Having previously reviewed Peter Jamieson-Sinclair’s excellent Caravaggio-based exhibition, David Simper was keen to see the work produced to the concept of Cleopatra’s Pearl Earring. He took the service 61 bus down to Hive Arts for the exhibition launch.
This exhibition is under-pinned by the story of a bet between Queen Cleopatra of Egypt (last of the Ptolemies) and her lover, Roman general and statesman Mark Anthony, who could throw the most lavish feast. Cleopatra won by dissolving a priceless pearl in vinegar and drinking it. The question of what happened to the other pearl is the kick off point for this show.
Peter has chosen a selection of artworks to use, each of which features a pearl earring. I thought he was accomplished to be able to paint so accurately in the style of Caravaggio, but for this exhibition he has required himself to work in the style of a large number of artists, from Warhol to Titian. It was great fun to view the paintings and guess the artist, before reading the labels – I was pleased to guess the Goya. Vermeer’s the Girl With the Pearl Earring features, but it’s the Andy Warhol version.
Several of my favourite artists are featured here, including Modigliani, Goya and Lowry. As these are new works, the paint or other medium is fresh and bright. Although Peter describes himself as a forger, as the works are clearly labelled as painted by him, this can’t really be true – but it’s a good line.
I asked Peter what the line was between the Caravaggio work and this much wider portfolio.
“The paintings have been selected on the basis of pure indulgence, literally on a whim,” he said. “If I liked the painting, that would make a good entry. The one thing that was consistent is that they have to be throughout history, they couldn’t all be one period or one artist – the idea isn’t about the Girl with the Pearl Earring, it’s about the pearl earring.
“The idea started out with just the Vermeer, and then what would it be like if every other artist had done a Mona Lisa? So the idea was, what if the Hay Wain was painted by Warhol?
“Try searching famous earrings in history – not a lot comes back. There was a book, Memoirs of Cleopatra, and that’s where the earring story comes from.
“According to this book, following the deaths of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, Agrippa under Emperor Augustus, builds a pantheon and the second earring is supposedly divided in two and used as earrings on a statue of Venus. In 80AD the pantheon burns down – where does the pearl earring go? I invented a fiction to explain this. An arabesque.”
I ask what, following this tour de force, will be next.
“Whatever it is, I will have to top this,” he says. “The hardest one here was the Botticelli, without a doubt, it was so difficult. The easiest one was the banana. The fastest one was the silver-point, the Leonardo, because I didn’t need to wait for it to dry – that was quite straightforward. I’m very pleased with the Titian – the old frame helps. I’ve done this for fun – if I’d done it for money I’d be in tears.”
Thanks to Peter for his insights and good luck in preparing a show based on a new concept. But first do take in this show, with its display of artistic sensitivity, awareness and sheer skill.
As a third rate dabbling artist, I allow myself a little jealousy when skill such as this is on display. The pieces here might be ‘forgeries’ but they have been produced to a concept and make a fine display. Nobody’s going to get an original Titian, Botticelli or Goya on their wall, but they might just get Peter’s version instead.
This is a fine show and well worth a visit to Hive for a view. Choose a quiet time for an uninterrupted viewing of the pieces. For refreshment while you’re there, I can recommend the green tea and oreo brownies.
There was a lively buzz around this show. Thanks to The Hive cafe team for the excellent canapes and other refreshments. Also the HIVEArts Collective team for curation and hanging assistance.
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