An Imperfect Past

Today my wife, Margaret wanted to go and see Jack Vettriano: A Retrospective at Kelvin­grove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. We headed up to Glasgow early afternoon and when we got to Kelvingrove the car park was full. Luckily I got a space right away.

When we got into Kelvingrove, it was buzzing, I don't think I have ever seen it that busy. The Jack Vettriano exhibition is on target to beat the record set by the Glasgow Boys.

It was actually too busy inside to view the paintings at their best. It was also too hot. Although you are not allowed to take photographs, I managed to take a couple of candid shots. I like this view with the man looking at the painting "An Imperfect Past". If you go large there is a man going through to the next room, touches of Magritte.

The quotes on the wall and the labels beside the paintings explain the artist’s inspiration in, or emotional affinity with, the work of Martin Scorsese or David Lynch, the lyrics of Leonard Cohen or Joni Mitchell. I am a big fan of Joni Mitchell and I really like the painting Edith and the Kingpin.

Much has been said and written about Jack Vettriano. He is one of only a handful of contemporary artists whose work is known worldwide: his working class background, leaving school at 16, teaching himself to paint using materials gifted from his grandfather (whose surname he later adopted) and from a girlfriend when he was 21, his rejection by Edinburgh College of Art, and then his meteoric rise to become one of the very few millionaire artists in the world, much to the disgust of the Scottish Art Establishment. Dubbed ‘The People’s Painter’, Vettriano is both loved (by his many fans) and loathed (by his fiercest critics).

The exhibition is on display until the 23 February 2014.

After the exhibition we headed over to Chinaski's for a drink. The no name above the door, the small entrance... Well if you have never heard of it you would walk by it and you would never know it exists! I think that is what makes it even cooler, not even a menu online.... Thanks Trish for the recommendation, the next time we will have something to eat and I'll take a few shots.

Margaret then went off to get her hair done. Back home and I have made some steak and chips for dinner. Relaxing evening at home.