Estorick Collection Uncut // A Still Life: Paul Coldwell in Dialogue with Giorgio Morandi – Estorick Collection, London (LAST CHANCE TO SEE)

An opportunity to see the entire Estorick Collection of modern Italian art on view. Plus some contemporary works by Paul Coldwell in dialogue with the Estorick’s works by Giorgio Morandi.

Back At The Estorick Collection

I feel like maybe I’ve now done a complete cycle of my favourite London cultural haunts since things reopened in May. Sure, there are some brand new things like immersive experiences and museums I haven’t visited before, but on the whole it’s nice to check back in with old friends and see what’s on view. My last visit to the Estorick Collection was in June. I talked a lot then about the history of the collection and the building; check out that post for more information. I was here this time to see an exhibition which showcases the Estorick Collection itself, in all its glory.

As I described last time, the Estorick Collection comprises mostly modern Italian art. We’re talking here about a lot of Futurists, big hitters like Modigliani, and lesser-known artists who appealed to the Estoricks. Because the exhibition space is relatively small, what you normally see alongside the temporary exhibitions is a selection. On this occasion, however, the exhibition is the Estorick Collection. Estorick Collection Uncut gives over the exhibition spaces so that all works can be seen at once. They are sometimes grouped thematically, and sometimes by artist. Seeing everything together gives an insight into how the Estoricks collected, and into their connections with the artistic scene in Italy in the 20th Century.

Estorick Collection Uncut

There are many good works in the Estorick Collection, some of which I had seen before. I particularly like the paintings, but there are many works on paper, and a few sculptures to complement everything. You can see works by Balla, de Chirico, Boccioni, Severini, Morandi and Modigliani. It’s sort of like a capsule wardrobe of modern Italian art – it mixes and matches very well.

As I mentioned above, this exhibition is partly thematic and partly grouped around particular artists. I liked it best when there were new insights into particular works. For example, the images above of a woman’s face and the back of the same painting are of Modern Idol by Umberto Boccioni. The information panels talk about how curious it is that Boccioni used such an old-fashioned technique to create the wooden surface for such a modern painting. Plus I love seeing the backs of paintings and the stories they tell.

Elsewhere, we learn that Luigi Russolo’s painting Music (third image above) is a representation of synesthesia. Or discover the life story of Modigliani’s sitter Franciszek Brabander (image below). Honestly I would have liked to see a little more made of these stories. The information panels are on the lengthy side throughout, so it’s a case of finding the wood amongst the trees to seek out these interesting nuggets.

The other facet of the collection that the text panels highlight is the Estoricks’ connection with certain artists. Zoran Music, for example, is lesser-known than some of his contemporaries, but well-represented in the collection. I did however wish for a little more information on the relationship between artist and collector, rather than artist bios.

A Still Life: Paul Coldwell in Dialogue with Giorgio Morandi

On the upper floor of the townhouse is a display with a dual purpose. These two rooms display the Estorick Collection’s works by Giorgio Morandi, an idiosyncratic and reclusive artist from Bologna. By way of comparison and dialogue, they also display new works by Paul Coldwell. Coldwell has drawn parallels between Morandi’s self-imposed restricted life in Bologna and our recent experiences of lockdown. His assemblages of casts of everyday items are like Morandi still-lifes in three dimensions. The juxtaposition is interesting, and brings something a little different to the display of the permanent collection.

If you are very interested in the Estorick Collection or in modern Italian art, then this is a great exhibition for you. I found it to be pleasant, but I felt there were opportunities missed to really make the most of having the entire collection on view together. Where connections did spark or dialogues emerged was where, for me, this exhibition was at its best.

Salterton Arts Review’s rating: 3/5

Estorick Collection Uncut and A Still Life: Paul Coldwell in Dialogue with Giorgio Morandi both on until 19 December 2021