Ann Gilmour Poet Ekphrasis

A Truly Scrumptious Feast

Mesmerised 
My eyes are glued
I take in every detail
His sea	
His sky
His movement 
I hear the sounds
Pervade the air
As if myself
As if I’m there
I’m standing back
So much to see
It gently pulls 
I stand within
A bystander 
As I meander
Betwixt this daily scene 
As they prepare 
The fisherman 
For they are everywhere
Exquisite detail
In the distance 
A windmill I espy
Still here today
Upon the cliff
I passed it on my way
His sky so atmospheric
The best or so they say
To see his work
Is such a treat
Now etched inside my head
He painted it so long ago
How much has changed since then
The Chain Pier 
'tis no longer here
But in 1826 
He painted it
Recorded it 
Kept this scene alive
His image has survived
From whence he strolled along the prom
Sketching every detail
Returning each and every day
His work of art now on display
So honoured to observe 
As I gaze upon his masterpiece
Now displayed in London’s Tate
But for this new exhibition 
Called ‘Constable in Brighton’*
For the summer months at least
Just like a truly scrumptious feast
I partake a bite most every day
Feeding my soul 
it takes my breath away…

Written 7th January 2021


Contest Podium Placing Promise (5)
Sponsor Brian Strand
FIRST PLACE

*Constable in Brighton brings together over 60 of the artist’s sketches, drawings and paintings from his time in Brighton between 1824 – 1828 for the first time, in the place where they were created.  Focusing on his family life and walks, it will explore the impact and influence of the work he made here; as well as the working practices he developed and the locations and people who inspired him.
Uniquely, the display will follow Constable’s own walking and painting sequences, illustrating the series of paintings he produced as he explored the Brighton landscape.  Highlights will include:
•	Chain Pier, Brighton (1826–7, Tate), a fine oil painting featuring the early Brighton landmark which was swept away in 1896, in its first exhibition in the city for 20 years.

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Kim Rodrigues January 10, 2021 at 9:41 AM Very nice, Ann! Congratulations on first place, Ann Gilmour January 11, 2021 at 10:41 PM Thank you so much dear Kim for your congratulations, always lovely to hear from you my friend. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Jan Allison January 7, 2021 at 7:30 AM what a wonderful poetic tribute to one of Britain's finest artists:-) hugs jan xx Ann Gilmour January 7, 2021 at 10:32 AM Thank you Jan for your lovely comment. It was fabulous to see so many of his sketches that had never been seen before. The curator of the exhibition had also discovered that the house he had moved to was infact the house that Constable & his family had lived in during that time, and a plaque was put in place with Constable's great great grandson present, though sadly he died before the exhibition had come to fruition. With kindest thoughts Ann xx

Victor Buhagiar January 7, 2021 at 2:12 AM I always loved Constable's painting. Seen a few in London many years ago. I sure miss London but now I'm here to stay. ~~ Ann Gilmour January 7, 2021 at 2:22 AM Yes it was wonderful to see so many of his drawings/paintings, many of which were loaned from his family or in private collections. I visited it many times and each time I saw something else in his painting of the Chain Pier. There was even a delightful pencil sketch of the Windmill in Hove, close to where I lived as a child. Happy memories. With kindest thoughts Victor from Ann xx