Myself and some friends had a day out in Oxford on Friday, the aim was to visit the Pitt Rivers Museum which I came across in some literature I was researching for my dissertation some years ago. It's a collection of objects, all jostling for space in crammed cases, a veritable visual feast. Needless to say I took copious photos and have so many creative ideas I could live a hundred lifetimes and still not explore them all. I would have loved to take this buddha home with me.
Next we went on the Ashmolean Museum, via the Natural History Museum - worth a mention but not really my thing. The Ashmolean would have blown my socks off if I had been wearing them. I was close to tears of joy at turns, the sheer variety of works that I just didn't expect. I absolutely adore minoan pottery, the shapes, the decoration. What I wouldn't give to go back in time and chat around the kiln with some of those potters. My degree was in Ceramics and it just brought it flooding back.
The surprise of the day was the room of Italian art which for me was the highlight. I don't know much about it but I know what I like and I adored this piece by Bicci de Lorenzo, notice the fleeing mermaid, symbolising evil, (poor mermaids) as St Nicolas saves the ship.
These railings just stopped me in my tracks, I just love, love, love the colours and textures.
And finally sound advice, but unfortunately to shop was closed but I'll remember it for next time :)
Myself and some friends had a day out in Oxford on Friday, the aim was to visit the Pitt Rivers Museum which I came across in some literature I was researching for my dissertation some years ago. It's a collection of objects, all jostling for space in crammed cases, a veritable visual feast. Needless to say I took copious photos and have so many creative ideas I could live a hundred lifetimes and still not explore them all. I would have loved to take this buddha home with me.
Next we went on the Ashmolean Museum, via the Natural History Museum - worth a mention but not really my thing. The Ashmolean would have blown my socks off if I had been wearing them. I was close to tears of joy at turns, the sheer variety of works that I just didn't expect. I absolutely adore minoan pottery, the shapes, the decoration. What I wouldn't give to go back in time and chat around the kiln with some of those potters. My degree was in Ceramics and it just brought it flooding back.
The surprise of the day was the room of Italian art which for me was the highlight. I don't know much about it but I know what I like and I adored this piece by Bicci de Lorenzo, notice the fleeing mermaid, symbolising evil, (poor mermaids) as St Nicolas saves the ship.
These railings just stopped me in my tracks, I just love, love, love the colours and textures.
And finally sound advice, but unfortunately to shop was closed but I'll remember it for next time :)
