2022 - Issue 42
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
I specifically went to see the static Stochastic painting by Emily Kraus (@emily_kraus_). Her man-made machine works have a hypnotic glitch effect that I find mesmerising, like staring into the Matrix. This show perfectly complements it (well, the half of it that was on display, that is) with a constantly rotating ‘The Salamander’s Cauldron’ by William Darrell (@williamdarrell). They’re joined by Amba Sayal-Bennett (@AmbaSayalBennett) and Rafał Zajko (@rafal_zajko) who make what look like spaceship props from a 1970’s sci-fi series (not pictured). And that’s just half of this small group show that will leave you wanting more. At least I did.
‘My Mother Was a Computer’ at Indigo+Madder (@indigoplusmadder) until 19 Nov
The annual ING Discerning Eye (@INGDiscerningEye) show promotes “the sale of domestic scale artworks… that anyone with an interested eye could easily fit in their home.” New and/or budget-minded collectors won’t want to miss it. There’s an overabundance of technical talent and it’s incredibly well priced, with many great works for a few hundred quid.
Personally I found that most of the work plays it safe, but don’t let that put you off. There are hundreds of high quality artists on display. Even if you don’t like what’s on the wall you’ll surely walk away with more than a few new names to keep an eye on.
Here’s half a dozen that I’m following:
1️⃣ Yurim Gough (@yurimgough): OK Google — ceramic, 37 x 33 x 14 cm
2️⃣ Fiona McIntyre (@mcintyre6381) — Etching and drypoint onto copper plates, 50 x 50 cm
3️⃣ Lisa Wright (@lisawrightart): Magnetic Pull — acrylic on paper, 45 x 37 cm
4️⃣ Dido Hallett (@hallettdido): 78 — oil on canvas, 45 x 50 cm
5️⃣ Ben Ark (@benarkart): Levelling up — 34 x 46 x 4 cm
6️⃣ Gregory Rankine (@GregoryRankineArtist): The Visitors — oil on canvas, 18 x 12 cm each
‘2022 Exhibition’ at Mall Galleries (@mallgalleries) until 20 Nov
Art is allowed to be whimsical, so Mamali Shafahi (@mamali_shafahi) makes sculptures that look like discarded props from a scary fun fair ride. They’re filled with fantastical imagery, often inspired by stories from his 70-something father. One even has what looks to be a muscle bound penguin! Coated with car paint and fuzzy flocking, you’ll want to reach out and touch the details. What’s not to love?
‘Deep Throats: How Deep is your Love?’ at Vitrine Fitzrovia (@vitrinegallery) until 17 Dec
The seven artists in this group show explore sustainability in art, primarily using raw pigments and plants to create organic works that look, feel and occasionally smell as if they’ve walked right from the forest and onto the gallery wall. Many individual materials in these works have stories just as interesting as the artworks they’re a part of, so be sure to ask for the explanations.
You can see it all on Platform 1 (literally) at Wandsworth Common train station, in what used to be the Ladies Waiting Room. Catch it on your commute, or go out of your way to stop by. I thought it was worth it.
Note: train tickets aren’t needed to enter the platform.
‘Synergy’ at Platform 1 Gallery (@platform1gallery) until 18 Dec
Feeling and looking very much like someone crammed the RA Summer Show into prison cell sized spaces, the 60th anniversary of the Koestler Arts (@KoestlerArts) awards covers every possible topic, medium and emotion you would expect from the visual arts. The lighting under hot bright lights in the sometimes claustrophobic space is an intentional nod to the fact that all the work was made by people in the criminal justice system.
Curator Ai Weiwei, who has been imprisoned himself, wanted to “show how humanity responds when put in extreme circumstances”. Though posted anonymously, it’s impossible not to see the emotions of the makers when looking at their artistic expressions. You’ll laugh and cry, see contrition and despair, and more often than not, be impressed
Many of the works are for sale, with 25% of the proceeds going to Victim Support and 50% to the artist. And yes, I bought the two penguin ceramics.
‘Freedom’ at Southbank Centre (@southbankcentre) until 18 Dec
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Visit koestlerarts.org.uk to learn more about the charity, and click this link for full details about this year’s exhibition.
PLUS — don’t forget to check my What’s On page so you don’t miss any of the other great art shows closing soon.