British Invasion at the Bechtler

Roy Lichtenstein

Through Feb. 18, 2015, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art showcases its holdings of artwork created by artists from Great Britain collected by the Bechtler family.

Lynn Chadwick beast vii bronze

David Hockney

This collection reinforces the notion that the Bechtlers collected the art they liked and were not impressed by what was considered mainstream and acceptable. In our opinion, this is what sets the museum apart and enhances the excitement one feels when visiting the exhibits.

 

This exhibition comprises 56 works of prints, sculptures, drawings and paintings. The 11 artists represented in this exhibit are Bridget Riley, Lynn Chadwick, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, Alan Davis, Rodney Gladwell, Bernard Meadows, Victor Passmore and William Scott.

One of Barbara Hepworth's most iconic works is part of the exhibit.

Also on the 4th floor gallery is The Firebird Celebrating Five Years in Charlotte. This special exhibition highlights the influence of the Firebird both before and after its installation in front plaza of the museum in 2009.

Firebird in the mountains

 The 17-foot Firebird has been a delight for all of Charlotte to view and is covered from head to toe in pieces of mirrored and colored glass.

Famous Firebird at its Charlotte home

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is located in uptown Charlotte, NC at 420 South Tryon Street. 704 353 9200 / bechtler.org

Statue in the permanent collection on a Bechtler balcony

Secret Gardens in Fourth Ward

This garden reminded me of Charleston.

Having relocated back to Charlotte, my hometown, in 1983, witnessing so much change in the landscape and urban neighborhoods of my youth, my experience of Fourth Ward this month at the first annual Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward tour brought back so many memories of growing up here and how truly beautiful Charlotte has always been, even when the blight came and covered up the history and beauty of our city in so many ways.

The Berryhill House, a magnificent Victorian, was the first house  renovated in the neighborhood, back in 1975.

 I remember the big houses and tree lined streets with children playing in the median on 10th Street and the different smells of the city, the cooking and the coal fires, the black dirt under our bare feet, when one block seemed like a mile from home and Mom.

Al-Mike's is a great neighborhood spot to grab a bite to eat.

I used to rollerskate here after school.

While touring the gardens in Fourth Ward the memories came flooding back of Charlotte’s history and what we were like then, how we became what we are now. The preservation of one our four historic districts in uptown Charlotte is perfection. The homeowners and preservationists have saved for us an unbelievable part of our history and created a pure fantasy to enjoy for another century of life.

This gazebo is in the courtyard at the Tenth Street Townhomes.

A must see for everyone, the only evidence of days gone by in uptown Charlotte – a true treasure.

Randy and John had one of the loveliest gardens complete with koi pond and waterfall. More views of it are below.

  

Thanks to The Friends of Fourth Ward, our host, the gracious and proud homeowners, and the Center City Partners. This was an honor and a pleasure to share in Charlotte’s Secret Gardens and so much more.