Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top 5 art exhibitions to see in London this Spring. Check out last week’s top 5 if you’re after more shows to visit.
Tuesday Riddell ‘Through the Brambles’ at Messums London
Using the traditional lacquer technique of Japanning, Tuesday Riddell creates fantastic natural worlds in which you want to get lost. So many details are visible in the undergrowth in black and gold and a splash of other colours. I got to see these in progress in her studio, and it’s a treat to see them all together exhibited. Until 3rd May, free.
Anne von Freyburg: Filthy Cute at Saatchi Gallery
I’ve followed Anne Von Freyburg’s work for a few years and enjoyed how she repurposes textiles to comment on the history of textiles while leaning into kitsch and art historical references. Her works have grown larger, more expressive, and started to break apart – it gives each work more life and energy. She’s also part of the Flowers exhibition at Saatchi Gallery. Until 11th May, free.
Colette Lavette: Jugular @ Gillian Jason Gallery
These are a spectacular set of paintings inspired by historical paintings. Her gestural works are filled with figures and dramatic lights – a tiger here, some wolves there – and you can spend hours spotting the fantastic details and symbols in each work. Until 10th May, free.
Suzanne Treister: HEXEN 5.0 and Museum Paintings at Annely Juda Fine Art
Suzanne Treister’s work gives tarot cards a contemporary twist. For example, the death card features burning fossil fuels, and the fool card references blockchain. Plus, there’s a room of tarot cards made using AI prompts, a great nod to how AI is now what’s directing our future, and the consequences could be dire. Until 3rd May, free.
Berndnaut Smilde: Vertical Visibility at Ronchini Gallery
I’ve followed the artist’s work for several years and am amazed at how he creates clouds within buildings to photograph. Each magical work juxtaposes fluffy clouds with ornate architecture to develop scenarios that feel unreal, but they were all staged by the artist without any digital intervention. Until 15th May, free.
All images are copyrighted and courtesy of the respective artists and galleries.
