190. Exhibition on Screen: Sunflowers; movie review

 

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: SUNFLOWERS

Cert U

89 mins

BBFC advice: Contains references to mental health, nudity

In March 1987, an anonymous buyer paid $39.85 million for Vincent van Gogh’s ″Sunflowers,″ a work the artist once hoped to sell for $125 and failed.

And yet the painting wasn't even a one-off. It was one of a series of five which are of the same bouquet in the same ceramic pot and set against either a yellow or blue background.

They hang in art galleries all over the world from Tokyo to Philadelphia.

I learned this by watching this latest documentary produced by Phil Grabsky whose films have taught me so much about great artists.

The film explores the questions and mysteries posed by the Sunflowers series and the part they play in the intoxicating Van Gogh life story.

There is no doubt that the detailed discussion will enrapture serious art-lovers who will want to know why Van Gogh was especially fascinated by the long stem and golden crown of a flower which I have always thought of as a Blue Peter project rather than a possible adornment for our garden.

It even goes back into the history of the sunflower which is not native to Europe and yet has become synonymous with the work of one of the continent's most famous artists.

Inevitably, there is a catalogue of explanations of what Van Gogh was trying to say with these paintings and why each version is slightly different.

I found myself geeking out when scientists told of their discoveries when they analysed each painting in minute detail.

Van Gogh's story was at the heart of one of the most exciting periods in art history and the Sunflowers series is particularly relevant to his relationship with Gauguin and the slicing of his ear (or maybe it was a lobe).

This film gives a greater understanding of the man and his work.

However, dare I say, it still couldn't prevent a non-scholar such as myself thinking that the paintings are one-dimensional and a bit clumsy.

But, hey, what do I know? Well, at least more than I did before watching David Bickerstaff's film.

Reasons to watch: Knowledge expansion

Reasons to avoid: Bit too much like an art lecture

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes (in painting) 

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? The only recorded named work of Van Gogh which sold during his lifetime was The Red Vineyard at Arles for 400 Belgian francs. However, it would be wrong to say for certain that it is the only painting he sold.

The final word. David Bickerstaff: “It was such a joy to witness how unique each version of the Sunflowers really was, evidence of Van Gogh’s exuberance for experimentation. This cinematic journey brought the sunflowers series into sharper focus for me and revealed a new insight to the tragic circumstances that followed." Albie Media

 

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