I think sometimes one's experience of an exhibition or a piece of art can be heightened by what could really only be termed coincidence. In this instance, I came to the works having literally just finished Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, one of the most gripping novels I've read in a long time (even Priya Tanna, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue India and mother of a very small child - i.e. she has somewhat finite time resources - admits to not having been able to put it down, and to having finished it in two sittings). The bulk of the book is set in Missouri, and the Mississippi plays a large part - rather as it does in many of the paintings in the exhibition. Suddenly I find myself struck by a desire to sail down that wonderfully-named river, re-reading Mark Twain in between taking the time to learn the difference between the various American Indian tribes (beyond being able to spot a Navajo-inspired jacket on the catwalk, or identifying the vague influence behind the fabric I covered Sholto's tent in, that is . . . )
In the mean time, I can not recommend the George Catlin: American Indian Portraits highly enough. It's on until the 23rd June, and free. I will definitely be going back.
In the mean time, I can not recommend the George Catlin: American Indian Portraits highly enough. It's on until the 23rd June, and free. I will definitely be going back.