Tabish Khan the @LondonArtCritic picks his Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London in late January. 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 three remain open to visit.
Paul Cocksedge: Coalescence @ Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College
This six metre in diameter spectacular artwork by Paul Cocksedge is made up of lumps of coal, the exact amount of coal that would be needed to power a single 200 watt bulb for a year. It’s a striking way of making us aware of our energy consumption, when we’re divorced from that supply chain. The environmental message continues in his work ‘trees’ in the side room with a sculpture that if burned would require 20 trees to live for a year to offset the carbon emissions. Until 4 February, ticketed.
Byzantia Harlow: Aetheric @ Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix
Taking inspiration from traditional tarot card decks, Byzantia Harlow has created her own deck based on the friends, lovers and strangers from her own life. On top of the traditional suits of water, air, fire and earth she has added an additional suit of alchemical cards. Downstairs she’s included a sculpture of a phoenix, as a symbol of rebirth, and a soundtrack of her speaking to psychics over the phone – a practice she engages in herself. Until 22 February.
Tania Kovats: As above, so below @ Parafin
Taking inspiration from the natural world, Tania Kovats has mapped all the worlds islands and layered them over one another, including ones we recognise (pictured), as well as capturing the 28 phases of the moons in drawing. There’s also a heartbreaking human element to her show where she has documented the numbered and unnamed graves of migrants who died attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Until 10 February.
A Marriage of Art and Craft – Masterpieces from the De Morgan Collection @ Cromwell Place
This exhibition is a chance to see the highlights of paintings by Pre-Raphaelite Evelyn De Morgan and ceramics by her husband William, returning from a recent major museum show in the US. A real treat is Evelyn’s painting Flora, inspired by Botticelli, and the gold leaf within it that glimmers when the light strikes it at the right angle. Until 11 February.
Claire Curneen: A Creature made of Clay @ James Freeman Gallery
Clay figures and a head, both with golden lips, are two of the beautiful figurative pieces in a show where angelic birds watch over them. Working in porcelain, terracotta, and stoneware this is an impressive collection of ethereal sculptures. Until 3 February.
All images copyright and courtesy venue and artist.
