Maeve Gilmore exhibition

A new exhibition of paintings by Maeve Gilmore is being held at the Ancient and Modern Gallery in London from 6th November to 13th December 2014. It's wonderful work and it's well worth a visit as this is a rare chance to see it.

"ANCIENT & MODERN presents paintings by the British artist and writer Maeve Gilmore (1917-1983), which will also mark the occasion of the 50th exhibition at Ancient and Modern. Maeve Gilmore’s paintings range from her assured early portraits to the later, more exploratory and occasionally tentative, narrative scenarios, with the figure still a key element."

The gallery is at 201 Whitecross Street, London, EC1Y 8QP

Loose Monk, a new book of poetry by Fabian Peake

Painter and poet Fabian Peake presents his first definitive collection of poetry chosen from a writing practice spanning almost twenty-five years.  Drawing inspiration from nature, memory, domesticity, love and art, the 41 poems in Loose Monk include Peake’s verse poems, abstract pieces and concrete or ‘shape’ poetry that employs repetition, spacing and pauses to convey emotion, atmosphere and a sense of time.  The publication is designed by Fraser Muggeridge Studio and reflects the singular visual look of each poem.

Throughout his prodigious writing career Peake has consistently committed himself to an experimental approach and has influenced a younger generation of artistic practitioners including Maria Zahle, Jess Flood-Paddock and Patrick Coyle. The writing grows from his background as an artist and follows in the tradition of painter-poets like Hans Arp, Kurt Schwitters and Paul Klee.  Peake says that ‘there is an unavoidable parallel between how I build a poem and the way I construct a painting.’

For review copies of Loose Monk, interviews, images or  further information please contact Janette Scott Arts PR on janettescottartspr@gmail.com or +44(0)7966 486156. Copies of the book can be bought here.

Gothic Exhibition at the British Library

The new exhibition, Terror and Wonder, which runs until 20th January 2015, includes one of the Gormenghast manuscripts. Open at the page where Titus is a small figure in the forest, it sits beneath an original drawing by Ian Miller of the tree which juts out of the side of the castle.
Prints of Ian Miller's other Gormenghast images are available here.

Peake in China

Mervyn Peake's father wrote a comprehensive memoir about his work as a medical missionary in China in the early 20th century. This has now been published by the British Library under the title "Peake in China", with an introduction by Hilary Spurling. It's a fascinating and well-written account his time in China and there are, of course, many references which readers of Gormenghast will recognise.