“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.”– Henry Ward Beecher
On Friday I had the pleasure of visiting Dorich House Museum. Built in an art deco style it belonged to Modernist sculptor Dora Gordine. Initially inspired by art nouveau, thanks to the influence from "Noor Eesti", a group of neo-romantic poets and artists from her homeland of Estonia, Dora began to expand her horizons in the art world after being greatly impacted by her time studying in Paris. Working as a painter on a mural during the "International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts" in 1925, this job from the British Pavilion gave Dora access to resources that allowed her to further highlight her talents as a sculptor. Casting a bronze for an exhibition at the Beaux Arts Society, she quickly gained international recognition throughout the late 1920s and 30s. Her pieces were often praised for their beauty and artisanry, (I personally love the detailing and textures found in her bronzes) with requested commissions coming from many notable people such as Dame Beryl Grey (a famous British ballerina). She also exhibited her works in some prestigious galleries around the world. One of her most notable pieces, "Javanese Head," is now part of the Tate Gallery's permanent collection.
Becoming a British socialite after her marriage to Richard Hare, the 4th Earl of Listowel, her career in the arts was halted during WWII, but sprung back for few decades after it ended. During this time, her art deco studio house was born, showcasing many souvenirs from her travels to Singapore, China, India, and Egypt. Although brought up in a Jewish family and later losing some of her siblings at the hands of the Nazis, Gordine seemed to deflect questions around this aspect of her personal life (self-preservation?). Focusing more Russian influences of her culture, as Estonia was part of the USSR until 1991. Something I definitely noticed when exploring her home in regard to the Russian/ Eastern orthodox iconography I spotted on her walls (see photos below) that were mingled alongside her paintings. There were also many eggs displayed, which often represent resurrection of Christ, or the eternal life promised in his father's kingdom when you think of the Church's sanctified saints.
Anyway this is the first blog I have posted about such visits on the Artsy Herbalist. Most of my previous adventures have been uploaded to my private Instagram page, but I think I will share more of them here going forward, as I can give a more detailed account in regard to what I have seen. Initially started after the COVID 19 lockdown, I began a bucket list aimed at exploring the county I live in, which is Surrey. I am originally from London and have seen so much more there in regard to the things I am passionate about (literature, history, art, rocks and botany); however, in 2020 I realised that I had lived in Surrey for an entire decade only seeing a mere fraction of what it has to offer, such as part of the Leptis Magna ruins in Virginia water, Box Hill, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, the Lightbox plus Stanley Picker Gallery, and Kew Gardens. With that here is a list (see end of slideshow) of places I have been over the past four years...have you been to any of these places? and do you have anymore you could recommend?
