What Are You Like?
By Zena Alkayat, Metro
14.09.08
The premise of this exhibition could read like a
primary school project. What are you like? it asks. But the
question is put to some of the country's top artists, musicians,
news correspondents and writers - and the illustrated results are
far more captivating than a child's response.
Amusingly, the gallery has hung the 45
contributions without captioning the contributors, so the show
turns into a bit of a guessing game (especially if you don't pick
up an exhibition guide). The handiwork of Shirley Hughes and David
Shrigley may be instantly recognisable, but efforts by Jack Peñate,
Andrew Marr and Peter Blake are less easy to pinpoint.
What's more interesting than this parlour game
is the diverse content of the illustrations. Each celebrity was
given 12 subjects on which they could base their visual answer,
including book, pastime, food and aversion. In some cases the
reaction is surprising (Quentin Blake has drawn a beach full of
naked women - detail pictured), some amusing (cartoonist Peter
Brookes works satirical digs at political figures into his piece),
some intricately depicted, others merely a doodle.
As wildly varied as the pieces are, there are
subtle similarities and even recurring images that bring them
together. It makes for a warm collection, illuminating for its
insight into creative minds, touching in its simplicity.
Until Jan 18, Dulwich Picture Gallery,
Gallery Road SE21, Tue to Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat and Sun 11am to 5pm,
£5, free to £4 concs. Tel: 020 8693 5254. Rail: West
Dulwich