2024 - Issue 128
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Satan! Sex! Snakes! Using Dante’s Inferno and the nine circles of Hell as a group show theme is a sneaky way to attract both literary minded art buffs as well as Insta-Influencers. Some works address the text, but based on the fairly loose explanations in the write-up I suspect most weren’t originally made as a direct reference. Does it matter? Not really. The show is visually engaging with lots of quirky art that drew me in for a close inspection, and they all look great together.
Featuring:
Maggie Ellis
Darcey Fleming
Marcelle Hanselaar
Malene Hartmann Rasmussen
Becky Tucker
Jake Wood-Evans
…and many more!
‘Dante’s Inferno’ at Unit London (@unitlondon) until 03 Nov
How do you like your eggs? Splattered on the wall probably wasn’t an option you were considering, but that’s what hundreds of women helped Sarah Lucas make during Frieze week in the first London staging of her “1000 Eggs: For Women” performance. This ArtNet article has some terrific behind the scenes interviews and images from the event, and the dried remains can be seen alongside drawings, paintings, photographs and sculptures that all feature… eggs. A few works were specially commissioned but as gallerist Hannah Watson found out when curating this show, a lot of artists really, really like eggs.
Featuring:
Christopher Chiappa
Nettle Grellier
Piotr Bury Łakomy
Polly Morgan
Man Ray
Boo Saville
Olivia Sterling
Rafał Zajko
…and many, many more!
‘Un Oeuf Is Un Oeuf’ at TJ Boulting (@tjboulting) until 16 Nov
Five years. Seven artists. Eight works. They’re mostly abstract, with a few small portraits and one text-based. My favourite is Magdalena Skupinska’s minimalist piece, because it gives off a soothing scent of chamomile once you lean in for a closer look. This stripped back group show to celebrate the gallery’s five-year anniversary proves you don’t need a lot of art to make a big impression, and I suspect its a sneaky preview of the kinds of shows you can expect the see in their next half decade.
Featuring:
Emii Alrai
Coco Capitán
Somaya Critchlow
Jaylon Hicks
Ro Robertson
Magdalena Skupinska
Reginald Sylvester II
‘5 Years’ at Maximillian William (@maximillian_william) until 13 Nov
Beginning with an emergency declaration that suspended democratic rights and ending with nuclear arms tests that were squarely at odds with their non-violent ideals, India from 1975-1998 was particularly turbulent. Especially when seen through the eyes of artists that experienced it first-hand. Presented mostly chronologically and loosely aligned to four themes (violence, gender & sexuality, class, Indigenism) even a casual tour is immediately rewarding for those who appreciate modern and contemporary art. The works are just too good, but the accompanying handbook is even better. Providing comprehensive historical context and details for those who want deeper insights into the major events and movements that inspired the visuals, this multi-layered art exhibition / history lesson is a fascinating look back at India at the end of the 20th century.
‘The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975-1998’ at Barbican (@barbicancentre) until 05 Jan 2025
Also at Barbican… Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum: It Will End In Tears (details in Roundup Issue 125)
For more reviews of Museum shows, check out Roundup issue 127.
Honourable Mention Artworks
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Bart Janssen (@bart.janssen001) has created a series of sculptures featuring members of the Windrush generation that he met in Dalston and then invited to his studio for posing sessions. These fantastically lifelike bronzes are on display at BSMT Space (@bsmtspace) until 29 October. Presented by Future Hackney (@futurehackney).
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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