Tuesday 12 August 2014

MIMA NOT MOMA

 
It might not quite be MOMA (Museum of Modern Art in New York) but MIMA, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, is a fine example of a new gallery, bringing amazing and important modern art to what often seem to be the most neglected corners of our country. This is the latest exhibition at MIMA:
 
 
ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois: A Woman Without Secrets
 
 
Louise Bourgeois, 1911 - 2010, made art of every kind, in many materials and she could be described as the last surrealist. She expressed female emotions and anxieties in her work - hysteria and tensions were not hidden.
 
 
The spider symbolises the Mother for Bourgeois
 
 
The human form also appears in many works, sometimes easily recognisable...
 
 
...sometimes disturbingly distorted.
 
 
I particularly like her delicate pink marble sculptures.
 
 
 
Shades of her influence can be seen in the work of today's young artists, but, for me, there is one question which needs a positive answer before I know if I really rate an artist's work. Would I like to own that piece and look at it every day?
                                                   
 
Oh, yes please Louise!
 
 
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Mima is a beautiful museum and a pleasure to visit, beyond Middlesbrough's bustling shopping malls, across a municipal green space...
 

 

 
Remember the name.
 
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13 comments:

  1. What a wonderful introduction to both MIMA and Louise Bourgeois - definitely will remember the name when I am passing through your area.
    How clever of you, or was it Mr. N? to catch that little girl running behind the lettering in the first photo.

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    1. Mr N took the photo, though we both really enjoy our cameras as, I know, you do.

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  2. Note to self... tomorrow I'm off to Deal... must remember to take my camera... not that I've got a hope in hell of capturing anything like your fabulous photo's... I particularly like the one of you Nilly... a selfie in fuzz. Just love it! What a woman LB is, was... talent with ne'er a care. Tension and troubles worn like a badge of pride.

    LLX

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    1. Hope you had a good time in Deal and I hope you have some new creative plans up your sleeve.

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  3. What an amazingly creative woman. Love that last pic of her. M x

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    1. So do I - I think it was taken near the end of her life when she was in her late 90s.

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  4. Art galleries are wonderful aren't they. No matter where or what you can always find something you love about them.

    Jean x

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    1. So true - the older I get, the more greedy I am for visual feasts. Pinterest is quite satisfying!

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  5. I am like Vintage Jane, I also love the picture of her. Thank you for introducing me to her work.

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    1. The photo is beautiful, it makes me want to give her a cuddle!

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  6. If it were the lovely sculpture of legs becoming a flower, the answer is yes, I would certainly love to be able to touch its smoothness and admire it every day, but that's what places like that are all about isn't it, it isn't hidden away in someone's home, it's there for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for the trip.

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    1. Thank you for looking, and I hope more people discover this excellent gallery.

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  7. As always, a pleasure to catch up with your wonderful blog. Lizzie x

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