Latest news with #RadicalHonesty
The Guardian
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Robbie Williams: Radical Honesty review – ‘Tone deaf, self-important, incredibly bad art'
F or a while there, Robbie Williams was pretty damn insistent that he would just rock all night, DJ. But artistic geniuses cannot live on rock alone, and the former boyband superstar has been looking for other ways to satisfy his pangs of creative hunger. And judging by the awkward, anxious paintings and sculptures here at Moco – London's newest 'museum' – it's art that he's decided to stuff his face with. The big printed canvases of computerised line drawings on the walls are filled with therapy speak, greeting card banter and patronising, meaningless affirmations. An aeroplane flying across a blue sky pulls a banner that reads: 'Yes you are self centred, but what a marvellous self to be centred on.' And my stomach starts turning. The words 'roses are red, violets are blue, everyone's a dickhead except you' are written across a cassette tape, while bubble font spells out: 'I'm sorry about being incredibly charasmatic [sic] I tried to not be but there was nothing I could do about it.' 'Every direction leads to a hell where the guy from Take That is giving you life advice' … Radical Honesty. Photograph: Justin Piperger Fortunately, he's provided an 'introvert chair' where you can 'take a moment to ground yourself and breathe' if all of this powerful, insightful personal philosophy gets too much for you. Exactly what every introvert wants, a single armchair in the middle of an art gallery. And somehow, somehow , that's still not the worst thing in Radical Honesty, as the show is called. No, the worst thing is an image of a signpost with 'you and your limiting self beliefs' to the left and 'the life you still could have' to the right. A fork in the road – with every direction leading to a hell where the guy from Take That is giving you life advice. And there's more – from an ambient soundtrack of new age chillout music to a big vinyl on the wall that reads: 'You are comfortable feeling uncomfortable. Change that.' A paragraph on another wall ends: 'Consider this your reminder: the voice in your head matters. Make sure it's speaking to you with kindness.' Look, Williams is clearly dealing with some heavy stuff but the work does not seem to fully convey this. A giant hoodie is covered in pockets embroidered with the names of mental health medications; an image of a grinning old lady seems to be the embodiment of his anxiety. A series of canvases show him being awkward at parties, wanting to leave, or staring at himself in the mirror saying: 'I forgive you for being a dickhead.' But how much do you care that a mega-millionaire and ultra-successful singer has social anxiety? Do you get a sense of kinship from knowing that a celebrity doesn't feel comfortable at parties? I think it feels tone deaf and self-important. He's not well – and being vulnerable and open in public is to be commended. But to present it as art, in a gallery, is to say you think this has aesthetic merit, cultural value. 'To present this as art, in a gallery, is to say you think this has aesthetic merit' … Radical Honesty at Moco, London. Photograph: Justin Piperger On a basic, artistic level, the work looks bad and expresses incredibly superficial ideas very poorly. It's a 'live, laugh, love' sign slowly strangling you with its self-importance. It's an Instagram self-help quote attacking your brain and eyes. It is incredibly bad art: so earnest, so superficial, it's barely even funny. Poor Williams should never have been put in a position to have the ticket-buying art public come face to face with them. And yes, it does feels a bit silly to be taking the art of Robbie Williams this seriously. He's a pop star, not an artist, and maybe it's unfair to view his work in the wider context of modern and contemporary art. Ronnie Wood and Chrissie Hynde are also rockers who double as awful painters and I'm not going after them. But Williams's work is being presented in a gallery that is keen to position itself as a legitimate art museum, that thinks its collection of second-rate Warhols and Basquiats that they charge you £20 to see puts it on a level with all of London's incredible and free art institutions. And now they're asking you to see Robbie Williams on a par with Jeff Koons and Tracey Emin. Greeting card banter … Radical Honesty. Photograph: Justin Piperger Maybe this is what we deserve. Maybe this is what happens when the arts are decimated, when funding is stripped from vital, high-quality spaces. It leaves a vacuum that invariably gets filled with rubbish, with cynical 'immersive' installations, with Van Gogh and Klimt 'experiences' and David Hockney light shows, with people trying to fleece you and call it art in the process. Williams once famously asked: 'Does an angel contemplate my fate?' No idea, mate. But this art critic does – and he really hopes it doesn't involve any more exhibitions. At Moco, London
Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Robbie Williams: My art? It's 25 minutes then, boom, on to the next one
He has sold more than 75 million records, won 18 Brit awards, feuded with Oasis and had at least one romantic relationship with a Spice Girl. It is little wonder, then, that Robbie Williams, 51, feels he has 'completed music'. So, for the past few years, the Angels singer has turned more and more of his attention to art. Armed with an iPad and no formal training, Williams is prolific. 'I've got 3,000 of these [pictures]. Like, I did five yesterday,' he said as he launched his latest exhibition, Radical Honesty,at the Moco Museum in Marble Arch, central London, last Thursday. He is not an artist who agonises over his oeuvre. While Leonardo da Vinci took approximately 16 years to paint the Mona Lisa, Williams said he takes 20-25 minutes per picture. As for the art training, he said: 'I haven't got the time and I haven't got the inclination. I have too many ideas … I have the idea for the speech [the text on each art work], I knock up the thing behind it, the thing that takes 20 minutes, 25 minutes to draw, boom, I move on to the next one.' Showcased at a gallery that has exhibited works by artists such as Marina Abramovic and Banksy, Williams's pictures focus on mental health and social awkwardness. One features the text: 'Give your anxiety a silly name. Mine is called Blanche.' Another, captioned 'Radical honesty at the social event', says: 'To be completely honest, I'm not sure if we are friends or we've just been in the same room a lot in [the] last 15 years'. A third depicts a cassette tape on which Williams, who is dyslexic, has written: 'Just because you're dyslexic, doesn't mean you're not stupid.' The singer was pleased to see his works displayed. 'When I do these on the iPad, they're obviously very small images and to see them in such a great size now and feel — from my humble perspective, which has been pointed out, is not that humble — they can actually stand alone at this size. It just feels really good. I can imagine them in people's houses.' Although Williams has not priced his latest works, a picture he did with his friend, the interior designer Ed Godrich, sold for £40,000 at Sotheby's in 2022. He intends to sell his latest exhibited artworks for a similarly high price. 'We haven't commercialised them yet, but I'm f***ing gonna. I think that what you do with the big ones, you know, the ones that stand alone, they won't be priced accessibly. They will be accessible to rich people.' Cheaper prints will also be available. • Williams is not the first musician to exhibit their art — David Bowie, Joni Mitchell and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones have also staged exhibitions. The former Take That star credits his friend, the artist David Hockney, who also uses the iPad to draw, for empowering him and showing him that the tablet is a worthy medium. The singer said: 'When I was at school [in Stoke-on-Trent], you were either Picasso or Magritte or Constable or you're not an artist, there was no representation then … The arts was a middle-class thing, and then Banksy arrives and graffiti arrives and it's punk … Because of Banksy, I went: 'Oh, art's not necessarily Constable.' ' The artworks in the exhibition address Williams's contradictory thirst for attention and fame and social awkwardness. The singer, who lives in Kensington, west London, and is married to the American actress Ayda Field, 45, finds respite with his family. The couple have four children — Theodora, 12, Charlton, 10, Colette, 6, and Beau, 5. He said: 'There is a definite concentration level that is beyond where I'm comfortable when I'm anywhere other than with my wife, the kids or my very, very, very good friends. And even still with some of my very, very, very good friends, when I'm a feeling a particular way, I might feel uncomfortable around them too.' Ever the creative polymath, Williams has set his sights on launching a 'creative university', where he would like to teach young artists and entertainers the skills they really need ('everything that I should have known when I signed a contract the first time I signed a contract in Take That') rather than simply focusing on performance. Williams added: 'I mean, I kind of completed music. I love it and I'll be writing songs and everything, but I think I want to teach people how to be managers, agents. I want to teach them how to do their own merchandise. I want to teach them how to be front-of-house. I want to teach them how to talk to people, how to behave in the room.'
Perth Now
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Robbie Williams wants to set up 'creative university'
Robbie Williams wants to set up a "creative university". The 'Angels' singer - who was just 16 years old when he joined Take That - thinks he has "completed music" and is now keen to teach young artists and performers the skills they need off stage in order to be successful and in control of their own careers. He told the Sunday Times newspaper he would students to learn "everything that I should have known when I signed a contract the first time I signed a contract in Take That." He added: 'I mean, I kind of completed music. I love it and I'll be writing songs and everything, but I think I want to teach people how to be managers, agents. I want to teach them how to do their own merchandise. I want to teach them how to be front-of-house. I want to teach them how to talk to people, how to behave in the room.' The 51-year-old star - who has children Teddy, 12, Charlie, 10, Coco, six, and five-year-old Beau with wife Ayda Field - often feels awkward around other people, even some of his closest friends. He said: 'There is a definite concentration level that is beyond where I'm comfortable when I'm anywhere other than with my wife, the kids or my very, very, very good friends. "And even still with some of my very, very, very good friends, when I'm a feeling a particular way, I might feel uncomfortable around them too.' Robbie has just opened his latest art exhibition, 'Radical Honesty', and he is planning to sell the works for a hefty sum. He said: 'We haven't commercialised them yet, but I'm f****** gonna. I think that what you do with the big ones, you know, the ones that stand alone, they won't be priced accessibly. They will be accessible to rich people.' The 'Let Me Entertain You' hitmaker creates his works on an iPad in just 25 minutes and has no interest in further honing his skills with formal training. He said: 'I haven't got the time and I haven't got the inclination. I have too many ideas … I have the idea for the speech [the text on each art work], I knock up the thing behind it, the thing that takes 20 minutes, 25 minutes to draw, boom, I move on to the next one.'
Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Robbie Williams: My art? It's 25 minutes then, boom, onto the next one
He has sold more than 75 million records, won 18 Brit awards, feuded with Oasis and had at least one romantic relationship with a Spice Girl. It is little wonder, then, that Robbie Williams, 51, feels he has 'completed music'. So, for the past few years, the Angels singer has turned more and more of his attention to art. Armed with an iPad and no formal training, Williams is prolific. 'I've got 3,000 of these [pictures]. Like, I did five yesterday,' he said as he launched his latest exhibition, Radical Honesty,at the Moco Museum in Marble Arch, central London, last Thursday. He is not an artist who agonises over his oeuvre. While Leonardo da Vinci took approximately 16 years to paint the Mona Lisa
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Melanie C reveals certain Spice Girls ‘need more convincing' to join 2026 reunion tour as formal planning begins
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IN years gone by, it has been Mel B who has let slip the Spice Girls reunion secrets, but this time it's Melanie C who cannot keep her gob shut. The Sun told this week how they are planning a massive tour in 2026 to celebrate 30 years since debut single Wannabe was released. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Sporty Spice has revealed certain members have needed more 'convincing' than others for the 2026 reunion tour Credit: PA:Press Association Now Sporty Spice has had her say, revealing certain members have needed more 'convincing' than others, with Victoria Beckham currently not set to take part. She is expected to keep out of it just like she did with their sell-out 2019 reunion tour, but Geri Halliwell-Horner has also needed some persuading, which is why she is meeting with the band's manager Simon Fuller in Miami. Speaking on the No Filter with Kate Langbroek podcast, Mel C said: 'Next year is a big year for us and we have to acknowledge it in some way. 'So we are talking about what that's going to look like and for me, Melanie, I know for sure, and Emma [Bunton], we'd be back on stage. But sometimes other people need a little bit more convincing.' On the prospect of all five members being back on stage together for the first time since 2012, she said: 'It would be the best thing ever, ever, ever. And sometimes it feels like a duty to the world. 'When we did the shows in 2019, it brought so much joy to so many people. Not everybody likes the Spice Girls but loads of people do. 'We're living in this weird world right now. There's so much negativity and mad s**t going on. Let's all spice up our lives.' And talking about Mel B, she added, ironically: 'We've decided now we're not going to tell Mel anything because she can't keep her mouth shut. 'So don't listen to Mel B because she doesn't know, because we're not telling her.' Robbie on Lemon aid CELEBS flocked to support Robbie Williams as he launched his new art exhibition in London. Mel B drops biggest clue yet that Spice Girls are reuniting with cryptic comment on Instagram The Let Me Entertain You singer showed off his collection and posed for snaps with guests, including telly funnyman Keith Lemon. 7 Celebs flocked to support Robbie Williams as he launched his new art exhibition in London Credit: Getty Louis Theroux and Maxim from The Prodigy were also there to check out his show called Radical Honesty, at London's Moco Museum. Reflecting on his show, Robbie said: 'In a world obsessed with keeping it together, embracing chaos may be the most radical thing you can do.' ED SCORES HAT-TRICK AT IPSWICH ED SHEERAN has a summer treat for fans with a trio of homecoming gigs featuring a host of special guests. The singer, whose new album Play is due out in September, will perform at his beloved Ipswich FC's Portman Road stadium, close to where he grew up. 7 Ed Sheeran has a summer treat for fans with a trio of homecoming gigs featuring a host of special guests Credit: Getty A donation of £1 from each ticket will go to The Live Trust, which helps grassroots music venues. On July 11, he will be supported by Myles Smith and Tori Kelly, followed by Busted and Dylan on July 12 and, lastly, by James Blunt and Maisie Peters on July 13. Tickets for the shows – his first headline dates in the UK since 2023 – will go on general sale at 10am on Friday. METALLICA have announced the re-release of their sixth studio album, Load. The record, which went five times platinum, will come out on June 13. Fans who buy the limited-edition boxset will be treated to a load of exclusive content, with unreleased demos, rough mixes and live performances. Looking Lively BLAKE LIVELY has endured a tricky few months but she looked all white while promoting her new movie. The American actress, who is in a legal wrangle with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, was all smiles in her best spring frock to help push Another Simple Favour, which came out on Prime Video on Thursday. 7 Blake Lively has endured a tricky few months but she looked all white while promoting her new movie Credit: Getty Blake admitted that the very public fall-out with Justin, which won't go to court until next March, has led to a very tough year for her. Speaking on US telly, she explained: 'This year has been full of the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life. 'I see so many women around afraid to speak, afraid to share their experiences. Fear is by design. 'It's what keeps us silent. I acknowledge that many people don't have the opportunity to speak. I feel fortunate that I have been able to.' PEDRO BUILDS UP TO LEGO DEAL PEDRO PASCAL is preparing to release his inner child, after lining up a massive new deal to become the face of Lego. Insiders have told me that the Gladiator II actor is in competition with Timothee Chalamet for the gig, which includes a huge global campaign to promote the plastic bricks. 7 Pedro Pascal is preparing to release his inner child, after lining up a massive new deal to become the face of Lego Credit: The Mega Agency A source added: 'Pedro has been openly talking about this possible new deal with Lego. He absolutely loves the stuff and is keen for his team to secure it. 'Pedro and Timothee were both in the frame but Pedro would absolutely love it – and he's made no secret of it.' The screen hunk previously admitted he tried to nick a Lego minifigure of his character in Disney+ show The Mandalorian when it was still in the development phase. The figurines were apparently locked inside briefcases and only brought out to show people, but cheeky Pedro tried to pull a fast one. He said: 'I was like, 'That's little, that's me, that's mine'. They came for me. They said, 'We need that back'. 'My neighbour came over that day with her young son and I thought, 'No one is going to see this, it's tiny'. 'He was like, 'What's this?'.' If he lands the deal, at least no one can take the Lego away from him again. Best of luck, Pedro. RICHARD: I SAVED KEEF'S LIFE RICHARD BRANSON has revealed he was held at gunpoint by a man looking for Keith Richards – after becoming convinced the rocker was bedding his wife. The bloke was correct, but when he knocked on Richard's door, the businessman saved The Rolling Stones star's bacon by telling a porky. 7 Richard Branson has revealed he was held at gunpoint by a man looking for Keith Richards Credit: PA Speaking to Jayne Middlemiss on Virgin Radio UK yesterday, Richard said: 'I went to the front door. There was this huge guy there and he had a gun. 'He went, 'I've come to kill Keith Richards, he's in your house with my wife'. 'As I was talking to him, I saw a naked Keith Richards and a naked wife running behind him across the lawn. 'I said, 'Put the gun down and you can search the house'. He searched the house, he apologised, he left. 'About an hour later, a naked Keith Richards came back without the wife.' I bet Richard has never let Keith live it down. I wouldn't. ACTOR NCUTI GATWA will deliver the UK's scores during the Eurovision grand final on May 17. The Doctor Who star will follow Joanna Lumley and Catherine Tate who have done the honours in recent years. The ceremony will air straight after a Eurovision-themed Doctor Who special, titled The Interstellar Song Contest. LILY HOME FOR 40TH LILY ALLEN is throwing open the doors of her new house to celebrate her 40th birthday. Presenter Andi Oliver told me she was heading over to the London home of Lily, with her daughter – and Lily's BFF – Miquita, when I caught up with her at an event at Fortnum & Mason in London. 7 Lily Allen is throwing open the doors of her new house to celebrate her 40th birthday Credit: Splash Andi said: 'I will be celebrating Lily turning 40 this weekend. 'My daughter has bought her a greenhouse for the garden of her new home, and we will be there for a party. 'She's fine, she's happy and we will all be there together. It's going to be lots of fun.' With Lily and Miquita about, it's going to be a scream.
