Hello
Welcome to the final Wednesday Wishes of 2023. What a year it has been. It started with Yayoi Kusama at Harrods and later in the year in Manchester. Inside galleries the first stand out exhibition of 2023 was Spain and Hispanic Art at the Royal Academy, on the way I discover Hilma af Klint at Tate Modern and Pesellino at the National Gallery. This year my cultural travels have shown me that there is much more than beaches to both Tunisia and Palma, Mallorca. Vermeer in Amsterdam was amazing, in Antwerp the newly reopened KMSKA joins the ranks of my favourite galleries. In the UK I loved Lumiere in Durham and the new Faith Museum in Bishop Aukland.
Now to this week’s wishes. Lumps of coal glisten like jewels at the Painted Hall in Greenwich, portraits take centre stage at Thaddeus Ropac and posters are celebrated at the London Transport Museum. The House of Odysseus by Claire North has been my constant companion on train journeys.
Last week Mr CW and I popped down for a night away at Starcroft Farm Cabins. A full review will follow in the New Year.
Whilst we were there we saw the Illuminated Battle Abbey which was only last weekend and told the story of what William did after he had won THE battle. During daylight hours we visited the Towner at Eastbourne to check out the Turner Prize nominees and decided that we disagreed with the judges. When the sun come out we took a stroll round Bexhill on Sea including a coffee at the modernest marvel that is the De la Warr Pavilion.
If you are still searching for gifts don’t forget to look in museum and gallery gift shops where your purchase will support the running of the museum. Take a look at my guide to London Museum shops.
Or how about not buying stuff but a museum membership that will last all year … I also have a handy guide to London Museum memberships.
Vyki and I have recorded a special Museum Membership edition of The Exhibitonists for you to listen to wherever you find your podcasts.
Thank you for reading this year’s Wednesday Wishes and I’m looking forward to new adventures with you all in 2024.
Happy Culturing
Catherine