Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his Museum exhibitions to see over Christmas and the New Year and into January. If you’re after more shows, check out last week’s top exhibitions where two remain open to visit.
Monet and London. Views of the Thames at The Courtauld
Never united during his lifetime, The Courtauld has brought together all of Monet’s paintings of London and the Thames in one show. It’s phenomenal how much variation in colour and style he injected into one subject. This hot ticket is now sold out for the remainder of the exhibition, so becoming a friend’s member is the only way to visit. Until 19th January, ticketed.
Francis Bacon: Human Presence @ National Portrait Gallery
This show presents many of the anguished portraits Francis Bacon is best known for but we also see a tender side including portraits of those he loved and admired, and his triptychs are some of the highlights in this extensive show of Bacon’s portraiture. Until 19th January, ticketed.
Making a rukus! Black Queer Histories through Love and Resistance @ Somerset House
This important exhibition celebrates black LGBTQIA+ people in Britain, mixing depth with fun. The first few rooms involve a lot of reading through important archival material before it gets interactive with a dance floor room and ends with a comfy room for watching films.
Until 19th January, ticketed – pay what you can.
Lina Iris Viktor: Mythic Time / Tens of Thousands of Rememberings @ John Soanes Museum
I’ve admired Lina Iris Viktor’s work for a while and this collection of shimmering wall-based works and sculptures inspired by different cultures are spectacular pieces. It’s also a perfect fit to be displayed alongside the museum’s eclectic collection. Until 19th January, free.
Luke Jerram: Mars @ The Painted Hall
I’ve always been a fan of Luke Jerram’s high-resolution scanned versions of Earth and the moon that have been shown at The Painted Hall. This is the first showing of Mars, and there’s a nice touch in that Mars the God is also painted on the ceiling and he’s looking down at the installation.
Until 20th January, ticketed.
All images copyright and courtesy respective artist and institution. Monet and London photo: Fergus Carmichael. Bacon & Making a Rukus photo: copyright David Parry. Lina Iris Viktor photo: Gareth Gardner. Painted Hall image: Annabel Moeller.
