National Museums Liverpool Blog - Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Norbulingka, near Dharamsala

Tomorrow, I fly to New Delhi, India... no, not to take part in the Commonwealth Games, but to begin nine week's of fieldwork which, should result in new research relating to Liverpool's Tibet collections. Although, I'm the full time Head of Ethnology here at World Museum, I'm also currently undertaking a part-time PhD at the School of Oriental and Africa Studies (SOAS), University of London and so I'm taking time away from the museum to carry out my PhD fieldwork.

I will spend time working through colonial archives and talking to Tibetan historians in Delhi, Dharamsala and Sikkim to learn more about the Tibetan and Sikkimese men who worked with Sir Charles Bell, a man who collected several hundred objects and photographs when he lived and worked on the Tibetan frontiers with India in the early 20th century.

I'll keep you posted on my progress and you can also catch me during, what we hope will be, a live video link with the Treasure House Theatre, at World Museum on November 11th.

Here's a small taster of what to expect as I make my way across India. This is the Norbulingka, a Tibetan monastery and centre for the teaching and preservation of traditional Tibetan arts, based just outside Dharamsala. I'll be making a visit here as World Museum has in the past commissioned works of art from the centre.

Here's a message from Ian Murphy, curator of maritime history and deputy head of Merseyside Maritime Museum, about why today is a significant day for seafarers.

"Today is World Maritime Day. Every year the United Nation's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) hold this day to focus on the importance of maritime safety, security and the environment. This year is also the IMO's Year of the Seafarer when the organisation pays tribute to the vital role they play in today's global economy.

The year has been an opportunity to promote training and welfare as well as encouraging a new generation of seafarers through the 'Go To Sea!' campaign. You can find out more on the International Maritime Organisation website."

Olwen McLaughlin, Editions Gallery, Liverpool, Louise Hesketh (Halton) and Chris Kerfoot (National Museums Liverpool) selecting works at the Wirral Spring exhibition, Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead

While the Biennial attract artists from all over the world to exhibit in Liverpool, the next exhibition to open at the National Conservation Centre on Friday, Art Merseywide, gives talented local artists the opportunity to show their work. With artworks selected from open exhibitions held in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral over the last year, Art Merseywide gives what exhibition organiser Louise Hesketh, of the Brindley Theatre and Arts Centre in Runcorn, describes as "a candid snapshot of the thriving local art scene".

Colin Simpson from the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum in Birkenhead describes what the exhibition selectors are looking for when they choose the work for display. You can see more photos of the selection team at work on Flickr. 

"Selecting for an exhibition like Art Merseywide gives an opportunity to express preferences and allow work to shine in a new context.

Every work will look different depending on the company it's seen in. Here we had the chance to slice off some of the most interesting work - notions of 'best' are always difficult - and allow it to be seen again because it is worth re-viewing.

The selectors all have slightly different perspectives but are only out to seek that work we feel is worth a second look, regardless of the background or training of the artist, most of whom we do not know.

The idea of an open exhibition is to encourage those people to come forward who do not have the background in art but are willing to have a go. Many need to realise their reasons for doing the work in the first place, which is for their own satisfaction, and not expect it to be loved by everyone impartial.

However there is always a handful that have been able to realise something intangible that allows them to rise above the rest and those discoveries are what we are all looking for. They are few and far between."

The artwork by Mark Wallinger

Leading on from the video piece by David Shrigley in support of the Save The Arts campaign, a new work by Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger was released today. This work is part of a campaign supported by over 100 leading British artists against the government’s proposed funding cuts of the arts.

Mark Wallinger’s work shows a copy of Turner’s masterpiece, 'The Fighting Temeraire' (1839) by Joseph Mallord William Turner, in the collection of the National Gallery in London. A slash in the painting carries a notice "25% cut" and underneath the work a caption reads: "If 25% were slashed from arts funding the loss would be immeasurable."

Turner referred to The Fighting Temeraire as "his darling", refusing to ever sell it until he finally donated it to the National Gallery. When the nation was asked by the BBC to nominate the greatest painting on show in the UK's museums and galleries it came first with 25% of the votes.

The title of Mark Wallinger’s new work is 'Reckless'. He explains: "I describe the cuts as a reckless adventure. In fact temeraire means reckless in French and by removing the obsolete ship from the scene I am rendering the painting wreckless."

Each week the work of a different artist, created in response to the campaign, will be released. Look out for the next one on this blog. If you would like to support the Save The Arts campaign, visit their website here.

We have several works by Turner in our collections and we also have a petition against potential cuts. Over 15,000 people have already signed. Please support us and add your name to our online petition here.

Curator Charlotte Stead with the Walters painting at the Beacon

Ian Murphy, curator of maritime history and deputy head of Merseyside Maritime Museum, has been to see a familiar face and painting in Whitehaven:

Whitehaven and Liverpool had a similar rise to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries and there were close links between the two ports. For instance, the Brocklebank family were central to both towns, building ships in Whitehaven that sailed from Liverpool, and there were regular passenger services between the ports. It was natural therefore for Walters - a Liverpool based artist - to paint the busy Cumbrian port.

The exhibition was organised by Charlotte Stead, the Beacon's curator who is another link between Liverpool and Whitehaven, having previously been part of National Museum Liverpool's maritime history department. The exhibition has finished now, but the painting will move to the Beacon's permanent maritime galleries where it will be on display for the next two years.

The award winning Beacon is a fantastic venue and well worth a visit, with four floors of fascinating exhibitions covering Whitehaven's history. It's right next to the harbour and hosts a busy calendar of exhibitions and events; you can find more details on the Beacon's website."

'PS Victory' by Samuel Walters

I hope that one day we can have a paddle steamer back on the Mersey giving regular rides over to the Wirral.

I believe the last paddle steamers in regular use on the river were the ferries to Eastham, which closed in the 1930s. However the landing stage and ticket office are still at Eastham in wooded surroundings hardly changed for more than a century. 

The ferry ride would be a major attraction, giving wonderful views over the Mersey at its widest point. We still have the capacity to manufacture such a boat locally.

The first form of mechanical propulsion on ships was the paddle wheel – it marked the start of the switch from sail to steam which transformed sea travel. Most paddle steamers were sidewheelers with paddles on port and starboard although some had single wheels in the stern. The advent of screw propulsion using propellers saw the end of paddle steamers on the high seas although they continued for many years as ferries and river boats.

Paddle wheels were largely built of steel with numerous paddle blades called floats or buckets – the idea may have originally come from waterwheels in ancient times. The first paddle boat is believed to have been an experimental craft in Roman times which used ox power. The Chinese constructed many man-powered working paddle vessels from around 420 AD up to about a century ago.

The first paddle steamer to be built was the Pyroscaphe, constructed by French aristocrat Claude de Jouffroy in 1783. She chugged along the River Saône for 15 minutes before the engine failed before disappearing into history in the run-up to the French Revolution.

The Charlotte Dundas was the first commercial paddle-steamer, hauling two 70-ton barges along the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland for six hours in 1802.

The first commercial success was Robert Fulton’s famous paddle steamer Clermont in New York (1807). In 1838 the Sirius became the first ship to cross the Atlantic using steam power alone. Sirius is featured in a painting at Merseyside Maritime Museum. Another shows the paddle steamer Victory, painted by renowned marine artist Samuel Walters (pictured).

Victory was built in Liverpool in 1832 for the St George Steam Packet Co of Cork. She was one of several paddle steamers operating between English and Irish ports. A flag on the foremast, featuring a horse, indicates she is carrying mail for the Post Office. Victory is depicted in heavy seas off the Irish coast with passengers in brightly-coloured clothing on deck.

A new Maritime Tale by Stephen Guy appears every Saturday in the Liverpool Echo. A paperback – Mersey Maritime Tales (£3.99) – is available from the museum, newsagents, bookshops or from the Mersey Shop website (£1 p&p UK).

The winner of the £25,000 prize!

The announcement of the winner of John Moores 2010 was made last night by acclaimed painter and competition judge, Alison Watt to a rapturous response by the private view audience and the press. Described by fellow judge, Sir Norman Rosenthal, as the 'Oscar of the British painting world' the John Moores Painting Prize was awarded to Keith Coventry for his painting 'Spectrum Jesus'. This haunting portrait in shades of dark blue invites you to get up close so you can peer into its dark depths!

I spoke to Keith and asked him about his inspiration for this painting and also about how he thinks the medium of paint fits into today's contemporary art world. If you want to find out his thoughts, then come back soon to our video page to watch the video interview!

We also shared the event with the world via a live video webcast on our website. As I mentioned in a previous post, this is the first time this has been done in the competition's 53 year history. Thanks to everyone who tuned in to watch - all 395 of you! We also got you all talking on Twitter, with lots of comments using our #JM2010 hashtage - you can read them here.

You can read about all the artists in the exhibition in our online catalogue or buy a copy of the exhibition catalogue, which has loads more exclusive commentary from the jury.

The exhibition opens tomorrow at the Walker Art Gallery and it's well worth coming along to see the winning painting in the flesh as small images don't really do it justice!

Andrew Lloyd Webber visited the Lady Lever Art Gallery and the Walker this week in pursuit of his passion for Victorian art. The man who brought us Evita, The Phantom of the Opera and a host of other hit shows that have filled theatres for decades, first called into Port Sunlight with the TV crew.

Art collector Andrew focused on The Scapegoat by Holman Hunt for the cameras and also paused by The Tree of Forgiveness by Burne-Jones. Next morning he was at the Walker where he talked about Lorenzo and Isabella by Millais.

Andrew revealed, “I’ve been to both these wonderful art galleries several times but not recently. It was lovely having the opportunity to look around again.”

The documentary, part of a series called A Passion for Pre-Raphaelite Art, is scheduled for screening on ITV 1 in February or March next year.

He's not the only theatrical star to have complimented the galleries in recent time. Last week Liverpool Empire panto star Les Dennis commented on the Walker's, 'most eclectic and brilliant collection of art' in the Liverpool Echo.

Fabulous darlings!

Peter McDonald was the last winner. Who will be in the limelight this year?

It's official: I'm giddy with excitement as tomorrow I will be part of making history!

For the first time in its 53 year history, the announcement of the winner of the John Moores Painting Prize will be broadcast live on the internet. It means that this usually exclusive event will be open to all - so why not throw your own private view at home, just add friends and canapés! 

I'll be there with my laptop making sure it is broadcasting for you on time, so see if you can spot our judges Alison Watt, Gary Hume, Goshka Macuga, Ged Quinn and Sir Norman Rosenthal as they attend this exciting opening event.

Just visit our website www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/johnmooreslive at 6.30pm tomorrow (Thursday 16 September) to watch all the action and find out which artist scoops the £25,000 first prize.

You can also follow who is talking about us on Twitter and join in the discussion by using our #JM2010 hashtag. 

Detail of 'For Your Pleasure' by Philip Diggle, one of the 45 shortlisted artists for the John Moores Painting Prize exhibition.

We have a wealth of exciting art on display for you during the Liverpol Biennial from Saturday 18 September - 28 November 2010. Most exhibitions will be on show at the Walker Art Gallery. With everything from full exhibtions of contemporary paintings to individual video installation pieces, you can explore a variety of mediums that make up contemporary art today.

All the following exhibtions and one-off pieces will be on show during the Biennial and some will continue beyond this period:

John Moores Painting Prize exhibition - Now, in its 53rd year the competition boasts a roll call of esteemed winners, including David Hockney and Peter Doig. Almost 3,000 entrants submitted work in the hope of winning the first prize of £25,000. Forty five works are included in the exhibition. More information here.

Wolfgang Tillmans - Look out for Tillmans' stunning photographic interventions around the gallery, showing the Turner Prize winning artist’s very personal response to the Walker Art Gallery’s distinguished permanent collection. More information here.

Marcus Coates: Journey to the Lower World - A unique video artwork featuring residents from a tower block awaiting demolition who watch with a mixture of anxiety, faith and good humour as Coates performs a shamanic ritual. More information here.

The Temple of a Thousand Bells by Laura Belém - Situated at The Oratory in St James' cemetary (not at the Walker Art Gallery), this evocative and poignant artwork features a thousand hand-blown glass bells and polyphonic sounds. More information here.

All exhibitions are free and you can download a Biennial map to explore the rest of the art in the city.