A small and intriguing exhibition pulled mostly from the Courtauld’s own collection, Art and Artifice dives into the world of artistic fakes and forgeries. The Courtauld Owns Fakes? Put simply, yes. Most major institutions probably do, whether they know it or not. Not just the ones with Old Masters, either: most fakes produced today are […]
A broad undertaking, A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography brings together artists from across the African continent to explore points of commonality and difference. A World In Common: Contemporary African Photography Now here is a Tate exhibition I can get on board with. Although I really liked Isaac Julien: What Freedom is to Me […]
The Barbican’s timely survey of Carrie Mae Weems’ work is a perfect introduction for UK audiences to Weems’ immense talent and reflections on the Black experience. Carrie Mae Weems This is the third monographic exhibition of a female artist’s work in a row for the Barbican. Late last year we had Carolee Schneemann: Body Politics, […]
A derelict Victorian train station waiting room is a perfect host for an installation about time and memory in Sarah Sze’s The Waiting Room. An Unusual Commute Here is a space I’ve never been in before. I pass through Peckham Rye Station twice daily on my office days. I’m used to the sight of its […]
A compare and contrast exercise, Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life encourages reflection on the organic origins of abstract art. Hilma Af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms Of Life It seems a strange pairing, to begin with. Two early 20th Century European painters, sure, but a more different set of two artists […]
An exhibition at Tate Britain, The Rossettis: Radical Romantics, shows the family’s romantic side for sure. Are they radical? Maybe in some ways. Is this exhibition as much of a fresh take as it appears to be? The jury is still out. The Rossettis: Radical Romantics Let’s start off with a small word on names. […]
Designed to respond to and expand on a current exhibition at the Royal Academy, Southern Somebodies brings more Black artists from the American South to London. Southern Somebodies Prompted by an interaction with a reader (thank you!), I recently had the opportunity to visit the Gallery of Everything for their exhibition Southern Somebodies. Featuring Black […]
This simple exhibition at the National Gallery tells the story of its simple subject, Saint Francis of Assisi, through art. It paints a picture of the saint as a source of inspiration throughout the centuries, and his continued relevance today. Saint Francis of Assisi I really wanted to catch this small exhibition before it closed, […]
Don’t come if you’re in a hurry, but for those with some time up their sleeves, Isaac Julien: What Freedom is to Me is a stylish and thought-provoking, immersive experience. Isaac Julien I’m coming around a little to film-based art. When I was younger and less patient, I resented the demand on my time. Because, […]
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 […]
