Art for Art’s sake

And food usually finding its way in somehow…

I wouldn’t class myself as a huge art lover. I don’t necessarily seek out galleries when I travel, although invariably, those I have visited, always take me by surprise in a good way. But certainly I can be moved by art. Occasionally I will see something, be it a painting, sketch, photo or sculpture, and it will touch me somehow and leave a lasting impression.

I like to draw and doodle and some would say we chefs are artists. Certainly we’re creatives yes and if wanting to make sure that a plate of food or the layout for a photoshoot is aesthetically pleasing, then perhaps that’s art.

When I moved to my house in Kent I made a point of not putting anything on the walls that didn’t have a deep meaning to me. Gone are the days of nipping to that oversized Swedish store, buying a couple of prints and leaving them hanging there for years, simply filling white space. I have some family photos which mean a lot, a few items made for me (this MasterChef card being one) an oversized poster of the cover of a favourite Diana Henry cookbook and several original pieces including the one above by a fellow Guild of Food Writers member, Angela Nilsen, which I adore. There is also a print by the hugely talented Anna Koska (do take a look at her work). This piece talked to me as not only am I left in disbelief that someone can draw or paint like that, but this particular chicory is one of my favourite vegetables.

Recently on my travels, a couple of things got to me. The first was La Vuccuria which I saw in Palermo. At the end of my Sicily trip in September, I had one afternoon in the capital to ensure I made my early flight next day and those few hours were filled with so many sensorial experiences, I won’t forget them in a hurry.

There are three main markets in Palermo; Ballarò, Capo and La Vuccuria, in fact the tiny (excellent) Pensione I stayed in was called “Ai Tre Mercati” and it’s three rooms were named after said markets. As luck would have it I stayed in La Vuccuria which is also the topic of a famous 1974 painting by Renato Guttoso.

I only had a few hours in the city and it was a Monday so none of the markets were really in full swing. I spent my time weaving my way through the colourful, noisy, sometimes slightly rundown streets, stopping to grab some panelle (chickpea fritters) and a cone of fried fish and then worked my way across the city to the Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri. Most people visiting the gallery had come to see this famous artwork but our mini tour of the beautiful noble home, was fascinating and well worth doing.

The culmination of the guided walk through was being shown into a darkened room with just a few spotlights focussed on the impressive Guttoso piece, which was accompanied by a soundtrack of the busy market itself.

It was a huge painting taking up most of the wall and there was so much detail that you needed a good while to absorb it all. Funnily enough some of the vegetables, particularly the fennel, made me think of Anna Koska and her work. I hope she’s seen this masterpiece. Apparently the man in the yellow sweater is Gattuso himself, the older lady in black behind him, his wife, and the woman in grey represents a lover. The food is powerful but she certainly dominates the canvas, guides you in even. I couldn’t walk away. I would have happily sat there for several hours had the next tour not started. My eyes flitted from side to side, up and down, corner to corner, and each time I spotted something new. What an incredible piece. Such detail. Talk about still life - this felt like hectic, real life and transports you right there amongst the sellers and stalls. I reluctantly moved on but vowed that I would return to Palermo soon, not only to have another look at the painting but to see the market in all its glory and soak up the atmosphere that Gattuso captured so perfectly here.

Another little favourite was spotted in the Picasso museum in Malaga. First of all the various mediums he worked with, surprised me. I didn’t realise that Pablo had painted, screen-printed, sculpted, sketched and etched. It was all there - genius really. But the thing that made me smile the most (and came home with me) was this little note book and the black and white photo of the maestro himself. First off, I am a huge Breton top fan so the stripes made me very happy. But, oh those ‘hands’. Bloody brilliant and out loud laugh inducing. Apparently his photographer friend, Robert Doisneau, had arrived at the artists house and these bread rolls were on the breakfast table in a basket. They were particular to Nice and were called “Main de Nice” (hand of Nice), perhaps a play on Pain de Nice. Picasso told Doisneau that the local Boulanger called them Picasso’s hands as they were so fat, like the artists arthritic digits and in that moment this wonderful shot was composed. How he is keeping a straight face I don’t know. I don’t think I shall ever be able to every time I look at it. I have decided it deserves a little frame and shall sort that soon.

As an addendum I also fell in love with the photography of Joel Meyerowitz in the same gallery, but shall save that for another day once I have delved further into his world.

Now, what do you have on your walls?