David Plante's Diaries 'Becoming A Londoner' Reveal 1960s Art World Encounters
This month, Bloomsbury will release David Plante's diary volume titled 'Becoming A Londoner', with artcritical providing exclusive excerpts. Since the 1960s, Plante, known for works like 'Difficult Women' and 'The Ghost of Henry James', has documented his experiences in London’s art community alongside his partner, Nikos Stangos. The diaries include interactions with notable personalities such as Michael Craig-Martin and gatherings at Adrian Stokes's residence. Plante shares memories of his friendships with R.B. Kitaj and his wife Sandra, as well as dinners attended by Avigdor Arikha and Kenneth Anger. He also reflects on a birthday celebration for Francis Bacon and his impressions of Anthony Caro's 'Prairie'. A reading from the diaries is set for September 24 at 7pm at the New York Public Library.
Key facts
- David Plante's diary 'Becoming A Londoner' is published by Bloomsbury this month.
- artcritical offers exclusive online extracts from the volume.
- Plante documents London's art world since the 1960s with his partner Nikos Stangos.
- The diaries include encounters with Michael Craig-Martin, Adrian Stokes, and R.B. Kitaj.
- Plante relates Craig-Martin's work to their shared Catholic backgrounds and Jesuit education.
- Adrian Stokes was analyzed by Melanie Klein and knew figures like D.H. Lawrence and Ezra Pound.
- R.B. Kitaj hosted dinners with guests including Avigdor Arikha, Kenneth Anger, and Robert Duncan.
- A reading from the book is set for September 24 at the New York Public Library.
Entities
Artists
- David Plante
- Michael Craig-Martin
- Nikos Stangos
- Adrian Stokes
- William Coldstream
- Barbara Hepworth
- Ben Nicholson
- Naum Gabo
- R.B. Kitaj
- Sandra Kitaj
- Avigdor Arikha
- Anne Arikha
- Kenneth Anger
- Robert Duncan
- Jess Collins
- Raphael Soyer
- Reginald Marsh
- Isabel Bishop
- Kenneth Hayes Miller
- David Hockney
- Francis Bacon
- David Sylvester
- Anthony Caro
- Victor Shklovsky
- Ezra Pound
- Osbert Sitwell
- D.H. Lawrence
- Gertrude Stein
- Matisse
- Picasso
- Whistler
- Sargent
- Stephen Buckley
- Sonia
- Francis
- Ann Stokes
- Ariadne Stokes
- Melanie Klein
- Orioli
- Yeats
Institutions
- artcritical
- Bloomsbury
- Thames & Hudson
- New York Public Library
- Waddington Gallery
- Boston College
- Fordham
- Kasmin Gallery
- New Review
- Fourteenth Street School
- London School of Painters
- Jesuit university
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Providence
- Rhode Island
- Hampstead
- Italy
- Villa Mirenda
- Saint Ives
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Athens
- Greece
- Bond Street
- Church Row
- West End