more than a colour-fix
The Howard Hodgkin retrospective at Tate Britain isn't a busy exhibition, which is excellent because viewers and paintings alike require space. I went one morning as the gallery opened and managed to go round the virtually empty rooms twice. First to look, then to understand.
I have loved HH's work for years. Once I made the journey from Brussels to London for the day just to see his 1996 exhibition at the Hayward Gallery. All the colour, swirls, lines, dots, brush strokes and splodges entrance me. He is the only abstract artist I can say I begin to understand. I can see the optical effects of Bridget Riley and swoon at Mark Rothko's canvases, but I could never claim to understand them.
But HH's work is so emotive, primal and outrageous that I can attempt discern the feelings and memories he is trying to evoke. Not all the time, mind, because some of the paintings at the Tate come across as facile and pretentious (and that's not even mentioning the novelistic titles which I can't always read with a straight face). But when faced with a great HH, you just know it's great.
'Alpine Snow' 1997
Like the one above which is my favourite 'new' painting, and the one below which I think is one of his masterpieces.
'Rain' 1984-89
I have read a few books and many articles on HH, but there is little in the books shown here (and on my sidebar) to elucidate and explain his true artistic impulse. They tend to concentrate in overblown, purple prose ('visceral' is an over-used word) on the enigmatic HH himself, and not on his passionate paintings.
By sheer coincidence, I was reading A Wreath of Roses (1949) by Elizabeth Taylor as I travelled into London. In this novel, she explores the character of a painter, and manages to articulate better than any art critic the fundamental nature of a true artist. Her writing acted as a perfect medium through which to look at the HH paintings, for even though Elizabeth Taylor writes about a figurative artist, this character suddenly embraces abstract art at the end of her life and it all makes sense, both in the novel and in the exhibition.
When it comes to understanding artists, the best book I have ever read on the subject is The Unknown Matisse (1998) by Hilary Spurling. Unlike the spare, lucid prose of ET, this is a massive, fact-filled biography, but it contains a masterly portrait of the artist at work and reading it a few years ago opened up my understanding of all art and artists.
But I know there's so much more yet to apprehend that I'll have to go back the HH exhibition, even if it's only for an almighty colour-fix.
I went to see HH in the IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art)a few months ago. Alpine Snow was far and away my favourite. I couldn't find a pic on the net at the time to show it on my blog. Delighted to see it again courtesy of yours!
Posted by: Sharon in Ireland | June 28, 2006 at 05:10 PM
Very interesting. And how interesting that the HH Paintings cover and the ET cover look similar, too. . . .
Posted by: Alicia P. | June 28, 2006 at 05:15 PM
I hadn't heard of this artist before and thank you for introducing us.
Posted by: Kelli | June 28, 2006 at 05:55 PM
I forwarded this post to my husband because he is currently reading the Spurling book on Matisse. He now understands why I am such a big fan of yours.
Posted by: monica | June 28, 2006 at 06:23 PM
Hi! It's my first time here. really enjoyed this colorful space .
I did't know Howard's work, it really touched me... i'm from Brasil and also try to express myself through colors.
nice meeting your blog.
i'll be back soon to take a look at your reflexions and interesting hints.
Posted by: Vânia | June 29, 2006 at 04:08 AM
I love HH, but agree with you about some of the titles being a little off-putting.
You didn't miss anything at Liberty, the selction is very poor, apart from in fabrics. I bought some jersey printed with carousel horses, only to find the have little nameplates, and one is called Phoebe.
Posted by: claire | June 29, 2006 at 07:37 AM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/5083982.stm#howard
The exhibition was discussed on Newsnight Review a couple of weeks ago. Paul Morley was very enthusiastic and 'got it' but John Harris likened it to the daubing of a three year old which made for an entertaining 'discussion'!
Posted by: Anita | June 29, 2006 at 10:55 AM
It's been a long time since I commented (but I am here everyday). Today, I want to thank you for your posts, and for being so incredibly talented for writing about everything I love. Art, books, knit and quilt, colours, flowers...
I am addicted to your blog. It's like precious food for my soul and thought.
Thank you Jane for being you, and taking all this time to blog all those wonderful things just for me! (and thousands of others)
Posted by: filambulle | June 29, 2006 at 11:23 AM
Oh I've just started the Matisse book. It's wonderful. Of course I started it because of all the stuff about FABRIC. Perhaps I'll be educated in spite of myself! xox Kay
Posted by: Kay | July 06, 2006 at 10:58 PM
Excellent interview with Howard H here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/johntusainterview/hodgkin_transcript.shtml
Posted by: Elaine | March 19, 2008 at 08:16 PM
The opening photographs were breathtaking, and hydrangeas are among my most favorite flowers. I can appreciate your viewpoint on Art my life has been permeated with is as my Uncle is a renown water color artist (he can be goggled - Manabu Saito), his paintings have always been a part of my life, also living in Southern California has its perks, there are several fine museums to visit and seldom does our weather get in the way.
Posted by: Jean | July 20, 2008 at 07:54 PM