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‘Curator Art’ Category Posts

Salon du Bon Vouloir

by becqua on May 24, 2025, in the Curator Art, News category
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Salon du Bon Vouloir 2025
Salon du Bon Vouloir 2025

18 May – 17 August 2025
Salon du Bon Vouloir
Located at Anciens Abbattoirs, rue de la Trouille, 7000 Mons

Now showing its 120th exhibition, the show has an esteemed list of previous exhibitors including Vincent van Gogn, Rene Magritte and more.

Le Bon Vouloir state that they are “a Mons artistic circle founded in 1895 and the last true Artists’ Salon in Belgium, is firmly established in the customs and traditions of Mons and eagerly awaited by art lovers, as evidencedby both the countless requests for participation addressed by.’ artists to the circle’s leaders and the large crowds that flock to the opening. This constantly evolving circle has the distinction of operating as a “friendly society” governed not by strict and fixed regulations, but by a “gentlemen’s agreement” aimed at supporting the artistic expression of each of its members and guests rather than defending a specific school or movement.

However, it does not represent a showcase for so-called”local art,” and while it has sought, and still seeks, to defend and promote artists connected to Mons and Hainaut, it refuses to advocate for a hypothetical “regional school”: modern and contemporary artistic creation l has no regard for borders, and indeed willingly transgresses them with audacity and freedom.

The first Salon du Bon Vouloir, in 1895, brought together 151 works by twelve artists aged 18 to 27 and immediately established itselfas a youthful circle, open to all innovative trends and artistic techniques.”

Oil painting by Becky McCarthy of a girl with her face painted like a clown exhibited at the salon du Bon Vouloir

A Funny Kind of Grief, exhibited at the 120th Salon du Bon Vouloir.

The exhibition this year contains a wide variety of artworks: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed-media, collage and photography.

I’m pleased to be included this year with an oil painting titled A Funny Kind of Grief. A self-portrait based on a photograph I took about a week after my younger sister’s funeral. My brother and I had painted our faces to record a humorous video for our niece. The absurdity of the situation dawned on me and demonstrates the masks we wear in public. View my original artworks HERE >>>

Fund out more on their website Salon du Bon Vouloir

A Visit to Tate Britain

by becqua on April 26, 2025, in the Curator Art category

tate britain logo

Tate Britain

Having been to Tate Modern on a few occasions, it was time to visit Tate Britain. Admission to the main exhibition was free, and covered over 500 years of British art. Some of the stand-out pieces were by John Singer Sargent, JW Waterhouse, Damien Hirst, Gilbert & George and many more. There are some eyecatching pieces to be seen here and if you’re a fan of JMW Turner’s work, they have a large collection of his paintings. The gallery was busy, but not hectic, so a relaxed stroll around the exhibits was easy. Located by the Thames at Millbank.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am-6pm
Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG

A few of my snapshots…

a selection of photos from tate Britain laid out in Polaroid style

For further information on Tate Britain and any current additional exhibitions. Visit their website here

Some Suggestions for London Galleries

by becqua on September 3, 2024, in the Curator Art category

There’s a vast number of amazing museums and galleries to visit in London and here’s a couple of my favourites that I visited recently.

I’ve been taking a break from the studio to recharge my batteries, and it was great to head to London and visit Tate Modern, and the National Portrait Gallery, to add a little creative inspiration to my work.

tate modern logo

Based on Bankside in London, the Tate has free admission with paid admission for some of it’s visiting exhibitions. A lovely spacious location, it feels less crowded than many of the London galleries. Anthony McCall’s exhibit ‘Solid Light’ runs from June 2024 – April 2025 and is a mixture of art, installation, light and sculpture. I interacted with the exhibit by walking through walls and tunnels of light, then sat on the floor contemplating, as the sculpture subtly changed in front of me.

3 photos of Anthiny McCall's installation Solid Light


National portrait gallery Logo

Next was the portrait gallery where I loved studying portraits that spanned the centuries, loving the historical, the iconic, the kitsch, and the modern works there. The art collection spans from the 16th Century to the modern day and incorporates painting, drawing, sculpture and photograhy. For me, as a portrait artist, it was wonderful to see the paintings up close and examine the brushwork, to reach out an touch the past.  A few iconic highlights as you come face-to-face with Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn, the Bronte sisters, Wallis Simpson, Virginia Woolf, Bjork & thousands more.

Also, check out the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024 exhibition at the National Gallery, with free admission, which shows a wide range of contemporary portrait art. See work by winners Antony Williams, Isabella Watling, Rebecca Orcutt and Catherine Chambers. Exhibition runs from July – October 2024.

 

selection of digital poloroid photos showing art from london galleries

A glimpse of my London gallery weekend.

For more info on 25 museums you can visit for free in London, click here plus see Visit London’s list of best art galleries.

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