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@plowdensmith.bsky.social
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plowdensmith.bsky.social
"David Hockney at 88 — he’s begun his last dance with the joy of a child."
@JANUSZCZAK in The Times

David Hockney: The Moon Room and Some Very, Very, Very New Paintings Not Yet Shown in Paris is at Annely Juda Fine Art, London, until Feb 28

www.thetimes.com/article/3a87...
David Hockney at 88 — he’s begun his last dance with the joy of a child
The artist is enjoying a volcanic burst of late energy with fresh work in his exhibition Some Very, Very, Very New Paintings Not Yet Shown in Paris
www.thetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:38 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"Now, from far out in the left field, comes a show posing the question: Can we stop killing each other?" JANUSZCZAK reviews the latest Sainsbury Centre exhibition, until May 17, 2026

https://www.thetimes.com/article/b26f469e-b437-42ef-8cf5-cfbc2311ce25?shareToken=5f708457491f1afed7b52be09513c78a
Why does death inspire so much art? It’s the killer question
Our murder obsession started way before video games and Hollywood. Just look at Britain’s wackiest collection at the Sainsbury Centre
www.thetimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Tomorrow (November 4th) is #AskAConservator day. Reply with your conservation questions or use the #

Ask a conservator day was created to remember the flooding of Florence in 1966, which damaged priceless cultural heritage, and the incredible efforts made to conserve the items impacted.
November 3, 2025 at 9:12 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
We've had an amazing week at the LAPADA Berkeley Square Fair. Six conservators have demonstrated conservation techniques for works on paper, paintings, ceramics, Gilding and metals.

Today is the final day to visit where we'll be talking all about Silver on stand B28
November 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"What’s going on? I won’t make the mistake here of trying to solve the riddle. In Doig’s art, there are no solutions." JANUSZCZAK on House of Music at the Serpentine Gallery until Feb 8
https://www.thetimes.com/article/31fb24a7-dbfc-45cc-8f13-685db9e4eff6?shareToken=a47e955fe331e4884a151b0caebd5dfc
The forty million dollar man who made painting fashionable again
Peter Doig achieved the impossible and hit the jackpot — now he’s changing again and his new exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery is a joy
www.thetimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Wonderful interview with Ed Ruscha in @thetimes.com ahead of a new show at the Gagosian London:
Ed Ruscha: Says I, to Myself, Says I until December 19th
www.thetimes.com/article/64d1...
#Ruscha #EdRuscha #Gagosian
Ed Ruscha: Jeff Bezos bought my art for $52.5m and invited me over
The pop artist made his name with his iconic takes on Sixties LA — and at 87 is still fizzing with ideas about art, money and famous friends
www.thetimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Born this day in 1901 Alberto Giacometti, was one of the most influential sculptors of the 20thC. His work is currently presented at Barbican with new works by contemporary artists until May 2026.
https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/series/encounters-giacometti
#Giacometti #Barbican #Sculpture
Encounters: Giacometti | Barbican
Three groundbreaking exhibitions position historic sculptures by Alberto Giacometti with new works by contemporary artists, in an intimate new space.
www.barbican.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Exciting news, we're going to be at the LAPADA Fair this year showcasing our conservation work. More updates soon...
October 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Do you know your rust from your iron oxide? Bronze disease from Verdigris?

We delve into the topic of corrosion and patination with our metals conservator Hal:
https://plowden-smith.com/conservation-conversations-patina-vs-corrosion/
Conservation Conversations: Patina vs Corrosion - Plowden & Smith
Read our interview with Hal our metals conservator, exploring some of the nuances of corrosion and patination through the lens of historic arms and armour.
plowden-smith.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Exciting news in Conservation Science: the Getty Research Institute, University of Akron & New York University have developed a safer more sustainable substitute to an essential paintings conservation adhesive:
www.getty.edu/news/scienti...
#PaintingConservation #FineArtConservation
Scientists and Conservators Reinvent Formula for Vital Art Conservation Material | Getty News
2025 press release about a new formula resulting from a grant funded by Getty.
www.getty.edu
October 6, 2025 at 12:32 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"I mention it here because the show does not and seems keen to keep things polite."
Waldemar Janusczcak sees great things in the Lee Miller retrospective but asks for more early-life context.
The Times' Chief Arts Critic reviews Lee Miller @ Tate Britain
www.thetimes.com/article/0725... #photography
The truth about Lee Miller is darker than Tate Britain would have us believe
This exhibition is so powerful I was moved to tears — but it sanitises the American photographer’s complicated early life
www.thetimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
What's your favourite arts podcast?
Its the equinox and we're looking for something to get into as the evenings draw in.
#Podcasts #Equinox
September 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Making Isinglass in our paper conservation studio. Isinglass is used to consolidate parchment.
Parchment is made from treated animal skins, which is why the consolidant used is different to those more commonly used in our Paper studio for works on paper.
#PaperConservation #Parchment #Conservator
September 19, 2025 at 9:10 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"It happened to Caravaggio, Vermeer, even Rembrandt. Forgotten for centuries, they needed to wait to be remembered. It’s what happened as well to Georges de la Tour."
Waldemar Januszczak reviews Georges de la Tour at the Musée Jacquemart-André in Paris:
www.thetimes.com/article/0407...
#OldMasters
The mystery of the forgotten master who rivals Caravaggio
It’s so obvious that Georges de la Tour is one of the greats, you wonder how we ever could have missed it — even if we know almost nothing about him
www.thetimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
We couldn't quite believe the news from @theartnewspaper.bsky.social about the passing of Giorgio Armani having just read an interview with him in the FT published the weekend prior to the designer's death aged 91.
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/09/05/g...
Giorgio Armani, designer who changed how museums engage with fashion, has died aged 91
As well as for his iconic designs, Armani will be remembered for his broad cultural legacy
www.theartnewspaper.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
The National Gallery announces new wing and move into modern art.
Reported in @thetimes.com by Nancy Durrant
www.thetimes.com/article/5513...
#NationalGallery #ModernArt
Revealed: the National Gallery announces new wing and move into modern art
Director Gabriele Finaldi unveils his plan to expand the gallery and its collection — funded by two record-breaking donations of £150 million
www.thetimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:19 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"Everyone thinks of Van Gogh and his Sunflowers as a joyous explosion of horticultural ecstasy and summer love. But not Gauguin."
Waldemar Januszczak explores artists painting artists in
@thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/ff47...
Gauguin, Van Gogh and the secret of a truly revealing portrait
It’s always different when artists paint each other — just look at the marital misery of Mr and Mrs Bratby or Gauguin exposing Van Gogh’s dark side as he painted sunflowers
www.thetimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
"Scholars will not be able to resist speculating. Could this portrait have been a gift from Southampton to Shakespeare? … no other man of the time cultivated as androgynous an image."
@rhysblakely.bsky.social reports a portrait miniature with a hidden secret:

www.thetimes.com/article/ba9c...
Lost portrait ‘may show Shakespeare’s secret male lover’
Does a newly discovered miniature believed to be of the poet’s first patron hint at a doomed love affair?
www.thetimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
‪Our #Exhibition pick of the week is the @royalsculptors.bsky.social "Spaceshifting". The society has invited its international members to show works in the Central Lounge of the luxurious Royal Over-Seas League Clubhouse. Admission is free but booking is required.
sculptors.org.uk/whats-on/202...
Spaceshifting | Royal Society of Sculptors
Join us for the Opening Reception of Spaceshifting, the second exhibition celebrating international members of the Royal Society of Sculptors at the Royal Over-Seas League in London St. James’s. Pleas...
sculptors.org.uk
August 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Looking away from art for a second.. that was a close match, we're celebrating a different bronze today. #euros
July 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Happy Friday! Here's our exhibition picks of the week from Scotland, Yorkshire, London and Paris:
#WhatsOn #Exhibition #Gallery #Museums
July 4, 2025 at 9:34 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
Squashy but satisfying. Inlays may look like a messy business but once they are all in place the item is French polished. The final surface is smooth when finished, and each inlaid element shines.
plowden-smith.com/furniture-re...
#FurnitureRestoration #Inlay #Marquetry #HistoricFurniture #Antiques
July 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
We have three vacancies available. Find out more about each role on our website and join our team:

- Administrator
- Head of Client Services
- Decorative Arts Conservator (Fixed Term)

plowden-smith.com/about/careers/

#Hiring #HiringNow #ArtsJobs
June 30, 2025 at 7:50 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
The #SummerExhibition at @royalacademyarts is well underway. We had the honour of visiting a couple of days ahead of the VIP opening; Joe in our #mountmaking team measured up & created bespoke mounts for a range of objects on display, working alongside the RA's installation team.
June 26, 2025 at 9:45 AM
plowdensmith.bsky.social
That's a wrap on the Islamic Arts Biennale. Our conservators have completed their last condition reports in Jeddah for all objects ahead of their journeys back to their respective collections.
plowden-smith.com/conservation...
#HeritageConservation #Conservator #IslamicArtsBiennale
Conservation at the Islamic Arts Biennale - Plowden & Smith
The Islamic Arts Biennale has been a wonderful project to be part of. Over the past 6 months our team provided condtion reports and conservation treatments.
plowden-smith.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM