I've been writing about art in my sleep
I’ve been writing about art in my sleep. Not because I’m a genius or anything - there’s nothing publishable I can take from my dreams. It’s because I am burnt out and, if I’m honest, setting myself the goal of writing a weekly newsletter is a contributing factor. Across October my sleep-talking has woken up my partner in the middle of the night twice. The first time, I shouted “Something’s wrong!” which he then (wrongly) internalised about the relationship, and the second time, I was caught red-handed - I was interviewing a brilliant artist. I even woke myself up but clammed my eyes shut to pretend it didn’t happen. I felt a little embarrassed because he is all-too aware of my daytime fixation on arts writing and, admittedly, my insatiable drive to get good at it. It is now seeping into my dreams.
So, this week I’m letting myself off the hook. No deep dives into artists’ psyches (or my psyche, for that matter). To stave off the burnout, I’m sharing a handful of nourishing, art-themed things I’m busying myself with this autumn/winter.
I loved writing this feature on Ishiuchi Miyako for The Skinny. Her solo exhibition at Stills, Edinburgh, has sadly closed but I’m looking forward to booking a mid-week day off to use their library to read Ravens and Red Lipstick: Japanese Photography since 1945.
Ferren Gipson’s newsletter. Her tagline: Art history, but make it fun. Subscribe subscribe subscribe.
Somaya Critchlow’s solo show Afternoon Darkness at Maximillian William, London. This exhibition looks absolutely stunning, and I’m hoping to catch it (and write about it) before it closes on 19 November.
Repeat visits to Norman Gilbert’s retrospective at Tramway, Glasgow. A colourful stew of nostalgia and sentimentality, it is hard not to feel warmed and nourished by this exhibition.
For now, happy reading and art-exploring. There’s something quite meaty I want to tackle in next week’s newsletter.