A curiously arty party...

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition seems to be more about art than exhibitionism this year. At the preview party a couple of weeks ago, everyone was talking about Christopher Le Brun’s ‘Salon hang’ in Gallery III. This style of display is named after the Salon Carre of the Louvre, where, from the eighteenth century onwards, the gallery walls were painted dark green or red, and filled to the rafters with the new art of their day. Until the late 1880s, it was the custom for Royal Academy shows to have their works displayed in this manner, in contrast to the modern ‘white cube’ format.







I didn’t notice much evidence of figurative art coming imminently back into fashion. However, there were some indications that the contemporary art market has turned a corner and is looking back in time for its inspiration. There have been plenty of detailed reviews already, but here’s a selection of photographs from the party and a few lines from ShopCurious:



William Norris & Company’s food was suitably arty, and presented in dinky little trays. There was a curiosity cabinet style display of antique kitchen and glassware - or was that an exhibit? I also wondered if a tiny fork I spotted on the floor was part of the show?






























The lovely ice lolly girls in the courtyard added a soupcon of retro flavour to the evening.


Arty folk always manage to look curiously cool – there were musicians in Missoni, and artists in... Jasper Conran – and lots of exceptionally well turned out types. I posed in my vintage Vivienne Westwood dress beside Jeff Koons’ Colouring Book, made from high chromium stainless steel with transparent colour coating (the sculpture, not my dress). And next to Olu Shobowale's Coffin to Die For... And with Tracey Emin.







































There’s money in art, but is it worth the asking price? Would you pay £90,000 for Allen Jones’ Think Pink – a hot pink mannequin in a crumpled blue wrapper? Or £60,000 for Martin Creed’s Work No. 998 – a pile of retro style chairs?




















The one piece everyone seemed to like, Keith Tyson’s Deep Impact, wasn’t for sale. I was rather taken by John Bellany’s Homage to Michael Spens, which provided plenty of food for thought. Fellow Royal Academician and exhibitor, Hughie O’Donoghue, admired the triptych with me, commenting that it reminded him of Max Beckmann’s work.














Simon Leahy-Clark’s Library II was created from newspaper cuttings on canvas. And fans of pop art are likely to be attracted to David Mach’s Mini Marilyns, which are made from matches.

















I don’t usually spend much time in the architecture room, but there was one piece I absoloutely loved – and I’m not sure who's responsible for this fabulously futuristic model? I adore the organic, flowing lines and the way the wood is layered in terraces.










Whatever anyone else says, it’s always worth seeing things for yourself. You’ve got until 15th August to visit the show. So do let me know what you think.

Will you?

Fishing around for Father's Day?

I was sorry to hear about the flood of sewage, caused by heavy rain last weekend, reportedly killing around 20.000 fish between Kew and the Albert Bridge. When the tide’s out, I’ve occasionally seen the odd angler bravely wading out into the River Thames – a tradition that must stretch back to time immemorial. According to a local fishing club, The Wandle Piscators, even Nelson fished the Wandle (a tributary of the Thames), with his good arm, until his death at Trafalgar.






I can see the appeal of fishing in the event of being marooned on a desert island - but why do people, especially men, become so obsessed with this curiously uneventful pastime? I decided to have a go myself – in an attempt to discover the allure of the strange sport… though being a fair-weather sort, I opted for a deep sea fishing trip in the sunny Caribbean. Not such a great idea if it’s not sunny, but STORMY.


Bravely overcoming my strong desire to bug out, I spent several hours inhaling stomach churning diesel fumes and foul fishy aromas, as the boat pitched at crazy angles. The vessel was equipped with all manner of curious fishing paraphernalia, which the captain and his mate put to use with professional nonchalance, even when the boat was at 45 degrees in a squall.




















Despite feeling a little queasy, I was determined to maintain my sartorial elegance throughout - but, boy was I glad when I saw the beach rapidly zooming towards us, as the boat accelerated back to shore at breakneck speed. And we actually brought in a reasonably decent catch - including a 25 pound Wahoo - a very tasty trophy.






















By the way, if your Dad’s a keen fisherman, then look no further than these fabulous vintage fly fishing cufflinks from ShopCurious, which would make the perfect Father’s Day present.



Anyway, there was I thinking that a more sedate form of fishy activity, like a trip to see Selfridges Project Ocean, might be a little less dangerous than deep sea fishing – but my curiosity to capture these strange chaps on film caused me to fall off the end of the escalator:

Will you?

PS If your Dad’s into something other than fishing, check out my special selection of unusual gifts for Dabbling Dads.

Champions of curious creativity

There’s so much going on in London - I sometimes worry about venturing outside our culture-crazed capital, for fear of missing something… Nevertheless, next week I’ll be travelling a few miles up the road to attend Royal Ascot. I’ve yet to decide which hats to wear. I’ll probably find myself doing a bit of DIY decoration at the very last minute.

As florals are in fashion, I might take my inspiration from the finalists in the Florist of the Year award at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, whose theme was 'a day at the races'. They created these magnificent jockey vests from freshly cut flowers, all displayed around Tom Hare’s stunning 2-D willow sketch of a race horse (see right and below).

































































For men, one of the advantages of Royal Ascot is that they get to dress up too. If you’re going along, ShopCurious has some curiously appropriate accessories, like these vintage ‘steeplechase’ cufflinks, which will certainly set you apart from the crowd. They’d also make a great gift for Father’s Day, which is useful, since that falls just after Royal Ascot – so if you’re curiously clever, you can save a few bob by using them for both…

Will you?

Old fashioned seaside fun

I was rummaging around in a drawer the other day, when I found this funny old photograph. Like many images of the time, it comes in postcard format, and Margate is mentioned on the reverse. Judging from the age of my aunt (centre, in a curiously old fashioned bathing suit), the picture was taken in the 1930s. My grandmother (on the left), and a rather matronly looking older lady, are wearing stockings and shoes… on the beach!





Fashion codes and swimwear styles excepted, a trip to the British seaside hasn’t changed that much over the years. Simple seaside pleasures remain much the same. There are still donkey rides, deck chairs, amusement parks, ice cream vendors and buckets and spades.












In fact, retro seaside style has become fashionably cool of late. At Clerkenwell Design Week, I posed in a vintage vermillion striped all-in-one swimsuit at the Camira stand. I only did this to be rewarded with a bar of rock – another traditional seaside treat.







Our nostalgia for the cheeky seaside postcard never seems to wane either... If you’re a fan of classic British holiday fun, you’ll love Fake London’s Wish You Were Here t-shirt from ShopCurious.













Tony Husband’s characterful cartoon captures the essence of the chavish chap enjoying a soaking of sun, sea and suds. Wish you were there?

Do you?

Her Eminence, Queen of Britart

Just thought you might like to see a photograph of Tracey Emin, taken at last night’s preview of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Here she is, looking resplendent in red Vivienne Westwood, together with her Royal Academician’s medal.

Whatever you think of Emin’s art, at least you think something - which, I believe, is what it’s all about... Personally, I’m rather a fan of her childlike curiosity for life, and the way she perceptively articulates this through her work. As a woman, it’s easy to identify with her portrayals of feminine vulnerability and her struggles to come to terms with womankind’s lot.





I’ve yet to visit the Tracey Emin: Love is What You Want exhibition at London's Southbank Centre. And the jury’s out as to whether Emin is a true creative genius, or simply a hardworking and hugely influential part of the fashionable contemporary art scene. One thing’s for certain - she’s always herself, and has become something of a national treasure.

Last night, Tracey insisted that we have our picture taken together, which was really sweet. Even without a flash, I think these photographs sum up her curiously charming manner.

Do you?


PS More photos in the ShopCurious review of the exhibition – coming shortly.

Dressing down for toffs?

Are posh people being persecuted?

Click on this link to listen to James Delingpole and Owen Jones discussing Julian Fellowes’ assertion that posh people should be protected from unfair discrimination.

What do you think?



If you find the class debate curiously fascinating, you might like to tune into a forthcoming radio play: Money, written by top-class toff, Edward Bulwer-Lytton (inventor of the phrase 'the great unwashed').

The new BBC Radio 3 adaptation was recorded on location at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, the stately home inherited by the aristocratic playwright in 1843.




The production is Samuel West’s debut as a radio director, and stars Roger Allam, Celia Imrie and Ian McDiarmid. Described as a cross between a Victorian morality play and a Dickensenian comedy, issues raised include social climbing, political corruption and abject poverty…but there’s a touch of romance too. And the discerning dramatization is enriched by music from the Endellion String Quartet, specially recorded for the play.

Money will be broadcast on Sunday 19th June at 8 pm as part of the Radio 3 Money Season. You can also hear it for a week afterwards via the BBC iPlayer, which is just as well since the 19th is Father’s Day.



And, if you’re looking an appropriately posh gift for Papa, may I suggest this retro-style Toffs 21/17 t-shirt by Fake London from ShopCurious…

Are you?

Food, style and brains...

Eating out isn’t just about the food. Presentation is also a significant part of the overall culinary experience. The way dishes are put together on a plate has become something of an art. Of course, it helps if the tableware is aesthetically appealing too.








Fresh ingredients, artfully arranged on a plain white plate, can look very appetizing (though excuse my foot, which crept into one of these shots).







Masters of Asian Fusion style, like Nobu, can turn a simple soup into a beautiful work of art.

Rustic plates in earthy coloured glazes (see below) add to the allure of the dishes.



















But ultimately, it’s still the taste that counts. The rather curious looking sloppy brown goo (pictured right) on my plate at the Chelsea Arts Club the other night was absolutely delicious – even though I was a little put off by the thought of eating brains…

I’ll certainly remember the first time I sampled the rather unusual dish of 'curried calves brain, cauliflower puree, rocket and capers'.





If you enjoy cooking up memories, you’ll love this curiously clever food journal from ShopCurious. By the way, whose culinary skills do you most admire?

Do you?

PS Read about the office lunch of the future in my RetroProgressive column this week.