Artists on Film Series

About

Alice Neel Thursday 19th February, 6.45pm
Directed by Andrew Neel, Produced by Ethan Palmer, 2006, Running time 82 minutes
Introduced by Tim Hyman
Portrait painter Alice Neel (1900-1984) was a self- described collector of souls who recorded her sitters on canvas through six decades of the 20th Century, from her own family and neighbours in Spanish Harlem to Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsberg. Alice Neel's grandson, puts together the pieces of the painter's, life using intimate one on one interviews with Neel's surviving family.

Balthus Thursday 26th February, 6.45pm
Directed by Mark Kidel, Produced by Emma Crichton-Miller, 1996, Running time 58 minutes
Introduced by Emma Crichton-Miller
Balthus, who for most of his life lived in seclusion and shunned publicity, was one of the last century's most enigmatic painters. This film is based around a series of conversations with the artist at home in Switzerland, and offers a fascinating insight into his personality as he talks about his inspirations, his subject matter and the modern world. Contributions from family and friends including Thadee Klossowski and Jean Clair, Director of the Musée Picasso in Paris.

Gerhard Richter Thursday 5th March, 6.45pm
Directed By Gerald Fox, 2003, Running time 50 minutes
Introduced by Gerald Fox
In this documentary, the artist Gerhard Richter talks about his life growing up in East Germany, attending the Dresden art academy and his escape to the west just before the Berlin Wall was built. He also discusses his work and success. This is the only film Richter has ever made in English and is a unique portrait of this shy but fascinating man at home and in his studio.

Paula Rego: Telling Tales Thursday 12th March, 6.45pm
Directed by Jake Auerbach, 2009, Running time 47 minutes
Introduced by Jake Auerbach
Born in Portugal, Paula Rego is one of Britain's leading artists. This intimate film follows the artist from her retrospective at the Reina Sofia in Madrid back to the privacy of her studio in London while she talks with humour and candour about her compulsion to produce works that, though accessible, deal with the most private themes.

David Hockney: A Bigger Picture Thursday 19th March, 6.45pm
(working title & work in progress)
Directed and filmed by Bruno Wollheim, Edited by Christopher Swayne. 2009
Running time 65 minutes (approx)
To be premiered on BBC1 Imagine at end of May/early June 2009
Introduced by Bruno Wollheim
Filmed over three years, this documentary captures David Hockney's return to Yorkshire to take on the heroic English Landscape tradition. With unprecedented access to the artist as he paints through the seasons and in all weathers, it follows his efforts to re-invent and re-invigorate his art ' and culminates in the largest picture ever made outdoors. It is at once the story of a homecoming and a revealing portrait of what motivates and inspires Hockney in his later years.