This was a short walk, organised so that those of us who are no longer able to do the regular walks, could meet up and spend time in a green space, as well as see one of David Hockney’s last works of art. Everyone was welcome.
Liz, Val, Sara Leon, Stephanie, John T, Carolyn and Tessa met at the Lancaster Gate entrance to Kensington Gardens.
We walked in a leisurely way, admiring the Italian Gardens, the Peter Pan statue in his newly landscaped surrounds and Henry Moore’s The Arch sculpture across the water.
The walk took us along the Serpentine, which was very pleasant in the current hot weather.
Once we arrived at the North gallery, we spent time at the exhibition: David Hockney’s ‘ A Year In Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting’. The main feature is a panoramic frieze of the countryside in northern France through the changing seasons. It is made up of about 100 iPad paintings and stretches 90 metres around the room. This was David Hockney’s homage to the Bayeux Tapestry. He was also inspired by Chinese scroll paintings.
We all enjoyed following the seasons around the room and found the piece to be uplifting.
Afterwards we gathered for a picnic under the trees in the grounds of the gallery. New members Eileen and Tele joined us later.
The group then split – some walking back along the other side of the Serpentine to Lancaster Gate; some going onto the south gallery, where there is a Cecily Brown exhibition; and some walking further along the Serpentine, with a stop at the Lido cafe and a further walk to the tube/bus.
The Serpentine and the artwork provided a common backdrop for people to meet up and spend a pleasant afternoon together.
Liz