Arts news

Paule Vézelay was a marvel, but not the first British abstract artist | Letters

29-12-2024 18:23

Dr Mark Stocker on the British abstract artists who came before Vézelay, and her former neighbour Charles Jackson recalls visiting her home in LondonIt’s great to see Paule Vézelay being given overdue recognition in a solo exhibition, but neither she nor her obscure friend Marlow Moss was the first British abstract artist (Major show to celebrate UK’s forgotten female trailblazer of abstract art, 24 December).Your report implies that it all began with the

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Frank Auerbach remembered by his son Jake

29-12-2024 17:00

29 April 1930 – 11 November 2024
The German-born painter’s love of films, crosswords and a good pub quiz are recalled by his only child, keen to dispel popular ‘myths’ about the artistRead the Observer’s obituaries of 2024 in fullMy father kept things simple. Didn’t learn to drive, couldn’t swim, no bank cards and, until recently, no telephone. He worked 364 days a year until a few years ago, Christmas Day too was sacrificed to “The best game I&rsq

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Somerset House to reveal the restored ‘Salt Stair’ after fire renovations

29-12-2024 11:00

London landmark puts symbol of empire at the centre of a new exhibition exploring colonial taxes on commodityA potent symbol of empire that has been hidden for decades at one of London’s landmarks will be open to the public from February.The restored Salt Stair at Somerset House will be home to an exhibition exploring the pivotal role played by the Salt Office, which collected colonial taxes on the commodity. Continue reading...

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From climate denial to gothic movies to ‘treat culture’ … what to expect in 2025

29-12-2024 06:00

The new US president will almost certainly bring unpredictability but several themes will dominate the year ahead. Observer writers offer their guide on what lies ahead in politics, film, fashion, sport and moreThe only thing that can be predicted with absolute certainty about Donald Trump’s second term as US president is that it will be unpredictable. Trump does not really know what he wants to do on a range of issues. He talks a good game, which is how he got re-elected. But he often see

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