Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his Top 5 Art Exhibitions to see in London right now. Check out the previous top 5 if you’re after more shows to visit.
Louisa Clement at Annka Kultys Gallery
The artist invites you to get up close to her body, as this series of over 100 images is based on close-up photographs of various parts of her body. Layered on top of these are words that reflect how AI algorithms are changing how we think, including about our bodies. This large-scale work is accompanied by AI-generated preachers delivering a church service as we enter, similar to how services are conducted on screens in Korea, taking us further into a dystopian future. Until 19th July, free.
Jane McAdam Freud: An Absent Presence – A retrospective in dialogue with Louise Bourgeois and Holly Stevenson at Gazelli Art House
The contemplative faces sculpted by the late Jane McAdam Freud meet the more playful works by Holly Stevenson, where a red thread emerges from an eye socket and bulbous forms feature multiple eyes and floral faces. Completing the three-hander are some great works on paper by Louise Bourgeois, where all three artists deal with psychoanalysis, which is apt given Jane’s Freudian legacy. Until 6th September, free.
Anselm Kiefer at White Cube, Mason’s Yard
I’m not sure I can ever get enough of Anselm Kiefer’s paintings, and this accompaniment to his current Royal Academy of Arts show is another spectacular show. Inspired by the legendary Vincent Van Gogh, we’re surrounded by Kiefer’s sunflowers and wheatfields, titanic in scale, incorporating a scythe and vegetation. It’s all very much in keeping with Kiefer’s style, while still paying tribute to Van Gogh. Until 16th August, free.
Yool Kim: The Way We Were, Rhodes
I love the texture of these figurative works, with human figures intertwined with swans. It feels loaded with mythological symbolism, but also relates to our connection to nature. It’s my first time encountering the work of this Korean painter, and it left me wanting to see more of their work. As an added bonus, the gallery also has some great works by Morag Caister in the project space. Until 26th July, free.
The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School at The Royal Drawing School
They have pulled in the big hitters for this celebration of drawing, including David Hockney, Es Devlin, Antony Gormley, Norman Foster and dozens more names you will recognise – including King Charles III. Some of my highlights were the works by Fraser Scarfe, Olivia Kemp and Jake Garfield in this fantastic mix of artists. Until 26th July, free.
All images are copyrighted and courtesy of the respective galleries and artists. Royal Drawing School image copyright Antony Gormley. Gazelli Art House image copyright Holly Stevenson.
