Sergei Chepik retrospective.

Plios, 1985

I had an incredibly fun evening last night at an exhibition that I urge you to see.  Sergei Chepik is one of modern Russia's finest painters and, three years after his death, this retrospective is a wonderful way to see a large portion of his work in one place.  The show is free and the gallery space is gorgeous.

His inspirations are disparate; from his love for Paris (he became a French citizen for the last few decades of his life) to circus scenes, landscape and the way we see dreams.  His series on the Pont Neuf were perhaps my highlight of the show, twisted city scapes in vibrant colour, though I also found myself going back repeatedly to 'Plios' (right) as something in the the colours and tranquility of this early work hit a chord.

Often he would insert himself into his paintings, the way he depicts himself in scenes from the nightmarish to the everyday is fascinating. 

Self portrait with Petrushka, 1989

Some works left me conflicted, 'Dream of Kings' (below) was a perspective on our British Royal family that was at once sympathetic and deeply critical.  Whether it was raising the point that the weight of the crown must weigh doubly on the heads of the royals, or a comment on the excessive and dangerous nature of such power imbued in one family is left to the viewer.  

The Angel of Notre Dame, 2008

The exhibition, taking place from this evening at the Mall Galleries (http://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/)   is being run by the Catto Gallery (http://www.cattogallery.co.uk/), a rather fantastic gallery in Hampstead with whom we may soon be collaborating. It runs until the 13th of February, so if you find yourself in central London then do pop in and let us know your thoughts and favourites.

The show is curated in broadly chronological fashion, and it is wonderful to see the evolution of an artist that is so hard to categorise into any particular school.  

Fascinating evening, one aided no doubt by great company, champagne and canapes - though very naughty of me to drink on a 'school night'...

Let there be light, 1997

Dream of Kings, 2003

The Great British Chefs Dinner, in support of Childline

Here at Marshall Murray we love giving support to great causes.  If these causes also come with world-class food from the best of British cuisine then this is just an added bonus...

At the end of last year I was invited to the Great British Chef's Dinner, in support of Childline, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people, provided by the NSPCC

You can learn more about their valuable work in the link below:

Find out more about ChildLine

The format of the evening was an auction running concurrently with a four course meal by some truly remarkable British chefs.  Paul Foster, Matthew Tomkinson, Michael Smith and Josh Eggleton, each award-winners in their own right, took on a course that used exclusively British ingredients to create one of the finest meals this humble writer can recall.

We were asked earlier in 2013 whether we might show our support of their work with a donation of an auction lot, which we were very happy to offer. 

Paul Foster's poached duck, brussels sprouts, apple & buckwheat

Guests were (both sensibly and gratefully) plied with champagne and perfectly-matched wines throughout the evening, while tablet devices were placed conveniently close by on each table via which one could place bids on the various lots.  The highest bidder's were update in real time which introduced a really fun element of competition to proceedings.  These two factors conspired to compel me into purchasing a gym membership

that is statistically unlikely to see me blossom into the lean, tanned and rippling man I imagine such memberships inevitably lead to.  However, it is a great charity to support and, who knows, maybe this time I'll be more diligent?

The evening raised over £120,000 for Childline, which I think is an incredible effort by all those involved and something we shall certainly continue to support.

Matthew Tomkinson's Spiced diver-caught scallops

If you would like to do likewise then you can learn more about their great projects, make charitable donations or put forward charity lots from your own company for future events via their website at:

http://www.nspcc.org.uk

Yours,

Oliver - Director.

Michael Smith's Highland Red Deer Saddle & Haunch, Crowdie, Mulled Blackberries & Gingerbread

Josh Eggleton's Hazelnut cake, with caramel sesame mousse and malt ice cream

Our week at Hampton

Children take on Hampton Court Flower Show.

"Child prodigy is a curse because you've got all those terrible possibilities" 

- Itzhak Perlman

They say that it's a sad day when a father realises that his children are faster/ stronger/ smarter than they are.  I wholeheartedly disagree.  Fully cognisant as I am of my own limitations, I think it's fantastic when the next generation show signs of progressing past my own (if you ever need to understand how a mobile phone works just give it to a 10 year old).

At Marshall Murray one of our stated aims is to bring on and nurture the future of British artists and designers.  We shall be running exhibitions of fresh talent at various upcoming exhibitions, running competitions to gain entry to some of the country's most respected shows and helping artists and artisans to find studio space and a platform through our collaboration with Riverhill Gardens.  Well, here's a really fun example of what kids can do if given a voice.

Max's beautiful layout and simple design

We recently set a challenge to the design department at Trinity School (www.trinity-school.org/) to design one of our six mini-gardens at the Hampton Court Flower Show.  The students were given some examples of the sculpture that we would be showing, and the brief was to create a 2x2m space with their chosen piece and then dressed how they saw fit.

The responses were simply genius.

Some went for simple elegance, Max Finch used box hedging and water to create a tranquil space in which to recline on a contemporary wicker chaise seat by Spencer Jenkins - his slides were presented beautifully and I could readily see the design at an RHS show. 

Others went for abstraction and impact.  William Perry created perhaps my favourite individual slide, describing his garden thus:

"In my garden I have built a viewing point, installed a vending machine and put in some roses"

This line is brilliant, as is the supporting image showing the roses laying on the floor by the Coke machine, reminiscent of 1980s rock videos while making a point about consumerism in design.  Loved it.

Julian Wild's "Totem", picked by Luke

Luke Yeulett created a garden on several levels, formal and geometric.

Water and simple planting accent the grass ledges.  This would have worked really well with the industrial artwork by Julian Wild.  The school have plans to build this design in miniature, which I'm really looking forward to seeing.  Amazing facilities at that school, I was impressed with my DT's department having a bandsaw - this lot have 3D printers and access to some amazing bits of kits.

The winning entry was from Euan Baird, who detailed a simple rosemary hedge that would compliment the tones of the stone wonderfully, plus an interesting take on a viewing platform to see the marble piece (by Paul VanStone) from various heights.

Congratulations to Euan, he has won two tickets to Hampton Court, plus a signed book and entry to our sculpture garden at Riverhill House.

Special mention also goes to Josh Kenny, his planting plan and mood board were excellent examples.

If this project is anything to go by then the future of British design is in good hands.  I sincerely hope that all of the entrants enjoyed the challenge and continue to put time into designing beautiful things - watch this space!

Euan's chosen sculpture in Iranian onyx

 

Josh Kenny's elegant planting design.

We are also doing a similar exercise with a primary school in Frant - they have been set the challenge of replicating any of our artworks in any material they so choose.  The results will doubtless be equal part inspiring and adorable, so watch this space!

Yours,

Marshall Murray

Our first season at Riverhill House

Well, our sculpture garden is now in full swing.  There are around 40 of the final 50 due in for the first season, the bluebells are in full bloom and it's all looking rather wonderful.

Riverhill House is an amazing estate, there are more details on an earlier blog about the collaboration (http://marshallmurray.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/escape-to-country.html).  Right now both the bluebells are and the rhododendrons are out in force.  Couldn't ask for a more perfect setting for some gorgeous contemporary art.

There are lots of events planned for this season, from evenings with notable sculptors to those in which you can take part in the creation of art under the guidance of some of Britain's finest sculptors.

The gardens are open much of the week, for details you can see their opening times here.

Sculpture maps and guides are available at the ticket kiosk, there is a wonderful coffee shop and cafe.  It is also a fantastic place for the family, with children's events and safe play areas throughout the grounds.

To see a short video of the gardens, as well as some of our pieces, please see the following video:

To find out more, be put on our mailing list for art events or to arrange a guided tour, please contact us on enquiries@marshallmurray.co.uk.

Thanks, and the very best from us all at Marshal Murray,

Regards,

Oliver

Oliver Hawkins - Director

The Chelsea Centenary