Q&A When did you start singing? Singing began for me in junior school, church choir and continued through grammar school; first as treble until I was 12 when my voice broke to what it is today. Why did you start singing? Why? Because it was always there, at home and at school. I always liked to sing. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? I grew … [Read more...] about Thomas Allen answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
David Hockney
Portrait of David Bowie as the Elephant Man will go on show
A selection of portraits by Pop Artist Derek Boshier will be shown in the UK for the first time at the National Portrait Gallery. Derek Boshier: Imaginary Portraits (28 September 2013 – May 2014) will feature 10 works from the artist’s ‘imaginary portraits’ series, including his oil-on-canvas portrait of David Bowie, which was painted in New York in 1980 while Bowie was … [Read more...] about Portrait of David Bowie as the Elephant Man will go on show
David Hockney turned down the Queen
David Hockney has revealed he turned down a request to paint the Queen because he was "very busy". The 74-year-old told BBC Radio 4's Front Row programme she would make a "terrific subject" but he prefers to paint people he knows. "When I was asked I told them I was very busy painting England actually. Her country," he said. An exhibition showcasing his landscape work is … [Read more...] about David Hockney turned down the Queen
A gay painter, an outraged headmistress, and Billy Elliott’s literary dad: opera and homophobia up north
Lee Hall, the creator of Billy Elliott, has caused a Twitter storm accusing Opera North of being homophobic. He is the librettist of 'Bleached', an exciting project based in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, to create a new community opera as a major part of Opera North’s two-year project with the seaside town. His brief was to think: Benjamin Britten, the seaside, inclusivity and … [Read more...] about A gay painter, an outraged headmistress, and Billy Elliott’s literary dad: opera and homophobia up north
When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.
Debra Craine in today's Times comments on the new collaboration between the National Gallery and the Royal Ballet: The idea of artists and choreographers collaborating isn’t new. Pablo Picasso worked with Léonide Massine and Robert Rauschenberg inspired Trisha Brown; Jasper Johns advised Merce Cunningham; Isamu Noguchi joined forces with Martha Graham; David Hockney designed … [Read more...] about When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.