2023 - Issue 69
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
Ice cold cider on a hot summer day. Quintessentially English, but apparently ripe for a rethink in this quirky little six-work show that Dominic Watson (@dom.watson) put together during a six week residence funded by the £6k Cob Award. (So many sixes… why didn’t he pick Cricket?) I’ve only shown a few tightly cropped photos so as to not ruin any surprises. Go see for yourself, but it’s only on ‘til Saturday so catch it if you can.
‘God Bless Strawberry Jam’ at Cob Gallery (@cobgallery) until 01 July
PM/AM is another gallery I’ve consistently enjoyed and their annual large-format group exhibition is not to be missed. My highlights include the 3D flowers Gordon Cheung (@gordoncheung) extends off the canvas, the green perspex frame Shanna Waddell (@shenesssociety) placed around her painting to enhance it’s mystical atmosphere, the acrylic and airbrushed hair by Beatrice Scaccia (@beascaccia) and pretty much everything about ‘Apparition and Shadow’ by Erica Mao (@erica.mao). Quite frankly, I could fill out the Roundup just listing all the works I liked, because there’s two dozen exceptional artists to choose from.
‘40 (What Now?)’ at PM/AM (@pm______am) until 07 Jul
Volker Hermes (@Volker.Hermes) digitally updates historical portraits, outrageously extending the outfits and frequently hiding the eyes. Now entombed in their regalia, you don’t need to see the original figures to figure out what’s been manipulated but it sure is a lot more fun when you can compare them side by side. Well, one of them, anyway. Most are hung in the National Gallery (UK), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) or the Malmö (Sweden) but QR codes will let you see them on your phone. The gallery is located across the street from the Islington VUE, so I suspect more than a few passers-by now probably think there’s going to be a Zoolander 3.
‘Ruff Hood’ at James Freeman Gallery (@jamesfreemangallery) until 08 July
According to Guinness World Records, the fastest time to eat a banana (no hands) is 18 seconds. I challenge you to spend at least that much time at each of the eleven artworks in this show. You’ll certainly need it to debate whether the Natalia LL photos are silly or sexual, and be sure to ask the gallery to flip the skins of the ‘transformer’ canvas by Tiago Tebet (@tiagotebetstudio). It can be seen as rotton or ripe depending on which way it’s hung.
‘Banana Branches’ at Lamb London (@lamb.gallery) until 28 Jul
It’s a gift to quite literally see the world through someone else’s eyes, and often a much more powerful way to understand and empathise with complex issues such as race, gender and class. This first major UK exhibition dedicated to Carrie Mae Weems (@carriemaeweems) provides plenty of opportunity to see how this artist has experienced America, showcasing three decades of her film and photography, augmented with her own words printed large on the walls.
‘Reflections for Now’ at Barbican (@barbicancentre) until 03 Sept
PLUS — don’t forget to check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.