2024 - Issue 111
The fourth annual London Gallery Weekend has just ended. For three days over 130 galleries opened with extended hours and extra special events. From the mere 20% of the venues I managed to visit, these are the six that stood out.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter to find out what didn’t make the cut.
Depicting surreal scenes with a flat perspective and occasional “ye olde” vibe, I like to pretend these are medieval political cartoons that were etched into wood and only recently discovered safely stored away in some forgotten English Heritage basement. Often postcard sized or smaller, these amusing works by Plum Cloutman (@plumcloutman) are pastel, pencil and oil on board and you’ll be amazed at how much texture she packs into some tiny little pieces.
‘Pissing on the Inferno’ at Arusha Gallery (@arushagallery) until 22 Jun
Fabric, canvas or board? Marieke Bernard-Berkel (@mariekebernardberkel) is adept at creating mysterious, abstract landscapes on each. The real question is whether you’ll get stuck trying to figure out what you see, or examining the different ways she works and layers her paint based on the base. Just be careful not to trip over any of the perfectly paired, bitumen cottagecore stools from Tom Bull (@tombull.a) as you work your way round the gallery for a closer look.
‘All the world’s a stage’ at Sherbet Green (@sherbet_green) until 29 Jun
Sometimes you need to listen to the art in order to see what’s taking place. In this case a quiet visit is necessary to realise that yes, the water levels in those word pans is rising. Slow drips randomly fall from above, creating a very soft, subtle “sonnet” that proves to be soothingly meditative over time. Augmented with a series of abstract paper collage boxes, Charlie Godet Thomas (@charlie_godet_thomas) eschews flashy “wow factor” effects to create a slow and ambient experience.
‘Little Sound’ at Vitrine (@vitrinegallery) until 13 Jul
I got sucked into these reflective photos from Hannah Starkey and found myself rigorously trying to figure out if they had been composed entirely in-camera or photo manipulated afterwards. Starkey worked closely with young women to compose poses that intentionally sideline the stereotypical ‘gaze’ they have become accustomed to performing for, enhanced by the extensive use of windows, mirrors and glass that contribute layering effects that frequently require the viewer to spend more time trying to comprehend the composition than staring at the subjects.
‘Hannah Starkey’ at Maureen Paley (@maureenpaley) until 14 Jul
In the main gallery a rope hanging above a carpet rises so high up into the bright glare of the skylights that I can’t really see what’s happening at the top. I’m just as confounded by what I can actually see on the ground. Is that a stack of old tires or broken HomePods? What’s the deal with those skipping ropes weighed down with dice-style weights? Is there symbolism in the containers filled with seeds? Before I can get close enough to study anything I’m distracted by voices screaming in the distance. They lure me into the basement where I sit on a soft, square stool in a red room, listening to whispers, cries, angry hums and clicking clacking sounds. I can’t really understand anything being said but it feels like I’ve been dropped into the middle of a family squabble. Every aspect of this show by Otobong Nkanga (@otobongnkanga) filled me with curiosity.
‘We Come from Fire and Return To Fire’ at Lisson Gallery (@lisson_gallery) until 03 Aug
Jodie Carey (@jodiecareystudio) makes “earth-casts” by wrapping plants with cloth and thread and then pressing them into soil to create a mould into which she pours jesmonite. You could randomly pick any of these “fossilised flora” and find something intriguing about it, but it’s debatable how long one alone might hold your attention. However, being allowed to carefully navigate your way amongst 150 of them justifies the phrase ‘strength in numbers’. Watch those backpacks and note that your legs might get tickled by the wayward, low-level metal “strings”. If you’re planning on recreating a mini maze at home, or bringing a rambunctious little one to the gallery, please note these cost £3k. Each.
‘Guard’ at Edel Assanti (@edelassanti) until 23 Aug
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter.