Must see exhibitions, local and worth travelling for

So much inspiration in visit to exhibitions in the past month.

Compton Verney for three exhibitions. The first an exhibition of one of my all time favourite artists, Eric Ravilious. His use of colour and abstraction of shapes is beautiful to analyse.

The exhibition also includes the work of his wife and his friends.As this generation of artists were often trained as commercial as well as fine artists, a fair amount of the exhibition contains their work in publishing, ceramic and textiles.  The work of Tirzah Garwood, is terrific. Witty, poignant and colourful.

On until 09 June.

At the same venue, “Created in Conflict” , work made by members of the British Armed Forces, alone, and in collaboration with professional artists. Interestingly curated, frustratingly, no photographs allowed, so I can’ show the great nurses cape, perfectly conventional on the outside, but covered with souvenir regimental patches on the inside.

Then lastly, the redisplay of British Folk Art. Lots of bonkers exhibits to make one smile.

There is so much to see at Compton Verney, it is really worth a trip. Transport links are improving, and there is a regular bus service. The grounds are beautiful, and the restored, deconsecrated chapel is a stunning, restful space.

Closer to home, “Charmed Lives in Greece”, free exhibition at the British Museum, on until 15 July.  Wow, what an explosion of colour, shape and heat. It made me want to go and book a holiday to a Greek island the minute I came out of the museum. The images on line really show why it is important to go and see paintings, rather than relying on reproductions. The painting below is a feast of intense blues, greens and purples not done any just by the reproduction.

Another favourite, Kurt Jackson at Messum’s in Cork Street until 25th May. The theme is “Olives” and the heat just shimmers off these paintings. Some collage pieces and bronzes. The gallery is very welcoming to non-buying enthusiasts. My favourite is below, but this gives no indication of the mount of texture and density in the paint.