Art Appreciation

This group is led by David Holdsworth.

1st Tuesdays 2-3.30pm

David will try to arrange that members of the group share their love and experience of art in all its forms. David will be encouraging all members to participate and take turns presenting. He will assist anyone who needs help.
There is more information here

http://settle.ddns.net/temp/AA/index.html



Posted 18/01/2017

At our December meeting we had a look at different depictions of ‘The Three Wise Men’ through the ages and in different media. It was interesting to see how ideas changed and developed.

 

Frank Gordon, in January, gave us a fascinating and erudite view of the ‘Abstract Expressionism’ exhibition held recently at the Royal Academy. He explained the terms used and how the artists worked and developed their themes.

 

In February we look forward to Sue Simpson who will be talking about art in Umbria.


Posted 21/11/2016

Rosie Feather’s talk at the beginning of November on Albrecht Durer was fascinating and extremely well researched. Thank you Rosie.

 

Our December session will have a Christmassy feel with a twist! See you in the Castleberg room at 2pm on Tuesday 6th December. Debi Burridge


Posted 10/10/2016

We had a very good first session with a lively discussion around various exhibitions members had been to over the summer. Our next session on November 1st is a talk ‘The Changing Status of the Artist.


Posted 8/08/2016

I look forward to next 6 sessions of this group. Our first meeting on 4th October will be the usual round up of exhibitions visited by members over the summer. Come with any catalogues, cards and thoughts to join in the discussion. On 1st November will be a talk about Durer by Rosemary Feather. Later Paul Cochrane will give us an insight into an aspect of Art History and Sue Simpson will tell us about her trip to Umbria. Frank Gordon will be with us on 3rd Jan to talk about a recent London exhibition he has visited. Debi Burridge


Posted 9/02/2016

We have had two very good presentations recently. Frank Gordon came to talk to us in January about ‘Art, lies and truths – what artists do.’ He showed us how artists change perspective, alter details, add people/buildings to their work to present to the viewer what they want us to see. In February Paul Cochrane gave us a fascinating history of drawing. Artists have always drawn but often the drawings were preparatory work and were hidden by paint or were meant as temporary sketches and didn’t survive. In more recent times people began to value drawings for themselves.

 

Our final session will be Sue Simpson telling us about ‘The most stolen painting in the world.’


Posted 5/12/2015

Our January session will be Frank Gordon ‘Art, Lies and Truth – what artists do’. Do come and see what this intriguingly titled talk will reveal.

 

We had a very interesting talk from Mary Gavagan on our visit to her Settle gallery for our December session. It was good to see the current exhibition and see so many ceramics. The recent visit to the York Art gallery complemented this with its wonderful ceramics display. Several group members have been following the ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ programme with enthusiasm! Debi Burridge.


Posted 16/11/2015

I’ve booked a coach for a trip to the York art gallery on Wednesday 25th November, leaving the cricket club in Settle at 9.30 am, and departing York at 3.00 pm. It will cost £13 for the coach. I haven’t booked a group into the gallery but if 10 or more go in together it will be £5 each instead of £7.30. Art Fund members are free entry.

 

Please let me know if you would like to go with the group.

 

We have had two interesting afternoons already. October was a lively review of the many exhibitions members had visited over the summer. This resulted in some ideas for future meetings. In November we had two presentations. The first about the artist and designer Sonia Delauney (1885-1979) and the second about Owen Jones (1809-1874), architect and designer.

 

Our December session will be at Gavagan Art – the new gallery in the centre of Settlehttp://gavaganart.com. Meet there at 2pm, 1st December, for a talk from the owner Mary Gavagan. There is also an opportunity to pop into the Studio Vault under the Tourist Information Office which is worth a visit to meet the owner and jewellery designer, Emily Knight.


Posted 26/8/2015

Welcome to previous and new members. Our first Session is on Tuesday 6th October at 2 pm in the Castleberg room, Victoria Hall. We will review any exhibitions visited over the summer and plan our programme. Debi Burridge


Posted 7/3/2015

I have booked a tour of the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester for Wednesday 29th April. I propose to book a coach to leave Settle at 9.30 am, arriving there approximately 11.30 am. There is a cafe at the gallery and a park outside for picnics. Manchester Museum is not too far away. The return would leave 3.30 pm, back here approximately 5.30 pm. Tour (free) lasting 45 minutes begins at 2 pm, cost would be £10-£15. Let me know by Monday 16 March.

Debi Burridge (01729) 825922, debi.burridge@gmail.com


Posted 6/2/2015

We had an excellent group discussion about Abstract art as a follow up to a previous session with everyone bringing in an interesting example from sculpture to painting, even including a garden or two.

 

On March 3rd Sue Simpson is to talk about Percy Kelly, an interesting but little known Cumbrian artist. Do come along to what will be our last session for this year. However I am investigating the possibility of a group visit to the newly refurbished Whitworth Gallery in Manchester, probably after Easter.

Debi


Posted 11/11/2014

Book List:- Recently I mentioned some books that might be interesting, all available from the library but you might need to reserve them. In fact I have one (*) at the moment, but haven’t looked at the others yet.

  • “How to read paintings: a crash course in meaning and method.” Liz Redeal, 2014, W European art.
  • “How to look at a painting.” Francoise Barbe-Gall, 2010. Deciphering pictures.
  • “How to understand a painting:decoding symbols in art.” (*) Francoise Barbe-Gall. This author has written others on the subject directed at particular genres of art.
  • “Art:the definitive visual guide.” Dorking Kindersley 2008. 2500 paintings and sculptures.
  • “How to read a modern painting:understanding and enjoying the modern masters.” Jon Thompson 2006. 200 works.

Debi.


Posted 6/11/2014

We had a very interesting discussion about abstract art on Tuesday. On the whole we decided we might still not entirely understand the concepts behind the art. But perhaps it was easier to appreciate sculpture rather than paintings. Could members please look out for a piece of abstract art they would be willing to say a few words about for the February session?

 

Our next session on Tuesday 2nd December at 2pm will be a visit to see a very eclectic local collection. If you want to come to this can you please let me know so I can confirm numbers and give you more details. Debi Burridge (debi.burridge@gmail.com, Tel: 825922).

 

On Tuesday 6th January Frank Gordon will be coming to talk to us about Turner in the Dales at 2pm in the Castleberg room at the Victoria Hall.


Posted 8/10/2014

The first session was an interesting review of several exhibitions members had visited over the summer, both here in Britain and in Europe – Matisse in London, Art in Yorkshire in Harrogate, Moore and Rodin at Compton Verney, Moses Levy in Viarregio, Mucha in Prague, and two small, local shows in SW France. The future programme was decided -:

  • November – Abstract Art, a brief look, David Holdsworth
  • December – a visit to Roger Moss, a local collector
  • January – Frank Gordon ‘Turner in the Dales’
  • February – Censored Art, a group discussion
  • March – Percy Kelly, a northern artist, Sue Simpson

I am going to see the Grayson Perry tapestries at Temple Newsam on 23rd October and have a spare seat if anyone would like to go. Debi Burridge 825922.


Posted 25/9/2014

The first session on 7th October 2014 will be a review of any exhibitions members have visited over the summer. Please come prepared to share your experiences. Also we will look at topics we might discuss in future sessions. At the moment I have planned a visit to see Roger Moss’s collections and Frank Gordon will be coming to speak to us. Debi Burridge.


The 2012-13 Art Appreciation sessions covered a wide range of topics led mainly by group members.

Sue Simpson’s talk, entitled “Travelling South with Charles Rennie Mackintosh”, was inspired by a painting of hers that was the very view from the window of her house in the south of France. For some of us it was a first look at the body of work he completed in his later years, travelling in France.

 

Debi Burridge introduced us to the wide ranging work of Eric Ravilious, using her collection of books and postcards to illustrate her talk.

 

A DVD, borrowed from National U3A resources, introduced us to American portrait painter Alice Neel, someone none of us had previously heard of.

 

The TV documentary series on the ‘class’ tapestries of Grayson Perry formed the basis of another session, which was much enjoyed.

 

A local artist and Giggleswick resident, Frank Gordon, came and talked entertainingly about his own journey as an artist and how his work has changed over the years.

 

The 2013-14 Art Appreciation sessions will be facilitated by Debi Burridge (01729 823621 or debi.burridge@googlemail.com) and will start on the first Tuesday in October.