Dining with Picasso : Art Gallery of NSW

“For me, a picture is the sum of destruction. I make a painting, and then destroy it.” Pablo Picasso.

A couple of years back, in the heart of a European winter, I took a trip from Barcelona to Paris – an overnight train trip. At each end of that trip I took a day to explore the work of artist Pablo Picasso. I had seen a little of his work – some individual pieces – before. Yes, I had enjoyed each of them, but they hadn’t really spoken to me. Then, in Barcelona and Paris, gazing upon such a large number of pieces from his extraordinary body of work, I started to understand. I took a journey, my heart filled, and the picture became clearer as I travelled with Picasso from his early works through each of the distinctive periods: The Blue Period, The Rose Period, Analytical Cubism, Synthetic Cubism, the Neoclassical Period, Surrealism, through the War Years and his Late Period.

“If the progress of 20th-century art was to be defined by the achievements of a single individual, that individual would indisputably be Picasso.” Edmund Capon, director, Art Gallery of NSW.

Today, I rediscovered his journey at home in Sydney, with Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris.

“This is the great Picasso show to which we have often aspired but not yet achieved in Australia. Make the most of it because we will never have such a show again. Seven decades of Picasso’s relentless work, capturing every phase of his extraordinary career …” Edmund Capon, director, Art Gallery of NSW.

Made possible only by the closure of the Musée National Picasso in Paris for renovations, the Art Gallery of NSW is the only venue in Australia on the exhibition’s world tour. The exhibition runs from 12 November 2011 – 25 March 2012.

On my visit today I relaxed and enjoyed a delicious Spanish inspired fiesta, in the Art Gallery of NSW restaurant, prior to meandering around the exhibition.

Lunch with Picasso is available every day throughout the exhibition from 12 midday and includes a two course Spanish-inspired lunch in The Restaurant, a glass of Spanish wine, and entry to Picasso exhibition from 10am. Some of the selection enjoyed by myself and my friends today is pictured below.

Rebecca Varidel was a guest of Trippas White Group and the Art Gallery of NSW

High Tea with Picasso is available every day throughout the exhibition from 2pm and includes a traditional High Tea (a selection of sandwiches and assorted savouries and sweets – coffee and tea) in The Restaurant and entry to the Picasso exhibition from 10am.

The Art Gallery of NSW (Restaurant)
Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

+61 2 9225 1700

http://www.artgalleryrestaurant.com.au/

http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/picasso/

Tickets are available at http://www.ticketek.com.au