To trace the shape of London’s cultural revival, we asked the artists and instigators what excites them now. Then we stepped back—and let the story ripple outward, one nomination at a time.
Nicola Gunnarsson is a painter based in London.
What’s interesting in art?
This is the New Earth, The Galactic Field by Susan Cianciolo at Stuart Shave Modern Art, with a meditation/embroidery workshop that I feel very fortunate to have attended last year. Cianciolo’s fabric works alongside the workshop, that included a 45 minute guided meditation followed by embroidery and lunch, lingered in my mind for several days after. I was inspired by the thought of alternative and honest ways of navigating the presentation of material visual-oriented works.
Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you, 2025 by Thirza Smith (with Matthew Peers) at Rathbone Institute is a show that, similar to This is the New Earth, did this thing of lingering in my mind after visiting. The show presents a series of elegant works underneath dimmed natural light. I was drawn particularly to the sensitivity of light and colour between each room.
What’s interesting in design?
Bill Magazine is a visual magazine without words by Julie Peeters. Of simple design, Bill appears to me as a study of “magazine as object”. There is a felt rhythm between the flow of images through each page, paired with a variety of paper textures moving between glossy and matt. Over time BILL 3 and BILL 5 have become two of my most loved possessions.
What’s interesting in culture?
To go to the cinema is a favourite past time of mine, with the ICA’s film programme being my favourite in London. Memorable documentary/films that I have seen at the ICA include:
The Witches of the Orient (2021) dir. Julien Faraut
A group of textile workers train after hours to become Japan’s 1964 Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team.
Meet me in the Bathroom (2022) dir. Will Lovelace & Dylan Southern
An account of New York’s emerging music scene in the early 2000s.
Taipei Story (1985) dir. Edward Yang
A slow moving film of a couple navigating the changes of 1980’s Taiwan.
On another note, I have been fascinated by Zoe Lund’s 96 second film Hot Ticket for some time now. I think it has something to do with the experience of visiting the cinema and specifically the walk that happens after you leave the cinema. I walk out from the ICA and the world is now seen from the perspective of the film I’ve just watched.
What’s interesting in style/fashion?
Rachel Nygyen, AKA That’s Chic, documents her life online through her extraordinary lens of the world. The video below, Cataloging my minimal closet, is one of my favourites whereby she takes us through her collection of clothes inside her camper van. I’m struck by the contrast of Rachel’s elegant array of garments existing inside a humble van.
What’s interesting in tech?
While there are many negatives associated with constant visual information exposed to us on daily basis, it can also be very exciting to be able to freely explore so many simply “cool” images. The “print-screen” function turns digital images into a game of collecting and grouping.
What’s interesting in music?
Nils Fram’s ambient piano music is best listened to laying on green grass underneath trees on a summer’s day. Night (2025) and Day (2024) are recommended album listens. Also Valentine My Funny, a cover of My Funny Valentine, by Nils Frahm & F.S. Blum is something I always return to.
Museum and Gallery Recommendation
Temple of Love, Rick Owen’s first retrospective in Paris showing at Palais Galliera until the 4th January 2026.
“His outfits, inspired by underground culture and the glamour of 1930s fashion, were notable for their sophisticated structures. Limited resources inspired him to use some reclaimed and salvaged materials – he repurposed military bags, army blankets and washed leather, turning them into dresses and jackets. He has a predilection for black and muted shades, including a special grey he calls “dust”, which has become one of his signature colours”
Marriage by Terence McCormack at Roland Ross in Margate is open until the 19th of July. An exhibition of play between what is revealed and what is hidden.
For the next That’s Interesting I would like to nominate multidisciplinary artist Maria Gorodeckaya.
Categories
Tags
- Bill Magazine
- Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
- Maria Gorodeckay
- Matthew Peers
- Nicola Gunnarsson
- Nils Fram
- Rachel Nygyen
- Rathbone Institute
- Roland Ross
- Sprüth Magers. Stuart Shave/Modern Art
- Stuart Shave
- Stuart Shave Modern Art
- Susan Cianciolo
- Terence McCormack
- That’s Chic
- The Palais Galliera
- Thirza Smith
- Zoe Lund
