2023 - Issue 90
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
You wont find the Embassy of North Macedonia on any London gallery listings but if you DM Ema Mano Epps (@emamanoepps) for a private tour you’ll get to see just how perfectly her earthy artworks fit in with the embassy’s extensive collection of Chesterfields. Ranging from large wall based to small tabletop size, most of the 30 works were made this year but a few took multiple years to complete. I asked Ema how she assesses her abstracts to determine when they are finished. Her answer: “Cuddling one moment at a time.”
Viewings by appointment only but if you can’t arrange a date you can always catch up with Ema at Platform 1 Gallery (@platform1gallery). She’s the curator and founder.
‘Надеж - a solo exhibition’ at the Embassy of North Macedonia until 15 Dec
I’m jealous of the calm resignation displayed by the humans occupying the mostly small sized oils by Helen Flockhart (@helen_flockhart). I mean, wouldn’t you like to be able to calmly stare out a window, knowing there’s a giant red squid hiding at the foot of your bed? Between the horse-human hybrids, decorative tabletop pigs and yet another squid… nothing is natural yet everyone seems so blasé about their encounters. This is my kinda surrealism.
‘In Elysian Fields’ at Arusha Gallery (@arushagallery) until 22 Dec
I absolutely love this creepy presentation of works from Nicola Turner (@nicolaturner.art). The big pieces are far too large for the space. Crammed into corners, their… limbs? tentacles?… stretch out and grasp at the gallery walls like ivy, all while emanating a thick horse hair smell that overwhelms the environment. The claustrophobia is only momentarily taken away by the colourful distractions from Edward Bekkerman (@edwardbekkerman) who fills his works with figurative blotches that might be people lost in a vortex. If you squint.
‘The Song of Psyche: Corners of a Soul’s Otherworlds’ at Shtager&Shch (@sthager_shch) until 12 Jan
It’s a smart curatorial move to drop a few big names into a show filled with lesser known artists, but what keeps it from being viewed cynically is that all the works play incredibly well together. I initially assumed a Gavin Lockheart (@gavin_lockheart_painter) was a Peter Doig (@peterdoig) before I got distracted by the unique screen prints from Harry Adams (@harryadamsofficial) who I learned is actually a duo comprised of Steve Lowe + Adam Wood. Young French artist Victor Puš-Perchaud (@victor_pusperchaud) has some lovely abstract figuratives on textured wood, and of course you can never go wrong with a miniature Gavin Turk (@thisisnotgavinturk).
Curated by Karen Tronel (@karentronel) and featuring 9 additional artists, including Billy Childish (@billychildish_for_it_is_he).
‘Chasing Elsewhere’ at Fiumano Clase (@fiumanoclase) until 13 Jan
Visually matching the ‘wee small hours’ motif, the gallery has been repainted with a midnight blue that beautifully offsets the colours in many works. In particular, an oil from Nicholas William Johnson (@nicholaswilliamjohnson), Raku ceramics from Dante Elsner (@dante_elsner) and the soft pastel on cardboard works from Aliya Orr (@aliyaorr_studio). I was mixed about some of the others, but overall it’s a solid hang for the space that manages to incorporate two very large pieces without either becoming overwhelming. Though I still think the Tom Bull (@tombull.a) fireplace needs half a dozen tea lights flickering inside. I mean, come on, it’s winter and everyone loves a roaring fire!
‘Small Hours’ at Alice Black (@aliceblackgallery) until 13 Jan
The paintings of Liorah Tchiprout (@tchiprout) are a bit like ‘Cold Heart’ by Elton John & Dua Lipa: cutting edge contemporary with a familiar, retro vibe. That might explain why her exposure is rising up the charts as fast as that song did. I can’t get enough of the semi-transparent streaky brush strokes, but what I really want to see are the puppets the artist makes to use as models. I expect that might explain why all the hands look like mittens? If you go, there’s also a small selection of monotypes upstairs.
‘Two Eyes Wide Open at the Edge of Dawn’ at Marlborough (@marlborough_gallery) until 27 Jan
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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