Article in the week magazine drawing my attention to the exhibition, selection of charcoal drawings by Leon Kossoff, London landscapes selected from works produced over the past 60 years. Liked the drawing the magazine had included in the article and after looking at some of the images of Leon's work I decided to treated myself to an extended lunch break (I'll make up the hours... honest) to visit the exhibition.
All the work have drawn with strong/ energetic linear marks, which helps to intensify the sense of perspective in some of the drawings (e.g., Willesden Junction (1962)) and in others adding to the feeling of busy urban life (View of Ridley Road street market (1975)). All drawings and paintings used a limited colours palette, the drawings mostly done in charcoal with the addition of no more than two or three pastel colours, helping to define the sky, foliage on trees and in the Arnold Circus series the red brick work of the buildings (quick look on Google street view to make sure I was happy with the choice of red).
In all drawings the limited palette in keeping with the subject matter of the London city landscape, but for me his drawing are about the marks rather than the colours. The paper crowded with confidently applied marks that all appear to be trying to grab your attention with very view areas of quite (e.g.,wall above entrance of station in The Flower Stall, Embankment Station 1994)... I am sure this helps replicate the feeling of a being in a busy place, stuck in the hustle and bustle of city centre.
No comments:
Post a Comment