Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Discover the Best of Visual Storytelling in London
London is a city that never ceases to amaze and inspire, especially when it comes to the arts and culture. From historical monuments and museums, to contemporary galleries and theatres, there is always something new and exciting to see and experience.
But if you are looking for something different and unique, something that will challenge your senses and imagination, then you should check out the visual storytelling scene in London. Visual storytelling is a form of art that uses images, sounds, and movements to tell a story, a message, or an emotion. It can include animation, puppetry, physical theatre, and more.
In this article, we will introduce you to six exhibitions that celebrate the art of visual storytelling in London. These exhibitions take place simultaneously with the of the Manipulate Festival, a annual event that showcases the best of visual theatre from across Europe. The festival is in its 17th year, and it runs until Sunday, February 18, at Summerhall and other venues across London.
Whether you are looking for drama, comedy, fantasy, or history, you will find something to suit your taste and mood. These exhibitions will take you on a journey across time and space, exploring the various aspects and dimensions of visual storytelling.
So, grab your coat, your Oyster card, and your curiosity, and get ready to discover the best of visual storytelling in London.
1. Victor Bengtsson: When the white root rises @ Public Gallery
If you are a fan of mythology and history, you will love this exhibition by Swedish artist Victor Bengtsson. His paintings are inspired by ancient legends and stories, such as the Greek myth of Tantalus, who was punished by the gods for his crimes. He also draws from his own background in medicine, and incorporates references to modern diseases and treatments, such as the ‘boy in the bubble’, who had to live in isolation due to his weak immune system.
Bengtsson’s paintings are made on raw jute, a coarse fabric that resembles tapestry. He also uses gold leaf, which adds a touch of luxury and contrast to his works. His paintings are rich in detail and symbolism, and they create a dialogue between the past and the present, the sacred and the profane, the natural and the artificial.
The exhibition is on until February 17, at Public Gallery, a new and independent space in East London.
2. Document Now @ Bermondsey Project Space
If you are looking for something more realistic and personal, you will enjoy this exhibition by four photographers who document their own lives and experiences. The exhibition features works by Yamam Nabeel, Luke O’Donovan, Laura Pannack, and Maryam Wahid.
Nabeel is a Iraqi-born photographer who traces his family’s journey after fleeing their homeland and travelling across Europe and the Middle East. His photographs capture the hardships and hopes of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the beauty and diversity of the places they visit.
O’Donovan is a British photographer who focuses on the industrial landscape of the UK, and the impact of coal power stations on the environment and the communities. His photographs show the imposing and ominous structures that loom over the towns and villages, as well as the people who work and live near them.
Pannack is a British photographer who explores the themes of identity, intimacy, and vulnerability, through her portraits of young people. Her photographs are honest and sensitive, and they reveal the emotions and struggles of her subjects, as well as their dreams and aspirations.
Wahid is a British-Pakistani photographer who investigates the role of women in Islam, and the challenges they face in balancing their faith and their culture. Her photographs are inspired by her own heritage and identity, and they showcase the diversity and strength of Muslim women in the UK.
The exhibition is on until February 17, at Bermondsey Project Space, a contemporary art space in South London.
3. Emma Cousin: Tunnel Vision @ Niru Ratnam
If you are looking for something more playful and colourful, you will like this exhibition by British artist Emma Cousin. Her paintings are full of eyes, literally and figuratively. She uses eyes as a motif to explore the themes of perception, vision, and perspective, and how they affect our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Cousin’s paintings are also full of humour and irony, as she pokes fun at the stereotypes and clichés that we encounter in our daily lives. For example, she paints a woman with a piercing gaze that pierces through another woman’s head, or a man with a tunnel vision that blocks his view of anything else.
Cousin’s paintings are made on canvas, wood, and paper, and they are vibrant and expressive. They invite the viewers to look closer and deeper, and to question their own assumptions and expectations.
The exhibition is on until February 24, at Niru Ratnam, a new and independent gallery in Fitzrovia.
4. Majid Fathizadeh: Ideologues of the game and other seekers of the end @ Ab-Anbar
If you are looking for something more dark and dramatic, you will appreciate this exhibition by Iranian artist Majid Fathizadeh. His paintings are inspired by the social and political issues that affect his country and the world, such as inequality, oppression, and violence.
Fathizadeh’s paintings are made on canvas, paper, and wood, and they are detailed and realistic. He uses a monochrome palette, with shades of black, white, and grey, to create a contrast and a tension in his works. He also uses symbols and metaphors, such as animals, masks, and chess pieces, to convey his messages and meanings.
Fathizadeh’s paintings are powerful and provocative, and they challenge the viewers to confront the realities and injustices of the society.
The exhibition is on until February 24, at Ab-Anbar, a contemporary art gallery in Central London.
5. Lee Simmonds: Kaleidoscopes @ Kristin Hjellegjerde, London Bridge
If you are looking for something more abstract and imaginative, you will love this exhibition by British artist Lee Simmonds. His paintings are inspired by his dreams and memories, and they are full of shapes, colours, and patterns. He uses acrylic, oil, and spray paint, as well as collage and mixed media, to create his works.
Simmonds’ paintings are also full of figures, who emerge and disappear into the background. He leaves their stories and identities open to interpretation, and he invites the viewers to create their own narratives and meanings. He also creates a contrast between the geometric and the organic, the flat and the textured, the simple and the complex.
Simmonds’ paintings are captivating and intriguing, and they stimulate the viewers’ senses and imagination.
The exhibition is on until February 17, at Kristin Hjellegjerde, a contemporary art gallery in London Bridge.
6. Robyn Lynch: Greetings from Ireland @ Now Gallery
If you are looking for something more fun and interactive, you will enjoy this exhibition by Irish fashion designer Robyn Lynch. Her installation is inspired by her own heritage and culture, and it showcases her creative process and her clothes. She uses green as the main colour, to represent Ireland and its landscape.
The installation consists of an inflatable structure, where the viewers can enter and see a series of images that show how Lynch makes her clothes. She uses recycled materials, such as old jumpers and blankets, and she transforms them into new and stylish garments. She also uses embroidery and knitting, to add texture and detail to her clothes.
The installation is also a tribute and a critique of the Irish tourism industry, and the stereotypes and clichés that it promotes. Lynch uses postcards, souvenirs, and slogans, to question and challenge the image and identity of Ireland and its people.
The exhibition is on until February 25, at Now Gallery, a public art space in Greenwich Peninsula.
