2024 - Issue 95
Showcasing artists and works that caught my attention.
It’s a curatorial stretch to classify everything in this show as apocalyptic, but the standout photorealistic paintings by Naoya Inose (@naoyainose) certainly fit the description. Most of the works are best described as “Disney dystopia”, exemplified by the Seni Awa Camara terracotta figures that are disturbing and strange, but in a family friendly way. With additional works in porcelain, marble and glass, and some large scale photographic prints, this is a good kickoff to the year and a great primer for anyone that’s not familiar with the super high quality of artists & work typically shown at this gallery.
‘Apocalypse Now’ at Tristan Hoare (@tristanhoare) until 01 Mar
It’s hard to ignore the overwhelming sense of resignation in these paintings by Elmer Guevara (@3lmski1) that depict domestic life struggling, against the odds, to bring colour and joy into South Central LA, a region that has spent the better part of the last 75 years dealing with poverty, crime, racial violence, riots and the impacts of an overwhelmed police force attempting to keep it all under control. Despite some silly visuals, the flowers wilt, a cat hides in a closet, and everyone looks like they’ve given up the fight. I was particularly engaged by the use of extrapolated canvasses to accentuate the conflicting physical and emotional perspectives of having to live behind bars in order to feel safe in your own home.
‘51 (ELMER GUEVARA)’ at PM/AM (@pm______am) until 10 Mar
It’s a lot of fun to compare the precariously stacked works of Catriona Robertson (@catrionart) and Jacob Talkowski (@jacobtalkowski). As you wander around, and even under, their sculptures you’ll worry that one wayward swing of a handbag might easily topple them over. Jacob’s styrofoam containers falling might provide the same satisfaction as a domino chain reaction, but a tumble would almost certainly be a fatal mistake with Catriona’s works, which require forklifts to be moved into place. Maybe you’ll feel safer examining the wall hung pieces from Alaric Hammond (@alarichammond) who collages corroded etchings of advertising and old tech.
‘Everyday Monuments’ at Saatchi Gallery (@saatchi_gallery) until 10 Mar
Note: This is a FREE show and Catriona Robertson (@catrionart) is currently offering tours by appointment. DM her on Instagram.
Almost no one wants to sit and watch video art, because it’s usually abstract, boring, and far too long. But what everyone loves is mindlessly working their way through the 30-second previews on their streaming services. Lucky for you, Douglas Gordon (@douglasgordonart) has blended the two, presenting “Pretty much every film and video work from about 1992 until now…” on a jumbled pile of displays. It’s a fabulous, non-committal way to gauge an entire career in one short circuit around the main gallery. It’s kinda brilliant. Except the problem, which you’ll also notice with the text works randomly displayed all over the walls (both inside and out) is that nothing really lands. With so so so much to see, every image and every sentence gets reduced to a platitude. Which might be why my favourite works were the old rotary phones you pick up to listen, and the curious peep holes that force you to bend down and focus.
‘All I Need is a Little Bit of Everything’ at Gagosian (@gagosian) until 15 mar
Billed as an “exploration of glass over the last 170 years”, this museum quality exhibition was a surprising treat. There’s plenty of informative wall text about the process and evolution of glassmaking in the UK but this is by no means a boring display of decorative vases. There are contemporary artworks and some rather quirky works, like the etched glass rolling pin and a giant stained glass wall showing a Wellie-wearing gardener “watering” her plants. There’s even an area where you can touch and hold samples of works in the exhibit. Including William Morris’ hand drawn plans for church windows (~1860) and an “underwater” display of plastic and glass at the base of the central staircase, this free exhibition makes excellent use of one of London’s most atmospheric venues.
‘The Glass Heart’ at Two Temple Place (@twotempleplace) until 21 Apr
PLUS…
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