Monday 9 March 2009

GERHARD RICHTER AT NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON

GERHARD RICHTER PORTRAITS EXHIBITION
at National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Lane, London
Lind http://npg.org.uk
Don't expect a large exhibition! The book on sale as you go in suggests a huge collection of his work, full of the iconic black and white portrait paintings, but no, there are no more than 34 pieces on display, and of these, the last one is merely a large mirror, entitled 'Spiegel (Mirror) Mixed media, 2008'. So you can look at yourself.
There are the usual printed notices in each of the five small exhibition areas, with quotes from GR and as usual, you have to read these to get the slightest idea of what the galleryists think is behind his working. In other words you can read what they think or you can think for yourself, and in fact I did, coming to the conclusion that it was unchallenging, flat, uninteresting and lacking in the sensuality of oil painting which I love.
I went with a group of friends from South London Women Artists group http://southlondonwomenartist.co.uk
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More to follow, though - I did have second thoughts .....

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