Jackson Pollock, Tate Gallery, 13 May 1999

As part of a “week off” that Janie and I took in London to see exhibitions and shows, the centrepiece of our Thursday was a trip to the Tate to see the Jackson Pollock exhibition.

The exhibition had been much hyped in the media, with previews and reviews.

Here’s a smattering from the papers.

Bel Littlejohn in The Guardian with tongue firmly in cheek, I shouldn’t wonder:

Pollock Littlejohn GuardianPollock Littlejohn Guardian 19 Mar 1999, Fri The Guardian (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Laura Cumming in the Observer seemed more genuinely bowled over by the exhibition:

Pollock Cumming ObserverPollock Cumming Observer 14 Mar 1999, Sun The Observer (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

The Weasel in the Indy used a strange mixture of reverence and irreverence to review this exhibition:

Pollock The Weasel IndyPollock The Weasel Indy 13 Mar 1999, Sat The Independent (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

Brian Sewell gave it the usual “Sewage treatment” in the Standard, over two pages:

Pollock Sewell StandardPollock Sewell Standard 11 Mar 1999, Thu Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com Pollock Sewell Standard 2 of 2Pollock Sewell Standard 2 of 2 11 Mar 1999, Thu Evening Standard (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.com

I gave it a one word review in my log:

Bollocks.

Janie remembers the exhibition more fondly than that and I have become reconciled with Pollock since, especially in the context of shirts and ties.