Art is the path of the creator to his work.

Art is the path of the creator to his work.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today Michael had to work so Charlotte and I decided to go into W'ton with him and pop over to the Art Gallery. Unfortunately, the activity we thought was going on at the Art Gallery wasn't happening until tomorrow, but we decided to stay and have another look around. Charlotte is known there as 'The Youngest Pop Art Fan' - a title she wears proudly, so they were filling us in on more Pop art activities/talks happening.

As we had all day, we decided to really have a look at some exhibitions we normally only peek at and we were so glad we did. First one: the Northern Ireland Collection Wow! What a powerful exhibition which normally was avoided because I didn't know enough about it to answer any questions Charlotte might have. But how silly was I to avoid art for the sake of saying 'Not Sure.' I could go on about how the pink glass represents tears of the women in jail, but will only undermine the feelings provoked.

Veil is a constructed chamber of six heavy prison doors from a defunct women's prison in Armagh. Within the doors are small viewing holes through which prison staff would have observed offenders. The gallery visitor is invited to peer through these holes into a blood red interior, suspended with eighty glass tear droplets. The chamber is surrounded with salt representing shed tears.
Artist Rita Duffy
Wolverhampton Art Gallery


Then we made our way to the stunning Pork Knocker Dreams - recent work by Donald Locke exhibition. What was fascinating about his work is that at first glance, they looked very simple pieces of art. However, the more you studied them, the more things jumped out at you. We sat there for quite a while competing with who saw more items to the point where the Steward probably wondering how I can lose (repeatedly) to an 8 year old.

Of course we made time for the Victorian exhibition, second only to Pop Art in Charlotte's eyes.

Prior to leaving, we were told that they were making badges at a local shop, so we headed that way. After she made a badge, we were told to head over to Bantock House where more activities were going on, so we did. Fortunately, we missed the activity as it was storytelling, not a favorite with Charlotte. But instead we completed the Detective worksheets which saw us going from room to room identifying different art and pieces of furniture ... along with *more* dressing up.

We ended with a trip to the local park before picking Daddy up from work. He wasn't ready so Charlotte and I waited in the computer lab for a bit before heading to the shops and then home with our KFC. Who has time to cook tonight after so much fresh air?!?

More pictures here.

Edit to add an inside joke:
Man at department store: Pardon me, do you normally leave your nails natural?
Me: You what? *taking my hand back from him*
Charlotte: *Just laughed her head off*