Hesistated a bit on going to Tate Britain (because its not 100% contemporary at all times) but ended up seeing two great shows. The restropective on Henry Moore is comprehensive, and I almost like his drawings recording the war period more than his sculptures.I have seen Chris Ofili's work in Saatchi Gallery many years ago. The Virgin Mary pussy/cow dung work obviously memorable (and what causes trouble and backlash from conservative Americans in a MOMA show in NY few years back). His inspiration of using cow dung has came from a scholarship trip to Zibabwee in 1994. I have never seen so many of Ofili's work in one go, and its impressive - in the use of color, the technique, and of course, creative of materials (collage, cow dung, map pins!). The theme evolve around celebration of afro culture, evident from the vibrant colors and iconic and sometimes politically charged images (like the photo of an African kid killed on a London street a few years back).
Beside his signature pieces, I actually love the pencil drawings a lot. The use of little afro hair figures in the painting as outline shows interesting details.
What is compelling in these shows, which of course take a long time to put together, is how institutions like Tate can call in works from all around the world, from different collectors and museums. Power of a leading institution!
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