The Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture in the picturesque Mid Wales village of Berriew celebrates its 25th anniversary from August 27-29.
Opened on August Bank Holiday 1991, the museum houses a glittering selection of Logan’s distinctive sculptures and jewellery with pieces large and small. Original costumes and memorabilia from his renowned Alternative Miss World pageants are also on display alongside his signature mirror wall portraits, a giant Cosmic Egg, a ‘shrine’ to the late Divine - one of many works inspired by the artist’s friends and muses and other dazzling treasures.
On the same August Bank Holiday weekend this year, Logan looks to capture the excitement of the opening 25 years ago. “We had such a wonderful time at the museum opening that we thought it would be wonderful to do another one!” he said. “We’ll be entertaining with surprise events and afternoon tea and a re-opening!’”
Logan began his prolific work in the 1960s, after graduating from Oxford with a diploma in architecture. His distinctive artworks have been exhibited worldwide for the past 40 years and at the museum, early sculptures such as ‘The Morning Glory Throne’, created for his first one-man show, can now be seen in Gallery 1.
Outside the museum, an enormous Red Rose, originally one of many, was salvaged from his 1974 sculpture garden at the now legendary Biba store in Kensington High Street.
More giant flowers in the form of huge metal Irises are trophies from the 1981 Alternative Miss World. They were also used in an early ballet called ‘The Mayfly’ choreographed by Lynn Seymour, one of Logan’s many muses. “The museum is filled with people I have known and loved,” said Logan.
Celebrated performer Divine, immortalised on screen by John Waters, was Logan’s first inspiration for realist portraiture. Many pieces at the Museum of Sculpture are inspired by Divine, who was a close friend.
Following Divine’s death, several pieces from his own collection of Logan’s work were bequeathed to the museum from his estate. Poignantly, the museum also owns an oil painting of Divine when he was 18 years old, painted by his father, Harris Milstead.
Logan’s muses are often reimagined as mythical deities. Examples include The Three Graces: Welsh artist and writer Molly Parkin, with daughters Sophie and Sarah, Rajas Zandra (rajas meaning ‘spirit of movement’), applying literally to this life-sized, moving sculpture of fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes.
The late painter Luciana Martinez, photographer and collaborator Robyn Beeche, actor Jenny Runacre and Logan’s own family are amongst his many inspirations fused with the elements and planets plus strong influences from Logan’s extensive travels.
On March 25, 1972, Andrew acted as host and hostess at his first, intimate Andrew Logan’s Alternative Miss World at his studio in Hackney. Twelve Alternative Miss World competitions have occurred since, the most recent selling-out Shakespeare’s Globe in October, 2014 and returning there in the autumn of 2018.
Alternative Miss World Crown Jewels, costumes and 20ft long crowning robes on display at the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture were recently showcased in Wales when they adorned volunteers escorting winners of 2015’s Visual Arts Awards at the National Eisteddfod held in Meifod, close to the museum.
Berriew is an unexpected location for such a venture, but the museum and Andrew have a place in the hearts of local residents through the work of the organisation over the years.
From workshops there are Logan inspired pieces of work in many homes across the borderland. From school visits enthused youngsters have grown up taking Andrew’s message of joy out to the wider world. From events ALMoS has gained many friends, now embraced as part of the museum’s family.
Since 1991, many luminaries and, of course, muses have travelled to Berriew to visit, including the Rocky Horror Show’s Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn, Brian Eno, Anita Pallenberg, Mavis Nicholson, Molly Parkin, Fenella Fielding, Rula Lenska and Amanda Barrie, to name just a few.
There will once again be luminaries at the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture with more events and happenings to be announced. The annual re-opening Jewellery performance extravaganza will occur on Sunday, August 28 at the museum at 6pm, with music by Andy D. Other activities will take place from the Saturday, August 27.
“It’s wonderful to have had a joyous imprint on people’s lives!” said Logan. “Thanks to all those who have worked hard to make this possible”.
The museum is open 12pm to 4pm on Easter weekends, Saturdays and Sundays throughout June, July, August and September and by arrangement. Entry is £3 (concessions £1.50). Family tickets are available. http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Welshpool-Andrew-Logan-Museum-of-Sculpture/details/?dms=3&venue=1021856
EVENTS
Art in the Pews – St Beuno’s Church, Berriew Saturday, August 27 from 12 noon to 6pm and Sunday, August 28 from 1pm to 4pm. Admission £1 donation to include drink and a biscuit.
‘Celebration’: an exhibition of work by local artists from founder member of the Brotherhood of Ruralists Graham Arnold, photo-realist pioneer John Salt, equestrian artist Eva Dutton and Andrew Logan to name but some of those whose work will be on display.
ALMoS Travelling Museum – Berriew Show
Music, making and merriment from ALMoS at the Berriew Show on Saturday, August 27 from 12 noon to 5pm. £5 entry to Berriew Show.
Fun and Games – street party outside the Talbot Inn, Berriew on Saturday, August 27 from 6pm onwards.
School of Noise – Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture on Sunday, August 28 from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Experimental Sound workshops, encouraging the exploration of noise, sound and music. There is no need to have experience of playing music or using equipment to take part in the workshops and they are open to people of all abilities “School of Noise is a brilliant idea, introducing children to a world of sound and the machinery to make it” reported Q Mag
Brian Eno’s Bells of Berriew – St Beuno’s Churchyard and ALMoS on Sunday, August 28 from 11am on the hour, every hour to 6pm and a special ‘live’ performance with the Church Bell-Ringers at 4pm.
ALMoS patron Brian Eno has created a very special piece of music for the 25th anniversary. Taking a recording of the Bell Ringers of Berriew, he has shaped it into a noticeably recognisable Eno production which will sound out over Berriew.
Afternoon Tea and Treasure Hunt – from ALMoS on Sunday, August 28 at 4.30pm.
£5 entry fee for the treasure hunt
After the excitement of Brian Eno, we’ll be offering afternoon tea. If it’s more excitement you’re after, enter our ‘treasure’ hunt and you might win the special silver Andrew produced prize!
Jewellery Show – Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture on Sunday, August 28 at 6pm. £5 to include drink.
The legendary Jewellery Show and annual re-opening of the museum. If you have not yet experienced an Andrew Logan Jewellery performance, you must be here. Guaranteed grinning.
Sir Dancealot Ceilidh – The Community Centre, Berriew on Sunday, August 28 at 8.30pm. Admission £7.
For over 10 years, Sir Dancealot have been in demand for ceilidhs and twmpathau around Mid Wales and the Borders. With a core repertoire of English and Welsh traditional music, they draw on various other European and North American traditions to create a unique style of exuberant, foot-tapping ceilidh music.
Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture on Monday, August 29 from 12 noon to 4pm.
£3 adults, £1.50 concs, £8 family (two adults, two children)
Permanent exhibits and new special edition silver alphabet brooch collection, with selected works available for purchase.
Expect a few surprises over the weekend too. For updates become a friend on Facebook ‘Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture’!
For regional press enquiries please contact Anne-Marie Pope on almos@andrewloganmuseum.org 01686 640 689 / 07813 885 906
Editor's Notes:
1. Born in Witney, Oxfordshire in 1945, Andrew Logan qualified in architecture in the late 1960s and has worked across the fields of sculpture, stage design, drama, opera, parades, festivals and interior design. To him, “Art can be discovered anywhere.” Logan crosses cultures and embodies artistic fantasy in a unique and unprecedented way. His work is the art of popular poetry and metropolitan glamour. From his early fame amongst London’s fashionable crowd, he has become an influential artist of international stature, with exhibitions and installations as far afield as Los Angeles (USA), Monterrey (Mexico), St Petersburg (Russia) and Mumbai (India).
2. Andy D has been a music director and performer at many Andrew Logan Jewellery Shows from 1991 and on Air, Fire and Void Alternative Miss World's. The music for Void was performed live with Russell Penn and Doris Alloy.
3. The Eisteddfod is Wales’ leading festival held annually during the first week of August, it is the pinnacle of the Welsh cultural calendar, travelling from place to place, alternating between north and south Wales giving communities across the country a chance to welcome up to 160,000 visitors over an eight day period. An eclectic mix of old and new, the traditional and the modern, the Eisteddfod is a celebration of Wales, its culture and its language. Combining ceremonial and official activities with a dynamic, young spirited and welcoming festival, it offers something for everyone – whatever their ages and interests.
4. All previous Alternative Miss World contests are the subject of feature-length documentary ‘The British Guide to Showing Off’, directed by Jes Benstock, which premiered in 2011, screened on BBC2 in December 2014 and is available on DVD.
http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Welshpool-Andrew-Logan-Museum-of-Sculpture/details/?dms=3&venue=1021856
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