Barry Flanagan hare no more

I was a great fan of Barry Flanagan who died on 31st August. He was renowned for his hares that graced many a public space. I remember once going into his gallery in London (Waddington in Cork Street) and seeing a very unlike sculpture of his; a marble amorphous shape which rather took my fancy. On enquiring the price I was told it was 3,500 pounds. Some years later I was passing the gallery and thought I'd go in and ask about the piece once more. After much scurrying around they asked me to go down into the dungeons of the building and identify the piece. This I did and found it looking rather sorry for itself but still wonderful in my eyes. Again, I enquired the price: 7,000 pounds they formally said. I think I tried to negotiate but they were having none of it. Unfortunately I didn't give in to my desires, on that occasion. It probably is still in the bowels of the Waddington Gallery; if they read this they can contact me if they want to do a deal.

 

This last few days saw Barry and Keith Waterhouse depart this mortal world. Both great characters of their generation. Keith was of the write, drink and socialise generation; a wonderful set of characters who used to expend their creative energies all morning and expand their physical girths all afternoon (I remember it well!). Where are the new characters? Out there I hope, if so, let me know.