As one who has, shall we say, conservative tastes, I have always been somewhat skeptical as to the merits of Picasso. I always assumed that when he studied art he must have skipped the 'how to draw faces' module.
So I approached the Picasso Sculptures expo at Bozar, in Brussels, with mixed thoughts. I was only ever even vaguely aware that he sculpted at all. Was I in for a lesson!
In fact, his paintings were very often of his own sculptures. He created his own models, first from paper, and then, often, from scrap metal, and occasionally concrete.
He used to use bicycle saddles a lot. I have a wonderful image in my mind of the Paris police in the 1930s investigating a spate of saddle thefts in Montemarte.
I am reliably informed that he also used to steal items from the Louvre, and take them home to study them.
Try to steal from the Louvre now and see what happens to you!
The sculptures themselves are fascinating: from every angle you see something completely different.
But above all, they are fun.
Almost as much fun as watching the devotees who search endlessly for the true meaning of Picasso's work. One lady even brought her own chair and spoke briefly to one work before sitting down and staring intently at it. What was going through her mind we can only imagine. She may even be still sitting there now.
Due to incredible demand, the expo was extended, but draws to a close this weekend.
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