People's Vote March Two

The unbelievable mess that is Brexit rumbles on, now until Hallowe'en. The EU might have a sense of humour, but no-one can plan anything. No-one knows what is going on, not even the zombie PM and her undead government who are supposed to be in charge of this show.

One thing we do want, though, is the chance to say Remain, again. And hope this time that it works, now that folk understand that job losses are real and happening. It's heartbreaking to see and no amount of 'you get what you vote for' is any kind of salve.

Did a million people march on 23rd March, or was it 2 million? Who knows? But I can tell you that the streets were absolutely rammed with charming, happy, kind people from all over the country and who just want their say. Such a contrast to the tiny pro-Brexit rallies the following week, fuelled as they were by hate and intolerance.

I was proud to be marching, well, shuffling, again, even if compared to my compatriots, I look completely bonkers. That hat was great fun to make and attracted a deal of attention from photographers and TV crews. I hope I have the chance to wear it again on Referendum Two day. My German dog, Bru, is getting used to crowds. The kids' sign was outstanding. Quality glitter was their reward.

Recent art shows round up

It's been a busy winter and start to spring. I've been away and otherwise had my head in my computer writing a book. I have still been looking at art, but without the time to write about it. So here's a whistle-stop round up of the shows I've seen since Christmas.

Tracey Emin at Whitecube, Bermondsey

Generally excellent, except that I didn't really go for the large bronzes. Mainly paintings here on difficult and unsettling subject matter- abortion and the death of her mother. I enjoy her paintings. Their fluidity and confidence of gesture is impressive. And they are more lovely to look at and less obvious than Kahlo on the same and similar subjects. The roomful of insomnia photographs rang a very large bell with me. Oh, for a decent night's sleep.

Bonnard, Tate Modern

Big blockbuster bore. Snoringly dull subject matter that viewed with twenty first century eyes is just not interesting, no matter how ground breaking it was at the time. I don't want to see the garden from your dining room, and despite the many times your wife takes a bath, there's really no excuse for painting her, every, single, day. Also, you can't paint dogs and cats for toffee. Don't even try. BUT you can do colour, colour, colour, colour. The master of complementarity. No contest.

Bill Viola, Royal Academy

Fabulous and wonderful as always. I just love his videos. Technology moves and he just gets better and better. Paired in this show with rarely seen and complimentary/influential drawings by Michael Angelo from the royal collection at Windsor, this was the best way to spend a cold Sunday than just about anything else I know. I took a novice who immediately became a convert. Bliss.


Van Gogh, Tate Britain

Blockbuster two - yeah, all the greatness you expect. Tortuous conceit of trying to make it something about the years he lived in south London before he became a painter. Throwing in of British art he supposedly influenced - hmm. The Bacons in the last room were a joy. Crowded beyond measure, etiquette and politesse. But it's Van Gogh, and At Eterity's Gate with Willem Dafoe is a must see film while I'm on the topic.