who inspired me #2

After Aubrey Beardsley, the second artist to really make an impression on me - and set me on the road to art school - was Bridget Riley.

That may seem rather a large leap, but the connection was always working in black and white (it wasn't until later that Bridget Riley started working with colour).

I revisited Bridget Riley a couple of years ago at the major retrospective at Tate Britain. And, much to my surprise, it was simply one of the best - if not the best - exhibitions I have ever seen. I find there are parallels (which I'm sure are completely unintentional) between her work and the music of Steve Reich. Though, to be fair, my wife thinks the music of Steve Reich is just 'noise'.

Each to their own, I guess.