Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top exhibitions to see in London this month. If you are looking for more exhibitions, check out his previous top 5.
Sokari Douglas Camp: Fashion & Fortune at October Gallery
Figures constructed from steel populate the space, including two beneath a giant metal palm tree that reaches the ceiling. Each figure references slavery, colonialism and the exploitation of wealth by colonial powers. The coins embedded in the works comment on how only the traders and slave owners saw the wealth of the extraction of resources from other countries. While her works also playfully mock the dress codes imposed on black women, which subsequently influenced Western fashion, because these women were so stylish. Until 27th June.
Kat Lyons: The Familiars at Pilar Corrias, Savile Row
Elephants, cows, donkeys and so many other animals have been used as beasts of burden, for food and domesticated to allow humanity to expand across the world. Will we ever reach a phase when this stops? Kat Lyons’ paintings examine one-way relationships, including electrical experiments on frogs and the fact that donkeys have been deemed more valuable than zebras, as the latter can’t be tamed. Until 20th June.
Isabelle Young | Venice As I Was at Canopy Collections
When we think of Venice, we think of the beautiful squares and the hordes of tourists. Isabelle Young strips all of this away and focuses on the quiet corners of Venice, light falling onto a terrazzo floor, water lapping at a door during high tide, and people visible only as reflections. It’s the perfect antidote to the chaos of the Venice Biennale. Until 3rd July.
Demi Danka: Co-Authored Terrains at Gillian Jason Gallery
These works may look like abstract paintings, but in fact use photographic techniques. Working with light-sensitive photographic paper, she exposes it to chemicals and salts, and brushes and scratches it to create these abstract compositions. It means she is never fully in control as it’s never clear how the works will turn out, but the results are mesmerising. Until 27th June.
Wang Pei: Sertraline at Workplace
These are brilliant paintings of the backs of necks or capturing the sheen of a dress. The key motif is that we never see the sitter’s expression or emotions. The show is named after the widely prescribed antidepressant and asks what happens in a world where our emotions are dulled and regulated, what is lost when our lives are medically managed. Until 4th July.
All images are copyrighted and are courtesy of the respective gallery and artist. October Gallery Photo © Jonathan Greet.
