13 September 2011 - Valerie Woodgate
Art in the Victorian age tells us about the life, morality and attitudes of the time: their obsession with sickness and mortality, childhood and love, the ambiguous attitude to women, the plight of the poor, mass emigration, and much more.
11 October 2011 - Leslie Primo
Tahiti and its peoples were romantically depicted by Captain Cook and by a number of artists, including Gauguin and Sir Joshua Reynolds. Gauguin's vibrant evocation of paradise through his paintings and his discoveries in the South Pacific brings this fascinating exploration to its conclusion.
8 November 2011 - Anton Gabszewicz
Nicholas Sprimont and Thomas Frye both left secure professions to become pioneers of this risky venture in the mid-1740s; but had very different approaches to making and selling porcelain. We compare and contrast their products and varied markets. The commercial acumen of these two remarkable entrepreneurs becomes apparent.
[A special interest day follows]
3 December 2011 - Ann Clements
From 15th Century peasants drying their clothes, through 17th Century Frost Fairs on the Thames, to 19th Century skaters in the Bois de Boulogne, we will trace how artists have responded to the challenges of winter. Over 500 years of instructive shivering!
10 January 2012 - Geri Parlby
For centuries Mary Magdalene's unjustifiably poor reputation – courtesy of the Christian Church - has provided inspiration for artists creating sensuous historical paintings; in the 6th Century she was even mislabelled as a reformed prostitute!
14 February 2012 - Catherine Wallace
Newlyn artists Langley, Craft, Forbes and Falmouth's Henry and Tuke's love of sailing illustrate the historical links between art and the Cornish fishing industry.
13 March 2012 - Mary Alexander
Liveried footmen wore 18th Century style breeches at the first 1890's
'art deco' Waldorf-Astoria where J P Morgan and Henry Clay Frick later met to do artistic and financial deals. Many celebrities including Winston Churchill, John Kennedy, Cole Porter, Frank Sinatra, Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes visited the next Waldorf-Astoria which was built in the Depression with Jazz Age interiors created by European designers, artists, and sculptors.
[A special interest day follows]
10 April 2012 - Jane Tapley
Dickens wrote 16 novels, 5 Christmas stories, numerous articles and letters. He was an author, editor, playwright, actor, director, and philanthropist who supported his 10 children, wife, young mistress, parents and siblings in this great industrial age.
8 May 2012 - Rosamund Bartlett
Tchaikovsky perceived Chekhov's genius, and they became personally acquainted. There was mutual admiration; young Chekhov dedicated stories to Tchaikovsky. We examine their lives in late 19th Century Russian culture, and Levitan's landscapes.
9 November 2011 - Anton Gabszewicz
Since 14th Century China, short-lived experiments under the Medici, and discovery of hard paste porcelain at Meissen in early 18th Century, decoration in underglaze blue cobalt has been important. The continued development in the UK and Europe then emphasized differing regional factories, and their own increasingly popular styles. Anton will put porcelain into an international historical context for us. There will also be a "hands-on" session when participants can bring in pieces for his assessment.
14 March 2012 - Mary Alexander
The International 1925 Paris Arts Décoratifs Exhibition, planned since 1911, attracted 15 million visitors. The aim was to introduce Art Deco to artists and designers, thus confirming Paris as the world leader in luxuries. Contemporary photographs of the boutiques reconstruct Baccarat crystal, Cartier jewellery, Poiret couture, Ruhlmann furniture, Dunand lacquerwork, and Brandt metalwork. How did its influence spread? Participants can bring in relevant 'art deco' items for expert discussion.
These are an excellent way to enjoy friends' company in interesting places! In the past year we have been on a walking tour to the lesser known sites of Paris, and a New Year reviver to Birmingham. This year we have enjoyed a summer daytrip to Truro Cathedral and Museum, and another by Dart riverboat to Agatha
Christie's newly restored Greenway with all its treasures. Most eagerly anticipated is the week-long tour in October to Seville and other historic towns in southern Spain.
During 2010 the Church Recording team completed the recording of St Ive Church; and are now compiling the record. Photographs will be taken soon; then we face the challenge of reproducing them digitally to NADFAS's high standards! Those who attended the 'The English Parish Church' SW Study Day saw the St Winnow and Quethiock records we had finished displayed, along with other SW records. Soon we will decide which Church to record next, and welcome any suggestions. New recorders will also be welcome, so do consider coming to see what we do: and how you could help.
The transformation of all the blackened metal in the game larder at Port Eliot into a gleaming copper 'batterie de cuisine' has taken two years. Initially we were mentored by the Cotehele National Trust team, led by house manager, Rachel Hunt. We are extremely grateful for their photographs and data preparation: so aiding our completion of the catalogue. Delighted Lord and Lady St. Germans plan to open the kitchen daily at the end of the current season, to show these exhibits. They have suggested two new and very different projects for us to start next. We look forward to people joining us: the house is a pleasure to work in and the home-made cakes a treat!
Last year no action was taken concerning Young Arts due to financial uncertainties. However, we are pleased to report that a project has now been organised for young local disabled people in an all-day art and craft event on 25th August. We are aiming to repeat this regularly during the summer by liaising with Downderry Coastal Zone, Scope and Plymouth City Council.
Copyright © 2011. Liskeard Decorative and Fine Arts Society. All rights reserved.