2024 - Issue 110
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Based around the Japanese concept of Yūgen — sometimes translated as “mysterious profundity” and used to describe beauty that is more felt than seen — this debut show from curator/collector Matilda Liu is filled with works that slowly reveal faces, figures and subtle other secrets if you give them a careful study. It’s a strong collection of well matched pieces — some for sale, some on loan — that makes me eager to discover whatever comes next from this new venture.
‘Uncarved Block, Unbleached Silk’ at Meeting Point Projects(@themeeting.point) until 06 Jun
Pop-up Venue: Coningsby Gallery (@coningsbygallery) - 30 Tottenham Street, W1T 4RJ
What is Indian modern art? That was the question being asked by artists between 1870 and 1950, who often found themselves stuck between India’s artistic legacy and the colonial British imposition of Western/European standards. Attempts to resolve those two forces by merging and incorporating ideas from both resulted in a wide range of culturally unique work that mostly still feels fresh today. You’ll definitely want to set aside some time to properly explore this extensive exhibition, spread across both floors of the gallery. If it’s a nice day, make your way up to the Japanese roof garden afterwards to contemplate your favourites.
Note: Free tours are given every Thursday at 6pm. No registration required. Just turn up.
‘Painting Freedom: Indian modernism and its rebels’ at SOAS Brunei Gallery(@bruneigallery) until 22 Jun
Abstract sculptures can be tedious and confusing but Steph Huang (@theinvisibleisland) infuses her work with something you don’t always come across: a sense of fun. There’s a lightness of touch to her precariously balanced glass, steel ‘motion trails’ that could be the path for bronze butterflies and a found object (from a discarded fridge!) propped up by a storage jar. These minimalist and quirky explorations never quite dip into silly territory, except for one work that I absolutely loved. Two hand-blown glass pickles suspended on silk, floating above the sounds of someone munching on a fresh, crunchy gherkin.
‘There Is Nothing Old Under The Sun’ at Standpoint Gallery(@standpointgallery) until 29 June 2024
It’s an art gallery. It’s a bookstore. It’s your local source for homemade kombucha and an event space for “serious, engaged, and occasionally difficult conversations”. Quite simply, it’s unlike anything else in London’s art scene which means you really ought to go check it out in person even though you could be lazy and just buy Napa Cabbage Kimchi direct from their website. The debut art show has some fabulously retro scenes from Anna Sebastian (@ak_sebastian). Infused with a bit of surrealism, they remind me of the quaint futuristic visions dreamt up by Disney’s original EPCOT imagineers, but they’re actually based on 1960’s scientific films on psychotherapy.
‘What We May Also Do’ at Verdurin (@verdur_in) until 27 July 2024
Filled with documentary films, sonic experiences and a performance stage for live events, this series of collaborations between 100 artists and musicians is for serious music lovers. You’ll need at least 2.5 hours if you want to properly enjoy each of the installations and hopefully you’ll want to, because this isn’t a show that rewards short attention span Instagrammers. Although I do wonder if anyone will sit and watch all 6 hours of Stan Douglas’ video documenting a live improv session that fuses Jazz, Rock, and Afro-Beat. You can also kick off your shoes and spend as much time as you like in Devon Turnbull’s HiFi Listening Room No. 1, which returns to London after last summer’s successful run at Lisson Gallery (read my full review). The title might be Reverb but this ain’t no dance party. It’s an invitation to sit down, slow down, listen and relax.
‘The Vinyl Factory: Reverb’ at 180 Studios (@180.studios) until 28 Sep
Adults £20 / Children under 12 free / discounts available
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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