2024 - Issue 126
Last week I went to 30 shows — yes, THIRTY! — so that I could help you make the most of Frieze week. These seven are my favourites.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter to find out what didn’t make the cut, including nine shows worth seeing if you’re in the area (e.g. the Best of the Rest).
I felt naked walking through this show without a hooded cloak or knowledge of a secret handshake. From the leather vessels filled with water to the ominous clubs that look like giant dinosaur fangs, everything here appears destined to be used in some kind of underground hazing ceremony. Incorporating ceramic, leather and wood, these mysterious hybrid sculptures by Nat Breitenstein (@studio__nb) hint at function but mostly instil a foggy sense of familiarity.
‘Tocasenh’ at Standpoint (@standpointgallery) until 19 Oct
If you’re going to open a new gallery two zones away from the London art world centre of gravity then you need a strong, bold show. Kudos to new venture Panrucker for gathering four distinctly different artists that have all found ways to make beige look exotic and engaging. Featuring new experiments from Daisy Collingridge (@daisy_collingridge), suspiciously sensual soft sculptures from Kate Williams (@kate_williams_studio), a wild range of found fabric ‘paintings’ by Eva Dixon (@evadixon.png) and new evolutions of ‘oyster’ and ‘cat’ creatures by Kenji Lim (@kenji_lim_).
‘Something Quickening’ at Panrucker Gallery (@panrucker.gallery) until 19 Oct
One man puts his arm around another in a moment of tenderness and empathy, but most of the characters in these works by Abul Hisham (@abulhisham) appear to be isolated, lonely and alone. They’re physically separated from lush trees that peek above an inescapable wall, or shown performing strange solo acts behind beaded curtains. I wonder if they are prisoners. Maybe only in their mind? Outcasts desperate for engagement, lost amongst a sea of faceless figures carved into the wooden planks that surround the paintings and frame the upstairs space.
‘Seven Scenes of Separation’ at Mamoth (@_mamoth_) until 09 Nov
Makeshift lift rafts float on cloud-like plinths thanks to a brilliant use of styrofoam. There’s also a broken boat and a distressed wicker chair, which just adds to my confusion. There’s no published explanation and I’m not entirely convinced the gallery wasn’t making things up on the spot when I asked, but if Daniele Milvio can make work this meticulous in bronze then I’m not so fussed about their meaning.
‘Far Cry’ at Ilenia (@ilenia_london) until 09 Nov
He’s currently cancelled in America and consistently dinged for the extent to which his works are outsourced, but Kehinde Wiley (@kehindewiley) continues to produce captivating art that challenges and advances both portraiture and representation of the Black figure. This show inverts the monumental scale he’s known for, with a series of miniature portraits that appear to glow and radiate out of their frames. There’s a lot that’s contentious regarding the artist, but these little works pack one helluva punch.
‘Fragments from the treasure house of darkness’ at Stephen Friedman Gallery (@stephenfriedmangallery) until 09 Nov
Influencers on a rickety rope bridge desperately search for WiFi while couples hold each other close in what will surely be their last embrace. Why are those well-dressed office workers hiding their faces? Are they worn out by sunset or shielding from wildfires and eruptions of lava? The enormous scale of these large works by Yu Hong (@yuhongstudio) magnifies the mystery but the outcome appears inevitable. What will you do when the apocalypse comes?
‘Islands of the Mind’ at Lisson Gallery (@lisson_gallery) until 09 Nov
Emma Prempeh (@reclus__e) grabs my attention thanks to her use of imitation gold leaf and projected moving images. They’re eye catching effects that add vibrancy and motion, but used sparingly. They augment her richly detailed canvasses without ever overwhelming the soulful, somber scenes. This impressive solo places lush exteriors alongside intimate scenes of friendship and family. Step inside for an incredibly comforting experience, including a secret carpeted snug in the basement.
‘Wandering Under a Shifting Sun’ at Tiwani Contemporary (@tiwanicontemporary) until 16 Nov
Honourable Mention Artwork
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They weren’t all winners, but a lot of Mike N’s dad jokes done as 2B pencil drawings made me laugh. I saw them at Salon at Fitzrovia Gallery (now ended).
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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