Oxford Daytripping

It’s easy to feel you’ve stepped back in time whilst walking through this picturesque city, the magnificent architecture dominates the well kept streets and gargoyle faces peer down from castle turrets and church spires. The richness of detail on these imaginative buildings creates a romantic buzz. And the emblem of the world’s most famous University is spread across the city, decorating the old stone walls.
The nostalgic theme continues with the impressive number of bikes lining the streets, schoolchildren, businessmen and shop assistants all cycle through the cobbled streets.

First stop was the Pitt Rivers museum, hidden behind the Natural History museum, I made my way past hundreds of shimmering butterflies, sparkling gemstones and a life size T Rex.

After my encounter with the dinosaurs I found myself in the small dark museum, thousands of relics from across the world were crammed into glass cabinets. Egyptian mummies, Chinese foot bandages, Red Indian headdresses and jewellery were piled up high. This extensive collection would be fascinating for anyone with an interest in historical artefacts, or from an artistic view, the diversity of the items provides an inspiring and thought provoking experience.

Next on the list was a trip to the Ashmolean Gallery, where classical paintings and sculptures sit alongside intricate tapestries and carved musical instruments. After having a strange conversation with a bored gallery attendant about how the creepy paintings come alive at night, I needed a break, so stopped to take a few pictures, this one was my favourite:


The last stop was the Museum of Modern Art and a special exhibition of artist Stella Vine, whose kitsch and cartoonish style portraits have created a bit of a stir in the art world. The gallery was similar in style to a church, and the light open spaces provided an emotive canvas for her work. Her naïve and girly painting style is contrasted by a darker almost sinister undertone. Crude paintings of Kate Moss, Courtney Love and Princess Diana show the tragic side of their lives, and sit next to Wonder women and other Superheroes, cynically addressing our celebrity obsessed culture, the relationship between these characters and the troubled past of the artist. It was enlightening to hear what people thought of the collection and both positive and negative opinions were aired. The success of Stella Vine has a lot to do with the debates her art has encouraged. This stimulating artwork has different effects and meanings to everyone, and is something everyone can and should experience.