Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top 5 exhibitions to see in London in right now. If you’re after more shows, check out last week’s top 5 where all remain open to visit.
Daniel Hosego: The Poison Drinkers @ James Freeman Gallery
This is a brilliant collection of modern takes on the Old Masters, with a garden of digital delights featuring Bitcoin, a verified tick, and a slot machine. There’s political satire aplenty and so much detail in each work that you’ll discover new elements in each further look. Until 8th February.
Rike Droescher: Listen, they left a sigh in the curtains @ Alice Amati
Movement frozen in time is what unites the works in this show. There are embroidered works of people held aloft as if they’re flying, cushions embossed with a falling person and curtains in ceramic that will no longer flutter in the breeze. It also includes a couple of playful slippers based on birds, with feet in place of the heels, in a thoughtful exhibition. Until 1st March.
In Attendance: Paying Attention in a Fragile World @ The Fitzrovia Chapel
The Roberts Institute of Art has an excellent collection of works, with some highlights on display in this spectacular setting. I was drawn to Rachel Kneebone’s assembled ceramic body parts, Phyllida Barlow’s ball of broken parts brilliantly titled ‘Disaster’ and Berlinde de Bruckeyre’s intense assemblage made with a horse foal’s skin on the table in front of the altar. Until 9th February.
Jim Naughten: Biophilia @ Rebecca Hossack Gallery
What animals exist in the world and what ones can AI create? Jim Naughten has taken his photography and used AI to create creatures that don’t exist but look like they could – such as a multi-coloured monkey, a rainbow-striped zebra and an assortment of birds. With AI becoming more powerful it’s a timely provocation. Until 1st February.
Veronica Fernandez: I should have prayed for other people @ Pippy Houldsworth
These dream-like paintings of childhood memories contain punchy narratives. When seen in person, you can appreciate the texture and the incorporation of found objects, like buttons and a bicycle reflector. Until 15th February.
All images copyright and courtesy respective galleries and artists. Alice Amati & Fitzrovia Chapel photos: Tom Carter.
