Stella I was introduced to George Gissing’s novel The Nether World during my M.A. I had never read Gissing before so wasn’t sure what to expect and was completely charmed by the unexpected heroine of the piece Pennyloaf (Penelope) Candy. Pennyloaf is a poor needle woman who lives in Shooters’Gardens,( one of the worst slums in … Read more
Following on from yesterday’s post here is another painting by John Byam Shaw illustrating a different sonnet by Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s entitled Silent Noon. I love this image by Byam Shaw and I can’t help but feel that he is one of the most intuitive interpreters of Rossetti’s poetry. He seems to feel Rossetti’s meaning … Read more
The sonnet Love’s Baubles by Dante Gabriel Rossetti was the inspiration for the below image painted by John Byam Liston Shaw in 1897. The sonnet is an excerpt from Rossetti’s House of Life sequence published in the First Trial Book in 1869 and then as a single volume in 1870. Byam Shaw was multi-talented and … Read more
Wightwick Manor is a gorgeous place and one that I have been meaning to visit for a long time. It was worth the wait! The interior is a feast for the eyes: William Morris furniture, De Morgan ceramics, plasterwork -the ceilings are amazing and during a visitor lull one of the very kind room attendants … Read more
I have to be honest, I have never been a huge fan of William Holman Hunt’s work. I admire his technical ability and marvel at his use of colours, but for me there is something missing. A couple of months ago in a seminar discussion of Hunt’s work one of my fellow students … Read more
The world moves at such an incredible pace that it is easy to forget how joyful taking your time over something can be, whether its eating, walking or simply just being. About a month ago I started reading possession by A.S Byatt and rather than read it voraciously over a couple of days I decided … Read more
Sculpture seems to be having a well deserved moment in the sun within the media at the moment, I hope the interest will be sustained. We seem to give less attention to Sculpture than to paintings, just visiting any art gallery confirms this. I am interested in how people conduct themselves within the gallery space … Read more
From the soporific cadence of its opening line, ‘The Card-Dealer’ by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), unfolds its narrative in languid seduction. With masterly skill, the poem transports the reader to a heady non-corporeal plane; the space between the gossamer veil of life and death. The poem was inspired by a painting by the symbolist artist … Read more
‘New Fiction’ is the current exhibition of Martin Greenland’s work at the Cornerstone Gallery at Liverpool Hope University. Consisting of approximately 20 works the exhibition marks a triumphant return to Liverpool for Greenland following his success in 2006 when he won the John Moores painting prize for his work Before Vermeer’s Clouds. A statement for … Read more
Ready Steady Folk! In conversation with Steve Hardstaff, Artist, Designer & Performer Click here to watch part 2a: Ready Steady Folk! Part 2a Filmed and presented by Stella-Louise Halliwell With thanks to Steve Hardstaff, The Bolton Archive, The Working Class Movement Library, Jim Moray, Topic Records, Anthony Doherty & Guy Kilgallen Please note that every … Read more