Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his art exhibitions to see before Christmas. If you’re after more shows, check out last week’s top museum exhibitions where all remain open to visit.
Stephen Harwood: Future Ghosts @ Benjamin Rhodes
The sun shining over a scrap metal heap, graffiti on the walls, and a pile of rubbish – London isn’t just the scenic skyline; this is also a part of London – one that tourists don’t see. Stephen Harwood captures the grittier side of East London in these candid paintings. Until 20th December.
Sedrick Chisom: The Villain of History for One Night Alone @ Pilar Corrias, Conduit Street
My first thought when entering this show is are those Confederate soldiers and why would anyone be painting them? Sedrick Chisom has painted a world of white supremacy, one without Black people, channelling all his fears of what the world could become in this haunting exhibition.
Until 21st December.
Small is Beautiful: 42nd edition & Glen Baxter: Intermittently Ochre @ Flowers Gallery, Cork Street
Flowers Gallery has two excellent exhibitions on at their Cork Street space. I’m always a fan of the annual selection of small scale works by gallery and invited artist – a pre-Christmas treat. While downstairs are Glen Baxter’s illustrative works that mix cowboys, art history and absurdist humour into works that will make you smile. Until 4th January.
A Room of Her Own & Vlad Zorin @ Upsilon Gallery
Upsilon Gallery has two very different exhibitions on show. Downstairs is works on paper and ceramic by female artists including Hannah Lim’s snuff boxes that relate to her mixed heritage and colonialism and Diane Chappaley’s ceramic flowers. While upstairs Vlad Zorin’s photographs tell amazing stories as he documents LGBT+ individuals across Europe. Until 18th January.
The Drawing Year 2024 @ Royal Drawing School
From a boxing match to oversized feet, figurative to abstract works, colourful to black and white. The end of year show at Royal Drawing School is always overflowing with talent and this year is no exception with over 500 drawings, prints and works on paper by students graduating from The Drawing Year 2024 postgraduate-level programme. Until 19th December.
All images copyright and courtesy respective artists and galleries. Pilar Corrias photo: Benjamin Westoby. Flowers Gallery image: (c) Antonio Parente. Upsilon gallery image copyright Hannah Lim. Royal Drawing School image copyright Keziah Mornin
