RB Kitaj, ‘Synchrony with F.B. – General of Hot Desire’ 1968-69 (Piano Nobile)
When it comes to art, Britain is one of the most open countries in the world. Isn’t it? We’ve been welcoming in “foreign masters” since the Middle Ages, from Holbein to Canaletto and Whistler. The 20th century saw a massive influx of creative immigrants, not least the Windrush generation, who, after facing much prejudice, are now acknowledged as having made a huge contribution to British art.
Yet, a fascinating exhibition at London’s Piano Nobile gallery highlights what can happen to the brilliant incomer who makes an undeniably important contribution to British culture, but is seen as not quite playing the game, as being too clever, and too prickly, by half.
The London-based American painter RB “Ron” Kitaj helped shaped two key British art movements, Pop Art and the School of London, but has been oddly sidelined in accounts of both. Indeed, an extraordinary, infamous media spat in the 1990s came close to wiping out his reputation altogether. It is only now, 15 years after his death, that this important figure is emerging back into the limelight.
News Related-
Taika Waititi reveals Donald Trump’s ‘list of demands’ for Super Bowl advert
-
Paul Rudd shares details of ‘horrible’ restrictive Marvel diet
-
John Travolta reveals he nearly died after his jet suffered ‘total electrical failure’
-
Stephen Colbert suffers ruptured appendix, cancels Late Show
-
‘The HG Wells of football’: How Terry Venables became a cultural icon
-
I’m a Celebrity campmates ‘gutted’ as Grace Dent quits show: ‘She hasn’t let us down’
-
Bobby Brazier’s dad makes emotional statement after Strictly tribute dance for Jade Goody
-
Chris Brown denies being anti-semitic after dancing to new Kanye West track
-
Priest stripped of duties for letting Sabrina Carpenter film music video in church
-
Jean Knight, ‘Mr Big Stuff’ singer, dies aged 80
-
Celebrities, politicians among those named in sex abuse suits filed under NY's Adult Survivors Act
-
Book Review: 'Welcome to The O.C.' serves as a definitive look-back at the 20-year-old Fox drama
-
Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' pulled until next week as host recovers from surgery
-
Book Review: 'Outrageous: A History of Showbiz and the Culture Wars' argues history repeats itself