Exhibition: Sir Peter Blake / Sandra Blow
Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art, Didsbury - to July 3, 2010.
Rarely do commercial exhibitions of work by established and genre-defining artists open up in the UK outside the capital.
So the arrival of a joint show of work by pop art leading light Sir Peter Blake and late English abstract painter Sandra Blow at Wendy J Levy’s gallery in Didsbury caused something of a stir when it opened last week with a visit from the Art Bus – a converted bus and micro exhibition decorated by Blake and full of pop art prints.
The bus was a one night only event, but the rest of the exhibition remains until July 3 and gallery owner Wendy is keen to encourage browsers and buyers to take in this unique collection.
“This is an extraordinary exhibition and a rare opportunity to see artwork by two of Britain’s most iconic artists,” says Wendy.
“We’re delighted to present this extraordinary exhibition of silkscreen prints.”
Sir Peter Blake is still widely regarded as ‘the godfather of British pop art’.
He remains best known for designing the cover art for The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a collage which featured around 90 cut out people and objects and is reckoned to be one of the most expensive record sleeves ever produced.
It was the first of many for Blake, who also went on to work with Paul Weller, The Who and Band Aid on the Do They Know It’s Christmas? single.
Blake, who continues to work in popular culture and commercial environments, is also recognised as a fine watercolourist and was awarded a CBE and eventually a knighthood for his contribution to art.
Fellow Royal Academician Blow, who died in 2006, is best remembered for paving the way for women – and for the acknowledgement of their work – in the abstract art scene during the 1950s.
“She was one of the leading lights,” says Wendy. “Her works are often on a large scale and consist of abstract collages.
“It is defined by an expressive informality that promotes a natural, organic feeling.
“Sandra Blow stands alone as the earliest and most original woman painter in Britain able to challenge the bar-room macho cult associated with free, informal abstract painting.”
Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art: 17 Warburton Street, Didsbury (open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, 0161 446 4880). Free entry.
Published: Thu, 17 June, 2010
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