Art critic Tabish Khan brings you ‘The Top Art Exhibitions to see in London’. Each one comes with a concise review to help you decide whether it’s for you:
Silent Madness: Mowalola @ Now Gallery
A punk band wearing bright colours and nails sticking out of their heads are frozen mid-performance, while the pumping and explicit soundtrack comes in through my headphones. Coupled with the instruments covered in tar this exhibition invites you on to a surreal stage to mingle with the equally surreal band members. Until 19 January.
FBA Futures 2020 @ Mall Galleries
What does the future of figurative art look like? Is it a flat surface that looks so textured you have to get close up before you realise it isn’t, or is it an ungrateful Russian cat scowling after being rescued from a firefighter. The latter was an image that went viral and has been blown up in scale in a painting by Lydia Blakely, giving permanence to a moment of temporary fame. It’s part of a selection of exciting emerging talent in this annual exhibition at Mall Galleries. Until 18 January.
Antony Gormley @ White Cube, Mason’s Yard
Figures made up of small metal blocks merge with the giant blocks they are leaning on or carrying. While upstairs giant sentries lean against the wall as is they’ve been committed to the naughty corner. If you missed his Royal Academy blockbuster this small exhibition provides a small taster of Gormley. Until 18 January.
Candida Hofer: Showing and Seeing @ Ben Brown Fine Arts
Beautiful libraries and theatres feel surreal without the people we usually find in them. These grand breathtaking photographs are Hofer’s trademark and they’re always stunning to behold. Until 25 January.
Lina Iris Viktor: Some Are Born To Endless Night – Dark Matter @ Autograph ABP
Black women stare out from paintings interlaced with gold, seen through black lattices resembling a jungle. Subverting stereotypes of blackness and Africa, these works are beautiful and powerful. They become even more striking upstairs when placed against a deep blue backdrop. Until 25 January.
All images copyright gallery and artist. FBA Futures image copyright Lydia Blakely.
