| Icons and Idols Details | Dates: Icons and Idols Exhibition runs until 24 September Open: Open daily between 10am and听 5pm. Admission: Free Venue: York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW Contact: 01904 687 687 / art.gallery@ymt.org.uk |
Icons and Idols explores the activities of the National Portrait Gallery over the past 25 years. What鈥檚 so special is the way in which the gallery chooses its paintings, for example, current popularity is not enough, there needs to be some likelihood that the individual and their achievements will be of enduring interest. In this sense, I suppose Prince Charles, is of some worthy note. He is my personal favourite here. Not only does the painting bring to life his character, but the painter who took on this job, has produced something a little different and daring. The superb painting shows the Prince sat casually on his chair wearing clothes for playing polo. Behind him is a huge fence with the British flag rearing from above his head. Good Attitude
 | | Made of Postcards |
The idea for the painting came in 1979 and Bryan Organ, the creator, was in defiant mood regarding the reception it would receive at the time saying 鈥淔rankly I don鈥檛 give a damn if the public like it or not.鈥 Now that鈥檚 the attitude they should all have. As I drag myself away from the splendour of Prince Charles I come across more family in the shape of the Queen Mother. Surrounding her are characters such as composer Thomas Ades and thespian Sir Alan Ayckbourn. The most strikingly original portrait that fronts all the leaflets and advertisement billboards is David Mach鈥檚 postcard and photograph collage of Sir Richard Branson. Here the artist has tried to portray Branson as an admirable figure in all his glory. The artist has made a name for himself in the past with witty and inventive use of unusual materials. This is by no means an exception. Postcard Haven
 | | A little on the white side |
This is the closest David believes he will ever get to painting. His technique is to first photograph his subjects before distorting and then enlarging the image inlaying it with postcards. Yes, it does sound wacky, but by God, the result is fantastic. The larger-than-life head of the man is formed from numerous postcards of the gallery鈥檚 self portrait by Dame Laura Knight. The great thing about this exhibition is that there are so many differing styles of portrait on offer. Along the way you will see Margaret Thatcher, Sir Paul Smith and Steven Hawking working out mathematical equations. However the most significant portrait here in terms of interest, is York-born actress Dame Judi Dench. The oil on canvas painting by Alessandro Raho portrays the actress as an angelic, almost heavenly figure, with its all white background. The painter, trained at Goldsmith鈥檚, tried to trap something he saw in her while she waited in a foyer unaware. Here the painterly qualities such as the delicate brush and soft tonal effects shine through. Active Engagement
 | | Alan Bennett ponders life |
What the exhibition does is raise debate over who deserves to be in the gallery and is a subject of active engagement for visitors. It champions the best of British figurative painting and at the very least; the gallery鈥檚 commissioned portraits form the backbone of the contemporary displays. So indulge in creative art, get your thinking head on and just stand in awe at how a postcard can be used to great effect. Don't miss this exhibition while it's in York, the only place outside of London to host it! Alex Jackson | 
