in the city for people to make a space for creatives, so I’ve always really appreciated that.
Where do you find inspiration in the city?
I find London itself inspiring because it’s a city that is kind of bare-bones. It doesn’t really hide the ugliness of the city. By ugliness, I’d say where society fails and I think that’s an important thing is for young people and for artists to always be aware of where we have to do better. For me, art is important because it allows for that kind of dialogue and communication about what it is to be alive.
In your opinion, how’s the art scene in London? Is there space for another generation of artists?
It’s a great city with a lot of young people working really hard and having a vision. There’s a strong group of young people pushing for a space that allows for more women, queer, people of colour, and different kinds of background representation. I’m a big proponent and I love the young artists in London. There’s a real sense of community in London and wanting to push and a lot of the young artists have a huge political message with their work, too, and I think that’s really important to have.
Do you also have a political message that translates into your work?
I’d say a lot of my work deals with the idea of liberation, what that looks like and how freedom pushes against certain paradigms.
What are your expectations for the exhibit and as an artist?
I think it’s just like an opportunity to get to further share my vision and the work. The more people I think that get to see the paintings, the broader the dialogue that happens. And I think that’s really good for the paintings to kind of, like, live a bigger life. I see myself painting and making more work and hopefully exhibiting, further and wider outside of just Canada.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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