A large-scale exhibition on modern art at the National Gallery, After Impressionism has some lovely works to offer, but slotted into a narrative that plays it rather safe. And where are the women? A Popular Subject, A Popular Exhibition This is perhaps my own fault: I went on a Saturday afternoon. Please somebody stop me […]
The placement of this exhibition of art by Ai Weiwei in London’s Design Museum prompts us to think about the meanings of art and objects. Ai Weiwei: Making Sense adds ever more layers onto the work of this most famous of Chinese contemporary artists. Ai Weiwei: Making Sense It’s been a while since I’ve ventured […]
A moving exhibition of art from the Southern United States, Souls Grown Deep Like the River is both thought-provoking and revelatory. Souls Grown Deep Like The River I’ve known rivers:I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. The […]
RESOLVE Collective take over the Barbican Curve with them’s the breaks, a participatory installation and public programme which looks under the surface of systems and institutions. them’s the breaks There’s something very different on in the Barbican’s Curve space at the moment. Although, to be fair, the exhibitions here are always varied and challenging. But […]
A wonderful selection of works in a modern, spacious exhibition space – Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance feels like a very special moment indeed. Bringing Donatello To South Kensington I didn’t realise what a special exhibition this one was until I saw it. I had some time before a theatre press night to go to the […]
A lovingly curated exhibition makes evident the wit and skill of Simon Pettet: gifted potter and sometime partner to Dennis Severs. Combine it with theatrical experience Simon’s Story for best effect. Dennis Severs And Simon Pettet If you live in London and haven’t yet visited Dennis Severs’ House, I have one question for you: why […]
A small exhibition at the National Gallery on beauty and satire, The Ugly Duchess raised more questions for me than it answered, but did at least get me thinking. The Ugly Duchess: Beauty And Satire In The Renaissance I do love a one room exhibition at the National Gallery, but haven’t been for a while. […]
The largest exhibition to date in the UK of work by Alice Neel, this exhibition at the Barbican celebrates an artist who did things her own way. Warning: some images below NSFW. Alice Neel I very much enjoyed learning more about Alice Neel in Alice Neel: Hot Off the Griddle, the current exhibition at the […]
A group exhibition at No. 20 Arts in Islington challenges us to question our perceptions. Bright colours, a range of materials and messages of hopefulness herald the season in Spring Again, Spring Ahead. Spring Again, Spring Ahead It’s a pleasure to once more be at No. 20 Arts in Islington. This gallery in a former […]
Continuing my exploration of Tate exhibitions of female sculptors, Maria Bartuszová’s works in plaster combine the solid and the ephemeral in pleasingly natural forms. Maria Bartuszová I wrote recently when I went to see Magdalena Abakanowicz: Every Tangle of Thread and Rope about the Tate’s efforts to exhibit the work of female sculptors. Why sculptors […]