Before going to see Bob Dylan's paintings I had in mind that he hasn't gone out of his way to be considered a visual artist, it was just something he had done over the years for sake of it. This being the case I entered and didn't consider the art world for the whole time I viewed the paintings. I had no interest in trying to place Dylan in any kind of category; and that is ultimately why I enjoyed viewing these paintings more than I've enjoyed any exhibition since the Chapmans' retrospective in Liverpool.
Many of the pictures originate from Dylan's sketches from the road. These originals have been blown up and Dylan has treated them with colour - often in series to bring out certain things or affect the image differently somehow.
Another title for the series may have been I WAS There, because far from the Todd Haynes post-modern treatment of the mystique which considers the Dylan p.o.v. to be ultimately unattainable, we are here looking *through* Dylan's p.o.v. And what really comes shining through in this exhibition is what I think the film I'm Not There really misses; he is a transitory man, never still for long, but he is just a man within that moment. Anyone who has been to one of his concerts and been moved can tell you he's right there at that moment. 
There's a humble humanity about these pictures. But most of all is Bob's sheer enthusiasm. It calls to mind the clip in Martin Scorsese's film No Direction Home (a far more apt title) where Dylan is stood outside a shop that offers multiple services in 1960s England and he is caught up just firing off as many hilarious combinations of the services and words as he can - he's almost falling over, such is his delight in his play with words. This exhibition is a great reminder about Bob Dylan - you can stroke your beard as much as you want to, he's just out there to delight himself in whatever way he can. And it so happens that he delighted me...Enthusiasm and clear delight in treating each image, so far so good - and enjoyable to see. But the thing that really hooked me was his paintings of women.
His wild enthusiasm is a delight! I smiled so much looking at his pictures of women. He loves them. He's really really taken by them. We knew that from the songs... 'I need something strong to distract my mind, I'm gonna look at you until my eyes turn blind' - testify Bob. I don't care to try and tell you where these paintings stand in terms of the art world; because you simply can't break the tie between Author and Text, and there's no need... you are invited to check out some of the sketches Bob Dylan has knocked up whilst on the road, consider them for what they are and don't project theory on to them. Living by that rule I find it hard to see anyone not enjoying looking at them.
But for me this was great. It reconfirmed something about Bob Dylan - whose art changed me and my whole life - he refuses to be bored, he refuses to be made banal, he refuses to live without colour; he brings drastic washes of vibrant colour. The effect on me of these paintings? Inspirational on their own terms.
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