Culling the arts
At Tate Britain there are two magnificent exhibitions. David Hockney has selected a huge number of his favourite watercolours and oils by JMW Turner, whose work is of breathtaking beauty. I have a small collection of watercolours by the exotically named Hercules Brabazon Brabazon, who sailed the Mediterranean on a steam yacht, and was once known by some as the poor man’s Turner at the turn of the last century. There are definitely echoes of Turner’s work, I like to believe!
Equally a magnificent collection of paintings by the pre-Raphaelite Sir John Millais, with a range of paintings from Highland scenes, to portraits and medieval depictions.
Long after politicians have made their last speech, paintings of this quality live on to be appreciated by generation after generation.
The Arts Council has a new objective - the pursuit of excellence. This apparently means culling some 200 organisations. I am getting furious letters from constituents about this, suggesting that it is yet another manifestation of an urban-obsessed government. Of course our major collections are in our big cities, and London in particular, but there is a thriving artistic and theartrical tradition in East Anglia.
The Arts Council is now under fire from leading actors and others. My advice to the Government is - be very careful indeed. Those in the arts may be small in numbers but they are very vocal and passionate advocates.
Raids on the National Lottery to carry out core government functions is bad enough, but oh dear, this will be cause an earthquake. Small and regional theatres are deeply loved outside London.
The Arts Council boasts that it works to get more art to more people in more places. They might wish to consider re-writing their mission statement.