Tabish Khan the @LondonArtCritic picks his top 6 Art Exhibitions to see in London in mid-November. Each one comes with a concise review to help you decide whether it’s for you. If you’re looking for more shows, check out last week’s top 5 where two remain open to visit.
The Serpent’s Tail: Rike Droescher and Zoe Koke @ Alice Amati
It’s heaven above and hell below in this exhibition that combines the sculpture of Rike Droescher and the paintings of Zoe Koke. Koke’s skies upstairs are idyllic while downstairs they are drawn from war and wildfires. Likewise with the sculptures where clothes act as body armour downstairs, with apples upstairs symbolic of the Garden of Eden that will reduce in number as each one is bought. Until 18 November.
Sheila Hicks: Infinite Potential @ Alison Jacques
A new space on Cork Street is inaugurate with one of the galleries top artists – Sheila Hicks, including a mountainous colourful textile installation in the back gallery. The remaining works on display reflect her diverse practice of experimenting with textiles to create new works, that include her working in bamboo and seashells into her pieces. Until 18 November.
Breathing New Life – The Elisabeth Frink Woolland studio reimagined @ Messums London
To mark 30 years since her death, Messums has recreated her studio space within its Cork Street gallery – right down to her fan and stereo on the shelves. It’s an impressive installation that is also peppered with Frink sculptures. It’s being show alongside sculpture and drawings by contemporary artist Christie Brown. Until 18 November.
Vlassis Caniaris: Selected Works 1960s – 1980s @ Hellenic Centre
There are wire heads on clothed bodies, suitcases abandoned, a winged mesh torso and a broken pram in this large exhibition space that I didn’t know existed until now. It houses the works of Vlassis Caniaris, whose powerful pieces often relate to migration, and bring up that feeling of being unsettled in new environments. It’s on at the same time as the works of contemporary artist Amy Stephens in the upstairs space. Until 18 November.
Damian le Bas @ Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix
This collection by the late British artists Damian Le Bas takes his perspective on the social and political changes in Britain, as a member of the Traveller community. They can range from playful cartoon-like imagery through to deeply political works that covers issues such as Brexit and the treatment of the Traveller community in Britain. Until 16 November.
Grace Woodcock: 23.5 degrees @ Castor
23.5 degrees is the angle that the Earth is tilted at and that’s also the angle Grace Woodcock’s works are hung on the wall at. It brings to mind how precarious life is almost ready to tip over, as we find ourselves at the tipping point of climate change. There are works stretched across wood that bear a resemblance to skin and a wall full of tongues – it’s sculpture that makes you want to touch them but also to be slightly repulsed by them. Until 9 December.
All images copyright artists and gallery. Alice Amati photo: Todd Carter. Hellenic Centre photo: Ash Knotek.
