Tagged with: arts and culture
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A creature of the night
Phil Rickman
One evening last week, I stopped in the little rural town of Presteigne, in Powys, just on dusk... and one of those timeshifts occurred. It's a phenomenon best evoked on TV, when the picture goes into black and white and you see men in ankle-length macs and women with pins through their hats, and the men raise their trilbies to the women and offer them a Capstan Full Strength. Presteigne at dusk Well, OK, I may have exaggerated the odd period detail, but you get the idea: Presteigne at nightfall, especially when you haven't been there for a while, is part of another era. For a start, there are no superstores. There's a traditional greengrocer's which, like my dad's old village shop, also sells fresh fish. There are shops trading in second hand goods overflowing on to the pavement. There's a flower shop and a town hall with a clock. And never many people about. And not much light. Which is the point. Presteigne is not merely old-fashioned. Because of Powys County Council's bid to reduce its electricity bill, it's also extremely dim. No surprise, therefore, that this is the home of Ian Marchant, author of Something Of The Night, a new book about the strangeness of Britain after dark. The title comes from Ann Widdecombe's memorable description of her Tory colleague, Michael Howard. Something of the night about him, Ann remarked - and we might have guessed that she was about to become a novelist. Anyway, I've met both Michael Howard and Ian Marchant just the once, and maybe I'm not sufficiently attuned to this kind of aura but neither of them struck me as having much of the night about him. Michael Howard was fairly chatty and Ian Marchant seemed kind of sunny. And that's how his book begins. Ian Marchant Ian is one of those guys almost destined to live in Radnorshire, where incomers are rarely entirely normal. He's been a singer with various bands, including the almost-legendary Your Dad, and also a travel writer. "I am a creature of the night," he writes. "Ninety per cent of this book has been written after dark." His journey into the shadowlife is told in a series of flashbacks from an all-night drinking and confessional session with his mate Neil, a disabled small-time dope-dealer exiled to Ireland. To the strains of old pop music, most of which only one of them likes, we observe their wry but intermittently harrowing game of psychological strip-poker as the night makes its way towards the Hour of the Wolf. Although it's scattered with statistics about sleep, dreams and circadian rhythms don't expect some kind of encyclopaedia of the nocturnal world. This is an increasingly personalised account, which begins with fireworks in Abergavenny, floodlit football, dog-racing and where to get the best pillows. It moves on to the search for a nightingale in the Cotswolds and a visit to the Spacewatch observatory set up (in Radnorshire, obviously) to save the world from asteroid damage. There are memories of Ian's student years in Lampeter and a drive to Llanddewi Brefi where "the stars came crashing out in all their glory." And then it does get dark. The first danger signs appear in an account of a long drive from Cumbria home to Presteigne, listening to the car radio airing newly-discovered tapes of the poet Philip Larkin reading his own works. Larkin is a recurring murmur in this book which, sooner or later, had to tackle Aubade, arguably the most depressing poem ever written about lying awake with the knowledge that you're riding on a one-way ticket. A weird, apparently-prophetic dream signals the sudden death of Ian's estranged first wife, turning him overnight into a single-parent suffering repeated panic attacks and the conviction that he won't see another morning. Then comes the temazepam, the Valium, the beta-blockers. Meanwhile, we learn the tragic truth about how Neil came to be in Northern Ireland. And then there's the death of Ian's father, with whom he had a very negative relationship. And you remember a line from Chapter One. "Night is when we are most likely to die, commit suicide... the time of our greatest fears." It's not looking good. You examine the back fly-leaf to see if it says anything about this manuscript being found among the effects of the late Ian Marchant. But, no, he was still around for the candlelit launch party in Presteigne. And you remember the night in a curiously bright and vibrant churchyard when - OK, with his system not exactly substance-free - he became aware "that I wasn't alone in the universe. that I was part of this beauty, somehow, and it was appropriate that I was there, and loved..." It wasn't in Presteigne, but you can't have everything.
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Craig Roberts scoops award for Submarine role
Laura Chamberlain
Welsh actor Craig Roberts picked up the young British performer of the year accolade at yesterday's London Critics' Circle Film Awards for his role in Swansea-shot Submarine. Roberts, who hails from Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly, beat the likes of War Horse star Jeremy Irvine, Saoirse Ronan, John Boyega and his Submarine co-star Yasmin Paige to the award. Craig Roberts as Oliver and Yasmin Paige as Jordana in Submarine. Photo 漏 www.image.net Submarine was adapted from the novel by Welsh author Joe Dunthorne, and directed by Richard Ayoade. Ayoade was beaten to the breakthrough British film-maker gong at last night's awards by Andrew Haigh for Weekend, which starred Cardiff actor Tom Cullen. Cullen in turn missed out on the best British actor award to Michael Fassbender. Read more about the award winners on the 成人论坛 News website.
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Cardiff Print Workshop opens new work space
Laura Chamberlain
The Cardiff Print Workshop will open an additional work space this weekend, and will mark the occasion with a new exhibition and demonstration of the art form. Cardiff Print Workshop's new work space The Cardiff Print Workshop is a not-for-profit organisation which has been running for o...
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Death in Hollywood: the Peg Entwistle story
Martha Owen
It was the death of a Welsh actress in 1932 which helped spawn the potent symbolism now associated with the iconic white Hollywood lettering lining the Los Angeles hills.
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Plas Newydd hosts Josie Russell exhibition
Laura Chamberlain
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of strolling around the neo-Gothic mansion Plas Newydd on Anglesey, which is run by The National Trust. The brilliant weather we've been having in Wales this week added to beauty of this gorgeous building and its gardens that sits on the Menai Straits. Yet only two weeks ago the building suffered a water leak and damage to its saloon. The highlight of my visit was getting a glimpse of some of some of the artworks on show, including a fascinating 58 foot wide trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) mural by Rex Whistler in the house's dining room. Josie Russell with some of her art work at Plas Newydd. Image courtesy of The National Trust An example of some more contemporary art will make Plas Newydd its home from tomorrow though, as the building hosts a new exhibition of work by textile artist Josie Russell. Josie staged her first exhibition of work at Plas Newydd almost a year ago, and enjoyed a sell-out of her works during the exhibition. At the time she said: "I even had to introduce some new work during the exhibition to keep up with the demand." Josie works with recycled materials to create her fabric collage art works, some of which include landscapes of the Nantlle Valley where she grew up and went to school. She said: "I became aware very early on that beautiful, unique artwork does not have to cost hundreds of pounds to create or cause a detriment to our surroundings. "Only the bare minimum of my required materials are bought new: canvasses, certain threads, or spare parts for my sewing machine. The rest - buttons, beads, ribbons, and off-cuts of strange, striking fabrics - are sourced from extensive rummaging in my local charity shops, recycled from my own clothes, or else kindly donated by generous family and friends." The exhibition runs at Plas Newydd from tomorrow, Saturday 1 October, until Wednesday 2 November. Find out more about Josie's work on her website www.josierussell.com and for more information about Plas Newydd visit The National Trust website or keep up to date on Twitter @NTPlasNewydd.
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Augustus John, bohemian and painter
Phil Carradice
One of the most eccentric and fascinating characters ever to come out of Wales, the painter Augustus John, was a Pembrokeshire man through and through. Augustus John Even after he grew up and achieved international fame he often returned to the county of his birth, affording it a warm and fond place in his heart. The third of four children, both Augustus and his older sister Gwen became celebrated and distinguished artists. Indeed, there are many who say that for all his posing and bohemian ways, Gwen was actually the better painter of the two. The jury, as they say, is out on that one. Augustus John came from the county town of Haverfordwest where his father was a solicitor. However, he was actually born in the nearby seaside town of Tenby on 4 January 1878. Late in 1877 there had been a serious outbreak of scarlet fever in Haverfordwest and, with the new baby due any day, Augustus' mother and her young family left their house in Victoria Place and decamped to Tenby. Augustus was born there a few weeks later. Tenby was the ideal location for Augustus to grow up Much of the future painter's childhood was spent in Tenby, the open sands and fine sea bathing making it an ideal place to grow up. Even though his mother died when he was just six years old, it seems to have been a happy childhood. To begin with, at least, he was a mild and quiet child. However, an accident while bathing - diving into water that was too shallow - resulted in an injury that became life changing. The simplistic view is that he dived into the sea, smashed his head on a rock or the sea bed and suffered a character change - the rampaging bohemian was born. The truth of the matter is probably that the accident gave him a long period of enforced convalescence. During this time Augustus John sat and thought about life and art - and his role in it. The period certainly filled him with ideas and stimulated a passion for what can only be described as "adventure". John's ability as an artist was soon noticed and he studied first at Tenby School of Art. Quickly outgrowing this, he went to the Slade School of Art in London where he became renowned as the an exceptionally able pupil of artist and teacher Henry Tonks. Soon he was accepted as the most brilliant draughtsman the college had produced and, almost inevitably, won the Slade Prize in 1898. Leaving the Slade he went to Paris and then journeyed through France until he found the most perfect spot to live and paint in the Provence region. Early in 1900 Augustus John married his first wife, Ida. Always passionately interested in the Romany way of life, for many years he travelled, together with his wife Ida, his mistress Dorelia McNeill and children from both women, around the countryside in a gypsy caravan. It was a bohemian lifestyle that caught the public imagination and made his looming, bearded figure famous throughout the land. When Ida died in 1907 Augustus continued to travel and live with Dorelia - all the while managing to keep a mistress or two in close company. He did later marry Dorelia. The bohemian lifestyle did not seem to affect the children too much. One of the sons from John's first marriage, Casper, decided on a career in the Navy and rose to become First Sea Lord at the Admiralty. During World War One John was appointed official War Artist with the Canadian forces. Together with the king he was one of the few soldiers (his position as War Artist meant that he was officially a serving soldier) allowed to keep his beard and other facial hair! He did little painting, however, and after two short months in France he got himself involved in a brawl. Shipped home in disgrace, he managed to avoid a court martial - thanks to the intervention of Lord Beaverbrook - and he returned to France where he did actually manage to produce one or two paintings. The most famous of these is Fraternity, a depiction of three soldiers standing close together in front of a bombed out building. In his early days Augustus John had been known as an exponent of Post Impressionism and for his abilities as an etcher and sketcher in oil. After the war, however, he turned more and more to portrait painting and was soon regarded as Britain's finest artist in this field. Amongst others he painted people like Lawrence of Arabia, George Bernard Shaw and Dylan Thomas. It was Augustus John who actually introduced Dylan Thomas to his future wife, Caitlin Macnamara. Caitlin was at that time John's mistress and in a famous episode during the return from a drunken excursion to west Wales, the jealous Augustus John actually knocked Dylan down. It did not stop Caitlin transferring her allegiance to the Welsh poet. Augustus John continued to paint and write - he produced two autobiographies - until his death at Fordingbridge in Hampshire on 31 October 1961. He left behind a huge body of work, some quite brilliant, some possibly not so good. His real legacy, however, lies in the tales of rampaging hedonism that seemed to follow him wherever he went - truly one of Wales' great eccentric characters. If Phil's blog has made you want to find out more about Welsh art and artists, don't miss Rolf on Welsh Art on Wednesday 16 February, 成人论坛 One Wales. . In this new series Rolf Harris goes in search of some of the greatest artists to be inspired by Wales. Also, keep an eye out for Framing Wales which starts on Thursday 24 February on 成人论坛 Two Wales. Presented by Kim Howells, who attended Cambridge College of Arts and Technology it is his personal view of the great 20th century Welsh paintings and painters.
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Free art classes at Swansea Met
Laura Chamberlain
There are free art classes up for grabs next month at Swansea Metropolitan University, as its popular Saturday Art School returns for both adults and children. The university has been running the art classes for the past four years, with over 320 young people and more than 240 adults having at...
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Half-term art and craft workshops at Swansea's Glynn Vivian gallery
Laura Chamberlain
Children of all ages have the opportunity to get arty this half term holiday as the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea is staging free art and craft workshops. Activities on offer for children aged from five to 16 include script writing and performing, teepee making, sculpture making and textiles workshops. Photograph of young people at previous arts workshops at the Glynn Vivian Gallery 漏 Ken Dickinson 2010.
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Craft in the Bay: 25 years on and flourishing
Nicola Heywood Thomas
Last week I was in Craft in the Bay, the Cardiff home of the Makers Guild in Wales. Based in a refurbished and listed maritime warehouse with a purpose built extension on the poetically named The Flourish in Cardiff Bay, the building is full of high quality crafts and the Christmas exhibition, S...
