Mat Collishaw, Tracey Emin & Paula Rego at The Foundling Museum

Get yourselves down to the Foundling Museum for a unique exhibition from three contemporary art heavy weights; Mat Collishaw, Tracey Emin and Paula Rego.

The Foundling, which charts the history of the Foundling Hospital, London's first home for abandoned children, is an unusal but apt space for this exhibition. Throughout their careers all three artists have explored key themes relating to the museum and its objects; childhood and parenthood, loss and grief, love and exploitation.

Work is festooned around the museum, including the building's facade. For a few pennies more you can get to hear from the artists themselves, as each will be leading their own tour of the exhibition for a few lucky people. Mat Collishaw kicks off the proceedings this Friday - so book fast.

I have just bought my ticket to Emin's tour and talk (I am on a tight budget this month, as otherwise would be tempted to go to all three). I promise a full review to follow then.

The Foundling Tours and Talks:

...WITH MAT COLLISHAW
Friday 19 February, 6pm - 9pm
Artist's tour £10 (includes a drink), admission only £5.

...WITH TRACEY EMIN
Friday 19 March, 6pm - 9pm
Artist's tour £10 (includes a drink), admission only £5.

...WITH PAULA REGO
Friday 16 April, 6pm - 9pm
Artist's tour £10 (includes a drink), admission only £5.

http://www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/exhibit_temp.php

Image: Foundlings and Fledglings- Our Angels of this Earth, 2009, neon, by Tracey Emin, courtesy of the artist and White Cube

A county fair and a bit of history

The KX County Fair was lots of fun...
on a day when the rain stayed away and the sun shone. I took my 21 year old cousin along, who was less interested unfortunately - although she was temporarily distracted by a delicious cream puff from the Chinese food stall. We were also both very impressed with the Coram Fields' goat, who was quite undisturbed by the variety of bands and MCs on the nearby sound system.

Last night I was back in the same area, visiting the new exhibition at the Foundling Museum. The museum commemorates the first hospital established for abandoned children. Foundling Lives. The exhibition explores the lives of children who were cared for by the hospital over several generations. To make the exhibition all the more personal, I met a very interesting gentleman called Ted who was a foundling graduate himself. His story, and those of the other children exhibited on the walls, illustrated how attitudes to child welfare have changed over time. I'd recommend a trip down to the Foundling - it was also London's first public art gallery, and offers a wealth of British art including Hogarth, Gainsborough and Reynolds, as well as a fascinating insight into Britain's social history.