2023 - Issue 46
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
“Aren’t these from that Disney movie where whats-her-name did the voice?” Blame it on the day-glo colours and plasticine appearance, but that’s the thought I can’t get out of my head when looking at these tiny tentacled snuff boxes by Hannah Lim (@__hannahlim__). She subverts chinoiserie and other Westernised imagery of the Far East as a way to explore identity and race, but I suspect a lot of people might miss that because the works are just too damn cute.
‘The Tiger’s Eye’ at Huxley-Parlour (@huxleyparlour) until 21 Jan
A hazy, otherworldly atmosphere momentarily distracts you from the fact these are essentially just a bunch of naked boys running around in the woods. That happens when work is this masterful. Are these captivating charcoals and oils by Jake Grewal (@JakeGrewal) memories from a dream or voyeuristic fantasies? It’s hard to say, and hard to look away.
‘Now I Know You I Am Older’ at Thomas Dane (@thomasdanegallery) until 28 Jan
The surreal collage by Jesse Draxler (@jessedraxler — Image 1), Sam King’s freaky faces (@samking_art — Image 2) and a series of holding hands by Emerson Pullman that keep you guessing at the emotion (@emerson.artist — not pictured) are the strongest works on show at this group of emerging artists. Or, more specifically, my favourites. Maybe you’ll prefer the fuzzy framed ones or the abstracts? I didn’t quite go for those, but there’s a range here for everyone. Just be sure to book in advance, which the gallery appears to prefer.
‘Cacotopia 07’ at Annka Kultys Gallery (@annkakultys) until 04 Feb
In 1945 Picasso made what is now a famous series of eleven etchings that reduced a bull to it’s core visual elements. Around the same time, Giorgio Morandi began something similar with a random bunch of bottles. Except he spent decades depicting them and never got as minimal as Pablo did, at least not in oil. Maybe he couldn’t quite bring himself to unlearn everything he knew about being painterly, because it’s certainly evident in his etchings and pencil works that he knew what he wanted to do. This show, with 50 works on loan from Italy’s Magnani-Rocca Foundation and an upstairs room full of Estorick’s own collection, shows that like life, sometimes the most interesting thing about an artwork is the journey.
‘Masterpieces from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation’ at Estorick Collection (@estorickcollection) until 28 May
Ticketed show. Concessions & Art Fund discounts. Students / Under-18s free.
How am I only now finding out about these freaky fun artworks? David Altmejd (@daltmejd) is an LA-based Canadian sculptor, though you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s a model maker for an upcoming Cronenberg-Burton collab. Human-Hare hybrids mingle with hacked-off and multi-faced heads that look like horrific programming glitches from a futuristic 3D cyborg printing machine. Plus there’s toothpaste all over the walls, colourful rhinestones everywhere, and rodent holes I suppose these things could escape through if they only had legs. Good luck explaining this one to your mum.
At White Cube (@WhiteCube) Mason’s Yard until 21 Jan
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.