2022 - Issue 26
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
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Image 1 = A beautifully minimal setup of multiple screens set against stark white walls and terraced lime green steps replays past performances from two art collectives: Bloat (@bloatcollective) and All Terrain Training (@all_terrain_training). It’s part art installation, part advert for their live ‘observation & response’ event taking place 7-9pm on 23 July.
‘Sithee’ and ‘Stadium’ at Collective Ending (@collectiveending) until 23 Jul
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Inspired by the Lloyd’s Building, this group show brings together works that “call to mind the insides or outsides, and what it means for them to be reversed”. Their construction and materiality isn’t always obvious, even when you’re quite close. You’ll need more than a lingering peek, but you’ll be well rewarded.
Image 2 = Patrick Michael Fitzgerald (@pmf.studio) + Aidan Duffy (@riddlewrappr)
Image 3 = Andrew North (@aandrew.north)
‘The Room’ at South Parade (@southparade_) until 23 Jul
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Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, a renovated Grade II listed building that was formerly a boiler house and public laundry, is arguably a work of art unto itself. I could spend half a day just exploring the reclaimed machinery and historical brickwork. Currently, most floors are filled with abstract metal sculptures from Virginia Overton (@VirginiaOvertonStudio — Images 4-5) including a giant set of chimes you’re allowed to play.
There’s also a solo show by Steph Huang (@theinvisibleisland — Images 6-7) filled with an eclectic variety of patterns, pig parts and sausage-shaped glass balloons that have been inspired by street markets and the artist’s childhood in Taiwan.
‘Animal Magnetism’ and ‘A Great Increase in Business is on the Way’ at Goldsmiths CCA (@goldsmithscca) until 31 Jul
OPTIONAL: If you’re in the area…
I debated whether to list this show, because it’s mostly filled with the kinds of work I often find tedious: social commentary films that sit awkwardly between video art and lazy documentary; and abstract art that supposedly has deep political meaning, which is impossible to interpret even after you’ve read the often laughable wall text (e.g. “tears and breath on canvas”).
That being said, a few works truly stood out which I’d recommend you go see if you’re already in the area.
Image 8 = Anawana Haloba (@anniehaloba) using her tongue to draw in a pile of salt was oddly mesmerising.
Image 9 = I was disturbed by the casually drawn sacrifice of animal-human hybrids from Misheck Masamvu.
Image 10 = Luana Vitra (@cadeiadecorpo) transposes hunter gatherer traps into geometrically pleasing domestic decor to dismantle notions of survival and protection.
‘The Show Is Over’ at South London Gallery (@southlongallery) until 04 Sep
PLUS — don’t forget to check What’s On so you don’t miss any of the great shows closing soon.