Maggi Hambling - Touch - works on paper at British Museum.

I went to the Maggi Hambling exhibition as soon as it opened.  I was not sure what I made of her work prior to looking closely.  All the works were black & white, obviously by the same hand, but with significant variation of effect.  Some of the artwork descriptions gave comments that I as a student could do well to remember when I am working!

I started looking at a drawing of a stuffed rhinoceros from her early years … "just discovered ink as a drawing medium - risky, no correcting".  Then a reclining nude …"did not set out to use collage, but … necessary … to simplify".  "…to touch the subject with all the desire of a lover".

Energetic and gestural.  Gestural marks convey different emotions  soft, sensitive wispy - compassion (when drawing a very old tutor of hers, when visiting in hospital right at the end of his life).  Uplifted chin, listening to and conducting unheard music. (Cedric).  Is the energy of the gesture about the artist or the subject?  Artist statement adds narrative.

Portraits done in charcoal, mono print and monotype.  I have had to look up the difference between monotype and mono print although there is a fluidity in the use of the terms.  Monotype is where the plate is inked, paper laid, then drawn on - as done by Tracey Emin.  Monoprint is where the plate is inked, drawn, paper laid and pressed, or the plate is drawn, paper laid, and pressed.

Lots of different effects in the Wall of Water monotypes.  Beryl reclining - shows speed is of the essence - uses her hands to manipulate the ink.  Excellent range of effects.  Stephen falling asleep triptych was bold, gestural ink.  Death sketchbooks drawn in pencil, show sensitive images of both her mother and father when very close to death.

Maggi Hambling, Wall of Water
Courtesy of British Museum

Absolutely wonderful.  Only one room of drawings, right at the top of the British Museum, but small enough to spend serious time looking at them.  Ace.