Tabish Khan the @LondonArtCritic picks his favourite exhibitions to see right now in London, all closing soon. Each one comes with a concise review to help you decide whether it’s for you. Those looking for more exhibitions should check out his top 5 sculpture shows where all remain open.
Sun & Sea @ The Albany, Deptford
The highlight of the 2019 Venice Biennale was the Lithuanian pavilion where an opera about climate change took place on an indoor beach. Now thanks to LIFT festival and Serpentine Gallery there’s a chance for Londoners to see this spectacular and unforgettable experience. Until 10 July.
Rachael Louise Bailey: Thirst of the Tide @ Alice Black Gallery
Suck in your breath and edge past a farm gate, and duck through a furry tunnel in an obstacle course of an exhibition in the gallery’s new street level Fitzrovia space. Dealing with our evolving relationship with the natural world, most disturbing of all is a body shaped sculpture wrapped in black as if our own waste products have borne new life into the world. Until 1 July.
Keith Cunningham: The Cloud of Witness @ Newport Street Gallery
These dense dark portraits are reminiscent of Francis Bacon, and Keith Cunningham’s work is a great find as I knew little about his work. Alongside his energetic studies of dogs this is an excellent painting exhibition. Until 10 July.
The Conference of the Birds @ Tristan Hoare
Named after the 12th century Persian poem this immense group exhibition includes dozens of artworks of birds ranging from the Indian masters who painted realistic depictions based on observations to more contemporary works such as Emilie Pugh’s burns on paper to create a murmuration of starlings. Until 8 July.
Wendimagegn Belete: Codeswitch @ Kristin Hjellegjerde, London Bridge
Working archival materials into his paintings Belete references colonialism as well as his own heritage, including maps the Italians designed for the artist’s home country of Ethiopia. There’s plenty of detail to be found in these multi-layered works. Until 9 July.
All images courtesy gallery and artist. Keith Cunningham photo: Prudence Cuming Associates.
