Margate

We had a fascinating day trip to Margate today with a group from the V&A's Director's Circle. Almost all artists love the V&A which means that we get access to studios not normally open to the public.  We expected to get TKE's studio manager, but the Dame herself turned up.  I may not much like her art but she's a fascinating lady, a mesmerising speaker, serious and thoughtful.  She was talking about how she nearly died a few years' ago and on her "deathbed" thought about what change she would make to the world if she survived.  As soon as she started to recover, she moved back to Margate (her home town), bought a studio for herself, and a large derelict building turning it into an art school attached to artists' studios.  We spent a couple of hours there talking to all the talented young artists who are benefitting.  She also said that she sometimes get stale and takes time off.  At the moment she is putting her energies into renovating her home, including painting the lamp shades, one of which she has in her hand.  Every artist we met in Margate sang her praises for what she has done for the town.

A complete contrast was Ann Carrington who makes sculptures out of discarded items such as old cutlery.  Her bouquets of "flowers" made out of spoons and forks have to be seen to be believed, and is collected by royalty, film stars and museums around the world.  No inner angst, like Tracey, but stunning imagination and facility with making things.

We also spent time in Turner Contemporary where there is an absorbing exhibition by an Armenian/Egyptian artist, Anna Boghiguian.

When we got home, the nearly full moon passed behind the dome of St Paul's Cathedral like a halo (extra).