The Magpie

I was intrigued to see a self portrait of Paul Smith, Jack Penate, Quentin Blake and various other well known individuals in the exhibition What am I? at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Although not a single "portrait" in sight, this exhibition is a stunning insight gaging the personality of the individual in a very personal and thoughtful manner. The concept is taken from a Victorian party game in which illustrations provide answers to a series of questions such as: What is your favourite animal? comfort? shoes? and so on. The answers to these questions are fascinating, as is the revelation that to so many people their footwear of preferance is the flip flop.

Aside from the pathetically poor contribution from Eric Clapton, this exhibition although small is insightful, inspiring, rewarding and beautifully uncomplicated.

Students get in free to the Dulwich Picture Gallery