A visit to the British Museum
I did an inspiring visit to the British Museum yesterday, to do some drawing of my favourite Egyptian sculptures. The sculptures are of the deity, Sekmet, the daughter of the sun-god Ra, a lion goddess, which means ‘the mighty one’. Made of Granodiorite, King Amenhotep III commissioned hundreds of statues of her. She had association with destruction and plague, but her power could also be conjured for healing. An appropriate anecdote to our current times? In a myth, her wrath for conspiracy against her father’s rule, Ra, was quelled by the Gods that got her drunk. As the myth goes, this prevented her from destroying humankind and peace was restored. According to recent archeological discoveries, thousands of Egyptians would hold an annual festival in her honour, dancing, drinking and playing music to soothe her wildness. I am captivated in how modern they appear despite how ancient they really are (according to the British Museum: 18th Dynasty during the reign of Amenhotep III, about 1390-1352 BC). I am always drawn straight to these sculptures when I enter.
I am currently working on a drawing which includes sphinxes, a pyramid and a serpent. Something a bit different as I am usually used to drawing with a subject in front of me. The original idea came during a creative yoga workshop, whereby some relaxing meditative yoga was attempted in the morning, followed by some individual creative exploration with acrylic paint and collage.
At the end of the day, I popped into the beloved L.Cornelissen & Son art shop, which has been supplying artists with suppliessince the 19th Century. Entering makes you feel nostalgic as thoughyou have gone back in time, with the antique wooden shop interior and ambiance. ‘Derek Jarman described jars of pigment glinting like jewelsin the semi-dark’, ‘Things waiting to be turned into other things’ saysjournalist, Cathy FitzGerald (BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b092f90h).
I always have pleasure in discovering new art materials. It feels especially like a magical experience in a shop like this, rummaging through the delights. I came across graphite clay to use on paper, something I didn’t know existed. I will experiment with it this week, perhaps a drawing linked to the British Museum Egyptian sculptures. I am excited to learn abouti ts capabilities and the possibilities that could develop in the studio.
The British Museum - https://www.britishmuseum.org
Cornelissen Art Shop - https://www.cornelissen.com
