Art
Agar, Eileen. (5 of 8). National Life Story Collection: Artists' Lives
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Type
sound
Duration
00:30:13
Shelf mark
C466/01
Subjects
Art
Recording date
1990-04-18 and 1990-05-08 and 1990-06-01 and 1990-08-08
Recording locations
Interviewee's home, United Kingdom
Interviewees
Agar, Eileen, 1899-1991 (speaker, female)
Interviewers
Courtney, Cathy, 1954-, (speaker, female)
Abstract
Part 5. Czech teacher (Foltyn), expounds his theory of Cubism. Eileen Agar (EA) interested; concerned about ecology. Contact with him changed EA's work to extent that it opened her to what the abstractionists and structuralists were doing. Foltyn explained that light went in two ways; wavy light or instant light. Intrigued by Surrealist picture seen in Paris. Met Ernst and Eluard. Paul Nash brought Surrealists to EA's studio. 'Quadriga', chosen for show. Talks about assemblages and found objects. Didn't agree with automatic painting, but automatic writing can be a start. EA thinks self-portrait first successful painting. Talks about her work 'The Angel of Anarchy', done in 1939/40. Second Angel of Anarchy going to Tate. Likes her work in public collections. EA went to exhibition at Mall Galleries the night before, saw work by artist, Zara Matthews a past girlfriend of Andrew Lambirth who helped EA write her book. EA believes her very talented. AE astonished to be made member of Royal Academy, used to laugh at RA which at one time wouldn't have had Surrealists. About EA galleries; Birch and Conran have a lot of work in store. Was with Hanover Gallery for a long time, very good gallery. Erica Brausen at Hanover Gallery. Was also with Robert Lewin for a while, who no longer runs gallery. Likes Birch and Conran people very much and Marian Ponsonby at New Art Centre.
Description
Item notes : Transcript available
Related transcripts
Eileen Agar interviewed by Cathy Courtney: full transcript of the interview
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