By Harry Mottram: It’s arguably the city’s most impressive art gallery laid out on three floors in the Grade I listed museum and former home of Sir William Holburne. Built in 1796 as a home the Georgian mansion at the end of Great Pulteney Street became a museum and gallery in 1884 based around Sir William’s collection. Hosting permanent works by Gainsborough, Guardi, Stubbs, Ramsay and Zoffany the Holburne Museum is in some ways a little piece of London in Bath due to the world class collection of fine art.
Josua Donkor: I have more souls than one
The light, the near photographic finish, the textual backdrops, the colours that evoke the personality, relationships and the context of the subject in Joshua Donkor’s paintings at the Holburne Museum like all true portraits give a window into the sitters’ souls. My only criticism was the small number of canvasses in the show – but without doubt demonstrating this Bathonian’s brilliance.
Born in 1997 Donkor is a Ghanian-British artist who grew up in Bath and seeks to connect with his heritage in the West African country by combining the subject’s image with layered visual references to their possessions with colour, texture and exquisite lighting.
Josua Donkor: I have more souls than one runs to the 5th Math 2025 at the Holburne.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol
It’s difficult to have the same enthusiasm for the Hoburne’s exhibition: Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol, mainly due to the few images on offer and frankly the underwhelming nature of the show. Focusing on the 1960s with work by Francis Bacon, Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Richard Hamilton, Gerhard Richter and Andy Warhol there are images of the usual suspects: Bridget Bardot, The Beatles and Mick Jagger – caught in the flashgun of the press after his arrest. There was a lack of quality pieces and not much in the way of pop art in a show (exceptions included the Yuri Gagarin and Bardot artworks) that promised a nostalgic view of the swinging sixties.
Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol runs tothe 5th Math 2025 at the Holburne.
Diedrick Brackens: Woven Stories
Even fewer artworks or rather textile hangings are available to view of the work of Diedrick Brackens on show in an adjoining room – although nevertheless they are original and striking pieces. The Texan born artist employs goes the publicity: ‘hand-crafted works employ techniques from West African weaving, quilting from the American South and European tapestry-making to create works that explore American history, African American and queer identity, allegory and narrative.’ We are implored to see in the blanket sized artwork nuanced visions of a variety of themes from African American literature to the complexities of labour and migration. Symbolism perhaps but very identifiable imagery including a dead gazelle being carried home for supper and a pig possible awaiting its fate. And being two sided, you can walk up to the tapestries and inspect the weaving and textile work close up. Original and leaves you pondering their meaning.
Diedrick Brackens: Woven Stories runs to the 26th Math 2025 at the Holburne.
At £12.50 admission (£7 concessions which don’t include OAPs) is steep but considering the amount to see it is priced fairly. The Garden Café at the rear is definitely a highlight and of course you can just use the café and not go into the art galleries.
For more information visit https://holburne.org/
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Harry Mottram is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Telegram, TikTok and Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
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