My birthday week was ripe with celebration. Two exhibitions opened and I read from A Humument at the Review Bookshop.

The day itself (once known as Empire Day) was crowned with a splendid dinner given by the Flowers Gallery for ninety guests. I was constantly reminded of those artistic feasts described by Roger Shattuck in The Banquet Years, a fine and favourite book.

Here is the new seventy-five year old surrounded by friends. Stephen Fry is making an elegant speech in the wry fry style. In the foreground is the profile of Nick Serota and betweeen him and me the presiding presence of Angela herself. It was at her little upstairs gallery in Lisle Street that I had my first solo show over forty years ago.

 

This snapshot taken by Mimi Lipton captures a corner of the genial scene and much of its atmosphere.

Tom Phillips has become an infrequent live tweeter. You can follow him from the link at the top right of this page.

The Royal Academy filmed Tom talking about some of the works in his current show at Flowers East (until July 7th). Tom Phillips is also interviewed by Richard Cork in the Summer 2012 issue of RA Magazine, read it here.

Heart of Darkness is nominated for a South Bank Sky Arts Award. Something to (Melvyn) Bragg about. In the opera category we are bitterly pitted against Hector Berlioz in a lavish (and brilliant) production of The Damnation of Faust by my old friend Terry Gilliam. O'Regan versus Berlioz: it's a tough draw. You will hear about it if we win, but expect silence. At least I can look forward on Tuesday 1st May at the Dorchester ceremony to raising a glass as old Hector B shuffles up to Melvyn to accept the prize...

A new website, handsomely styled and edited by Lucy Shortis and Steve Xerri, will appear soon and incorporate this blog. Information to follow: watch this space: do not adjust your set.