2023 - Issue 55
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
Anytime a gallery attendant says something like “they could be acorns or buttplugs…” then you know you’re in for an odd experience. Those hand-blown glass sculptures are joined by pastel coloured plaster spread like butter on top of felt. Downstairs there’s a series of dark and sometimes sinister looking works, which you’ll only see if you’re brave enough to walk past the massive “mould” emanating from the plumbing. Most of these works by Andrea Heller (@helloandreaheller) look like experimental maquettes but something much more interesting happens when you put this many of them into a room at once.
‘Inhabit’ at Parafin (@parafinlondon) until 25 Mar
I first highlighted Deborah Segun (@deborah_jayde) all the way back in Roundup Issue 02 and it’s great to see how her works have evolved in a year. She’s added stylistic touches such as transparency, fades and some super bright neon, but they never detract from the soothing ambiguity of the scenes. In these figurative paintings filled with bulbous shapes, you’re never quite sure if you’re looking at one person or two. Which I think is ironically apt for these deeply meditative works that the artist says are part of “a lifelong search for a harmonious balance within one’s self”.
‘Where is My Mind?’ at Beers (@beerslondon) until 25 Mar
Aside from the colour palette and a general sense of confusion — as in, what the heck am I looking at? — there’s not much that distinctly links these paintings together, but maybe that doesn’t matter. The small, snapshot style works provide curious glimpses of dark and mysterious scenes. Some have surrealist imagery, which plays an even more prominent role in the larger, more ambitious canvasses. This first solo by Xiong Haoqi (@huohouki) — currently attending the RCA Painting MA program — is also the debut show of a new private art Members Club. The show is now open to the public, via appointment.
‘Island’ at 9 French Place (@9_french_place) until 26 March
Contact BeAdvisors Art Department (@beadvisors_art) to schedule a visit, or via e-mail at goldenshower@beadvisors-art.co.uk
Alicia Reyes McNamara (@aliciossa) draws upon Mexican and Irish folklore (her dual heritage) to depict sensual female imagery that some might say borders on being overtly sexual, if you consider snails to be sexual. Her latest solo show, filled with surrealist images and a fully covered gallery floor, will make you wonder if you accidentally swallowed a Guatemalan insanity pepper. McNamara’s visual style distinctly stands out from the current contemporary art scene, and has been featured in many group shows and last year’s London Open at Whitechapel. If you haven’t yet seen her work, now’s your chance. Go for the floor, stay for the sensual snails.
‘Feast’ at Niru Ratnam (@niruratnamgallery) until 01 Apr
Denzil Forrester is a new name to me, and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to compare his recent large paintings with a selection of archival drawings mostly made in the 80s. The artist often reflects on Black British culture and it’s clear that Forrester considers music to be an integral aspect of that. His work depicting musicians and nightclubs is filled with so much motion and joy, they made me want to sing and dance along with them. But I spent most of my time standing perfectly still, transfixed by the palm frond patterns and unusual perspectives in one of the largest works, ‘In Homenow’ (2022-2023).
‘With Q’ at Stephen Friedman Gallery (@stephenfriedmangallery) until 06 Apr
Prominently red art often stands out in a gallery or museum, so pity the ones in this show because they’re probably not used to getting lost in the crowd. That’s because this group exhibition contains over two dozen works — all of them red! — with many created especially for the show. Whether you’re the kind of person that organises their sock drawer in rainbow order or you just have a passion for the colour of, erm, passion, then this is the show for you.
‘I Rossori Dell’Arte (The Redness of Art)’ at Ronchini Gallery (@ronchinigallery) until 28 Apr
PLUS — don’t forget to check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.