A fleeting moment is how I'd like to describe the work of Alex Katz. Its as though you are on a moving train, car or boat and your eye catches only fragments of the image, Katz himself said he is "moving away from content" within his work. The vision he has created feels fresh within your mind at the moment of viewing - a positive freshness, one that is of a perfectly memorable colour palette.
In many of his works, there is little detail, so upon seeing the works, you experience a lucid sensation; sweet, almost sickly is the mood which it evoked within me. Off tone colours, slightly unsettling expressions within portraits. There are odd moments of complacency within the exhibition when the colours and vision is seemingly perfect.
Penobscot (1999)
Grey Marine (2000)
Young Tree's (1989)
Eli's Friend (1985)
The exhibition was fresh and contemporary and suited the atmosphere of St Ives well. I always get a bit disappointed about the size of the Tate at St Ives because there is such a rich history of art that I feel should have a permanent home within the gallery, but sadly it isn't big enough to house more than one major exhibition.
St Ives itself is small enough that you can easily wander its winding streets within an hour or so. The weather was inclement and the smattering rain was a beautiful hazy backdrop for the mysterious village.
The Rotunda at Tate St Ives.
Reflection in the window absolutely fascinating - like a moving canvas.
Tate Cafe, beautifully spacious and naturally lit for huge windows and skylights.
