The Rake’s progress: last week in gossip

Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories.

The London art world was out in force for the opening of Sue Webster and Tim Noble’s show at Blain | Southern last week. Through his glass of champagne, the Rake spotted the likes of painter Henry Hudson, chef Mark Hix, Alan Yentob (obviously) and Tracey Emin in attendance.

The last opted to continue the revelry at the afterparty at Bodega Negra in Soho, where guests were treated to a DJ set from dance music legend Andrew Weatherall. The party lasted deep into the night, when suddenly the music cut out and the remaining guests – Emin included – were urged off the premises by a formidable lady who announced herself as Sue Webster’s mother. Nice to see the YBAs are still observing their bedtimes…

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Terry Deary, author of the Horrible Histories children’s books, is living up to his own brand name. Asked in who his ‘bête noire of the moment’ was, the author and broadcaster immediately replied: ‘Lucy Worsley. Her posh little voice, her insistence on play-acting and thinking her performances are actually quality drama. The fact she’s head of the royal palaces, which should all be left to rot anyway.’ Charming.

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The Rake draws your attention to a novel spin on ‘Donaldism’ – ‘draws’ being the operative word. When signing his executive order on migration last week, the president lifted it to the cameras to underline its significance. Alas for the Donald, a new Twitter parody account called @TrumpDraws has been doctoring recent footage to replace the text on the proudly brandished document with childlike doodles. So far, the account (bio: ‘Im the President and I like to draw’) has given us, among other things, imaginings of how he might depict his private plane…

my plane pic.twitter.com/o7jDiam0vP

— Trump Draws (@TrumpDraws) February 3, 2017

A ‘dinosar’…

dinosar pic.twitter.com/R629EU9WDh

— Trump Draws (@TrumpDraws) February 1, 2017

And a really rather delightful self portrait:

me pic.twitter.com/R64NwAYGKu

— Trump Draws (@TrumpDraws) January 31, 2017

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On a related note, Richard Prince has been tirelessly tweeting his opposition to the Trump presidency, even disowning a work of his that featured a depiction of the Leader of the Free World’s daughter, Ivanka. On Monday, however, he revealed that Ivanka may since have attempted to hold out an olive branch, inviting him, so he claims, to visit the White House ‘to talk about art’

Ivanka & her husband Jarred have invited me to Washington to talk about art and “it’s possibilities.” I’m serious. No joke. No foolin. P&Q’s

— Richard Prince (@RichardPrince4) February 6, 2017

Alas, it seems unlikely that Prince will accept the honour…

I told Ivanka I’m just a jeepster for your love. She asked me, “is that a yes?”

— Richard Prince (@RichardPrince4) February 6, 2017

Got a story for Rakewell? Get in touch at rakewell@apollomag.com or via @Rakewelltweets.