2023 - Issue 72
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
The meticulously detailed coloured pencil works by Ceyda Karatas (@ceydafkaratas) had me mesmerised. These take months to make, and I suspect half that time is just spent sharpening the pencils. I’m glad they’re framed behind glass because I had to put on my specs and get right up close to fully appreciate the fine lines and smooth shading. While the gallery was busy wiping my nose smudges off the frames I got mystified by the two large works by Ferdinand Dölberg (@ferdinanddoelberg) that look like long lost gems from the Russian avant-garde.
‘Inferno of the Same’ at The Artist Room (@theartistroomgallery) until 28 Jul
Would I have liked these works just as much if Paul Maheke (@PaulMaheke) put them in basic frames on a plain white wall? That’s a question I’m still considering, but aside from the painted brown walls the frames are clearly part of the art. Whether set behind perspex or float framed in an offset colour, the deep frame shadows add an extra dimension to these scribbly faces, making them appear as if they’re stuck in a fog, desperately trying to catch your attention.
‘Ancestral Musing’ at Goodman Gallery (@goodman_gallery) until 19 Aug
Sometimes I walk into a gallery and think “What the heck is that?” and I’m not referring to the visuals, but the materials. In this instance I was intrigued how Nour Mobarak (@adult_nour) made plaster statues look rusted and decayed. Except they’re none of the above. They’re mycelium, which is a fungi. The root form of mushroom. The longer explanation involves opera and Greek mythology and oh geez… I’m sorry… you’ve already fallen asleep. But damn these look beautiful, don’t they? Go see for yourself, just be careful not to step on the snake.
‘Gods’ Facsimiles’ at Rodeo (@rodeo_gallery) until 23 Sept
The summer show at Benjamin Rhodes, who I recently interviewed, features a wide range of Paperworks from five artists. I was particularly drawn to the “recycled” silverware that Victoria Bartlett makes out of pressed paper and the silly hats and other surreal scenes that Emrys Williams (@emryswilliams2020) painted during the lockdown. I wonder which works you’ll prefer?
‘Summer of 23’ at Benjamin Rhodes (@benjaminrhodes_art) until 23 Sept
Rounding out the Roundup is the annual summer celebration of members' and fellows' work at The Royal Society of Sculptors. This year's theme is The Shape of Life and it’s free to see the work of 54 artists, but cosy Dora House doesn’t feel crammed or overwhelming because almost everything is nicely shelf sized. And it’s all for sale, ranging from £200 to low five-figure sums for collectors with deep pockets.
Here are the 8 works I’d add to my collection if I had a spare £42,150.
2-3 = Isobel Church @isobel_church — A chair for that houseguest who never knows when to leave.
4-5 = Merete Rasmussen @_mereteramussen — That shape! That texture! I’m sooo in love with this work!
6-8 = Juliette Losq @juliette_losq — I’m a fan of Juliette’s work (there’s one in my private collection) and it was a joy to see this small pop-up book / diorama.
9-10 = Nicola Turner @nicolaturner.art — You can sit on a horse and you can sit on a chair but you can’t sit on this horsehair chair
9, 11 = Robert Worley @art_robertworley — It’s the shadows that really make this work stand out.
12 = Susan Cutts @susancuttspaper — These are made of paper. PAPER! Mind. Blown.
13 = Tere Chad @terechad — Whoa! This one’s trying to escape! Who says sculpture can’t be fun?
14-15 = Laura Ellen Bacon @lauraellenbacon — Reminding you that summer will soon be over and it’ll be time to squeeze your patio furniture back into storage.
PS — the three colourful sculptures that welcome you outside the front of Dora House are by Clare Burnett (@clareeburnett), as seen in Image 1.
‘Summer Show 2023’ at Royal Society of Sculptors (@royal_sculptors) until 30 Sept
PLUS — don’t forget to check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.