Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top 5 art exhibitions to see in London in late March. Check out last week’s top 5 if you’re after more shows.
Tuân Andrew Nguyen: When Water Embraces Empty Space @ The Showroom
This is an excellent show, and it’s worth watching the films. It tells the story of a wooden outrigger sailboat from the island of Luf in Papua New Guinea, kept in a Berlin museum. It takes the descendants of those who built it to see and touch it in a moving film. On the larger screen, the boat leaves the museum and sails for home through computer-generated imagery, set to beautifully haunting music. Until 5th April, free.
Joke Amusan: Where Two Or Three Are Gathered @ TAFETA
We’re surrounded by stitched messages of positivity and perseverance. They are placed upon hessian, a material used to transport cargo. The pieces examine the impacts of migration, with each piece twisted and sometimes torn to reflect the toll that migration can take and the strength of those who’ve migrated between countries. Until 29th March, free.
It’s all about the theatrical at The Perimeter, and it has a mix of great artworks, including a giant yeti on the wall by Anthea Hamilton, flames surrounded by glass used to line grave sites by Adam Farah-Saad and detailed paintings by Bendt Eyckermans. My favourite was the work of JJ Guest, who uses images of intimacy in football to shine a light on homo-eroticism in a sport where homophobia is still a major issue. Until 4th April, free – ticketed.
The Cave in the Mind @ Ione & Mann
This surreal and visually arresting group show is based on these three artists’ stay at a residency in southwestern France. Melania Toma’s colourful works sit opposite Paula Turmina’s elongated limbs filling a cave or wrapping around a tree. Atalanta Xanthe gives us a taste of the disturbing as a decapitated body gushes blood while riding what looks like a lion with a human head. Until 29th March, free.
Steven Appleby: Nothing is Real @ Space Station Sixty-Five
This show is fun because it’s full of humorous cartoons, bawdy merchandise, an empty peep show and a section where you can relax and watch TV or read in comfy armchairs. There’s a lot to take in at this Wunderkammer-style playful exhibition. Until 29th March, free.
All images are copyrighted and courtesy of respective artists and galleries. Steven Appleby photo Henri T.
