Art critic Tabish Khan brings you ‘The Top Art Exhibitions to see in London’. Each one comes with a concise review to help you decide whether it’s for you -this week the focus is on West end galleries. For those looking for more art, 4 of last week’s top 5 are also still open to see as well:
Haley Morris-Cafiero: The Bully Pulpit @ TJ Boulting
The best way to deal with bullies is to confront them head on and that’s what photographer Haley Morris-Cafiero has done. By replicating the horrible words hat have been said about her and dressing up like her bullies she throws their words back at them while having fun at the same time. It’s the best way to deal with them because they’re probably seething right now. Until 14 March.
James Turrell @ Pace London
The master of light is back with lights that change colour over time. It sounds simple but the effect is as I stand transfixed and lose myself in wave after wave of different colours. These meditative works are a welcome retreat from the busy world outside. Until 27 March.
Gordon Cheung: Tears of Paradise @ Edel Assanti
Merging cities, dammed rivers and the imprisonment of the Uighur community. China is a country growing and changing fast. This transformation as power shifts back to the Eastern side of the world is captured in beautiful landscapes laced with political references, and hanging sculptures that mark the different cultures along the stops of the historic silk road. Until 7 March.
Lars Fisk: Wattle and Daub @ Marlborough Gallery
Spheres, lots of spheres – everyday items are made spherical from a houseboat to some lederhosen. These beautifully crafted works are playful and inventive – I’m looking forward to what he takes on next. Until 14 March.
Kendell Geers: Love, By Any Means Necessary @ Stephen Friedman Gallery
As a white South African who was part of the Anti-Apartheid movement, artist Kendall Geers has grown up in a politically charged environment — and now socio-political change seems to be everywhere right now. In an exhibition based around the Malcolm X quote ‘Love by any means necessary’, paintings of what looks like flowers are actually bullet holes and totems have chains for hands to reference colonialism and a history that shouldn’t be forgotten in a powerful show. Until 5 March.
All images copyright artist and gallery. Turrell photo: Damian Griffiths.
