Saturday 23 March 2013

Kettle's Yard Cambridge

Very intriguing place. www.kettlesyard.co.uk/  used to owned by a couple in the 1950-70s who turned their home into a Gallery, and when they left bequeathed it to Cambridge under strict instructions not to change anything, tho they do have the occasional extra exhibition.
The ambiance [only word applicable in this case, so tasteful but homely - so I didn't get antsy about wealthy peeps being enabled to enjoy a lifestyle I would love to be able to join, and look down on the plebs] is calm but stimulating. 
Loved the paintings and sculpture, mostly by their friends whom they championed ruthlessly, which also made their collection worth more,  it is such accessible art, and eclectic so I never lost interest, but also because of the thoughtful way it had been arranged, in sympathetic groupings.
 Oh those middle classes, so much time to think, but it is free on entry so they spread it around.  Word has it that Mrs. wasn't so keen on the plebs trudging through her house and eventually they returned to Edinburgh.

Chat by Curator Rosie was interesting, about the history of the place, I'm not as bored as I look.
The top textile piece in this entry was unknown even to Rosie, sadly the situation for so many textile artists.  Mutter.
Loved the simplicity of this portrait, another plus of the place was that there were no labels, quite relaxing not to have a pre-informed opinion, all art was equal [unless one is a connoisseur of  early 20th century art ]   The bird swallowing a fish is so full of energy, yet cool as chips.  Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, killed in 1915, WWI, lots of lively sketches by him too.
Spent a couple of hours there, and loved it!!
next door was the Contemporary Art Annexe - in and out in five minutes.