Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top 5 exhibitions to see in London. If you are looking for more exhibitions, check out his previous top 5.
The Singh Twins: Botanical Tales and Seeds of Empire at Kew Gardens
There is a lot to link botany and colonialism, as dyes, spices, and tea were central to the British Empire’s expansion. Kew Gardens was part of this, and the Singh Twins call out these links in their large-scale works, created in the style of Indian miniature paintings. These important artworks comment on the ravages of the British Empire, particularly the impact on India. Until 12th April, ticketed.
Rod Kitson: Ascetic // Aesthetic at The Art of Isolation, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre.
How much do we observe the space we live in? Rod Kitson has been recreating his flat through paintings, one square foot at a time. Each painting is completed in a day and reflects what the flat looked like at the time, so as we move from one piece to the next, the contents of the kitchen change, as does what’s on the television. It’s a phenomenal concept and the result of dedication to his practice. Until 25th March.
Bhajan Hunjan: Between Containment and Crossing at Niru Ratnam
Each of these works is layered with a narrative around migration, heritage and culture. I hadn’t come across Bhajan Hunjan’s work before, and this collection of pieces made between 1980 and today gives us a great glimpse of her career and the variety of work, from paintings to prints incorporating embroidery. Until 18th April.
Breanna Gordon: Introspect at Tache
These figurative paintings are filled with dramatic lighting, whether it’s a whole body, a pair of legs, or a close-up of an ear. They are accompanied by a William Morris-inspired large-scale work, in an exhibition about anxiety and mental health. Visitors are invited to write down a quote that helped them through a difficult time, and the quotes will be added to an installation. Until 9th April.
Ishbel Myerscough: Stay at Home, Save Lives at Lyndsey Ingram
We can all agree that the COVID-19 lockdowns were a strange time, as we were forced to change how we lived. Ishbel Myerscough created drawings of her children’s bedrooms, which are on view in this exhibition. Even a simple painting of assorted medicines and soap carries greater weight, given the infections and deaths during the pandemic. These works are haunting echoes of those times we all lived through. Until 10th April.
