2024 - Issue 114
Two shows filled with silly and three atmospheric experiences.
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PS — It is highly recommended that you double check opening days/hours before you visit. Many galleries have limited hours or extended summer shut downs in July and August.
Upon seeing these works I assumed Ivar Arosenius (1878-1909) was a political cartoonist but the newspapers didn’t like him and the art world viewed him as too illustrative. A short life due to illness resulted in a limited output but superfan Andres Clase spent two decades chasing down some exemplary examples of his drawings and paintings, many of which look like they should be accompanied by a witty caption. Andres has compiled a comprehensive companion book but Arosenius fills his visuals with so much lighthearted joy that even without context it’s hard not to see these and smile.
‘The Serious Jester’ at Fiumano Clase (@fiumanoclase) until 05 Jul
Hosted by sister gallery Clase Fine Art (@andresclase)
The bold show title temped me to stroll in like a cowboy and utter in a slow drawl… “Make me laugh, funny boy.” Except these aren’t ‘ha ha’ funny kinds of works. The humour, sometimes black and often subtle, mostly comes from the painting of unexpected subjects or the juxtaposition of works that have only recently met but now appear to be the perfect couple. The beauty of comedy, much like visual art, is in the eye of the beholder. Will any of these paintings put a sparkle in your eye and make you giggle? There’s only one way to find out…
Featuring:
Charlie Billingham - @charliebillingham
Lydia Blakeley - @lydiablakeley
Rebecca Foster-Clarke - @rebeccafosterclarke
Florence Houston - @florencehouston.art
Minyoung Kim - @mykeeem
Grace Lee - @graceleeisonline
Mauro C. Martinez - @ztm_oruam
‘Humour Me’ at Haricot Gallery (@haricotgallery) until 20 Jul
The shimmering canopy filled with jungle sounds and smells is such a soothing sensory experience that you might not even notice the two giant paintings on laser cut aluminium. The shapes and textures are worth a close inspection but it’s hard to ignore that the main gallery looks like it’s been decorated for a posh wedding. I preferred the more traditional hang in the Fire Station rooms, enabling you to better appreciate the range of Dominican American artist Firelei Báez (@fireleibaez). It’s her first solo UK exhibition and this ambitious hang was put together by the inaugural cohort of New Curators (@new_curators), a training programme for aspiring curators from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
‘Sueño de la Madrugada’ at South London Gallery (@southlondongallery) until 08 Sep
The idea of art as decor often gets a bad rap, but the transformation of this Peckham gallery into a pleasure venue “to satisfy the unruly mind, forge connection, offer surprise and delight” proves that even weird, avant garde art can serve as an effective decorative prop. With a fully stocked library, a dozen cult movies on loop, the most eclectic playlist of music to confuse the Spotify algorithms and a working Sin Bar on Saturdays from 6-11pm (just knock!) this concept exhibition / leisure centre invites you to settle in and stay a while. They’ve even decorated the loo!
‘Sin Centre’ at Hannah Barry Gallery (@hannahbarrygallery) until 14 Sep
Most modern audiences probably won’t view these 'solid light’ installations as anything other than Instagram fodder, but once you learn that Anthony McCall (@anthonymccallstudio) has been doing these since the early 70s you’ll begin to appreciate that some cutting edge art tech has been around for much longer than you realise. I had fun taking photos for this review, but my enjoyment increased tenfold once I put my phone away and photobombed everyone else as I wandered in, out, around and through the cones of light. At one point I even ducked to avoid bumping my head on… light? d’Oh!
‘Solid Light’ at Tate Modern (@tate) until 27 April 2025
Tickets: £14 Adult / Children under 12 free / Discounts available
PLUS…
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