Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
London is a cultural hub that never ceases to amaze and inspire. This January, the city offers a plethora of art exhibitions that cater to every taste and interest. Whether you are looking for a dose of history, a splash of color, or a touch of cuteness, you will find something to suit your mood and curiosity. Here are my top five picks for the best art shows to see in London this month.
Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration at the V&A
Lucian Freud, trial proof of Pluto Aged Twelve, 2000, etching printed by Marc Balakjian. Image: V&A
Lucian Freud is one of the most celebrated and influential British artists of the 20th century. Known for his unflinching and intimate portraits, he also produced a remarkable body of etchings that reveal his mastery of line and tone. This exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum showcases over 50 of his etchings, many of which have never been seen before. They span six decades of his career, from the 1940s to the 2000s, and feature some of his most iconic subjects, such as his dogs, his lovers, and his self-portraits.
The exhibition also explores Freud’s creative collaboration with master printer Marc Balakjian, who worked with him for more than 20 years. Balakjian helped Freud achieve his artistic vision by experimenting with different techniques, papers, and inks. The exhibition displays the trial proofs and the final prints, revealing the process and the evolution of each work. Balakjian also shares his personal insights and anecdotes about working with Freud, shedding light on the artist’s personality and work ethic.
Lucian Freud’s Etchings: A Creative Collaboration is a rare opportunity to see the lesser-known but equally compelling side of Freud’s oeuvre. It is a testament to his skill, dedication, and innovation as an artist and a printmaker.
When: Opens 22 January 2024 Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 2RL
Barbara Kruger Thinking Of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You at the Serpentine South Gallery
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Your body is a battleground), 1989. Image: Serpentine Galleries
Barbara Kruger is one of the most influential and provocative artists of our time. Her bold and striking works combine text and images to challenge the power structures and ideologies that shape our society. She addresses issues such as gender, class, consumerism, and identity, using slogans and questions that confront the viewer and invite reflection.
This exhibition at the Serpentine South Gallery is her first solo show in London in more than 20 years. It features a selection of her installations, moving images, and soundscapes, spanning from the 1980s to the present day. Among the highlights is Untitled (Your body is a battleground), a poster that she created for the Women’s March on Washington in 1989 in support of reproductive freedom. The poster depicts a woman’s face split into two halves with contrasting colors, symbolizing the conflict and the struggle over women’s rights and autonomy.
Barbara Kruger Thinking Of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You is a powerful and timely exhibition that showcases Kruger’s ability to engage and challenge the viewer with her art. It is a reminder of the relevance and the urgency of her message, especially in the current social and political climate.
When: 1 February – 17 March 2024 Where: Serpentine South Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA
Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads at The Courtauld Gallery
Frank Auerbach, Head of Helen Gillespie II, 1962. Image: Frank Auerbach and Frankie Rossi Art Projects, London
Frank Auerbach is one of the leading artists of the School of London, a group of figurative painters that emerged in the post-war era. Alongside his peers Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, he developed a distinctive style of painting that captured the essence and the emotion of his subjects, often through thick and expressive brushstrokes.
However, Auerbach also made a series of haunting heads drawn in charcoal, which are less known but equally impressive. These drawings, which he produced between 1958 and 1966, depict his close friends and family, such as his wife Julia, his son Jake, and his fellow artist Leon Kossoff. He spent months on each drawing, reworking them during numerous sessions with his sitters. The result is a series of intense and expressive portraits that reveal the depth and the complexity of his relationship with his models.
This exhibition at The Courtauld Gallery is the first to focus exclusively on Auerbach’s charcoal heads. It brings together 15 of his drawings, some of which have never been exhibited before. It also includes a selection of his paintings and sketches, providing a context and a contrast to his charcoal works.
Frank Auerbach: The Charcoal Heads is a rare chance to see a different aspect of Auerbach’s art, one that is more intimate and personal. It is a tribute to his skill, dedication, and sensitivity as a draughtsman and a portraitist.
When: 24 January – 28 April 2024 Where: The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 0RN
CUTE at Somerset House
Hannah Diamond, Hi, 2013. Image: Somerset House
What is it that makes us find something to be cute? Whether it’s a Hello Kitty plush toy, a sugary pop song, or a cat video, we are drawn to all things cute. But what is the origin and the meaning of this phenomenon? How does it affect our emotions, our behavior, and our culture?
These are some of the questions that CUTE, a new exhibition at Somerset House, aims to answer. Working with artists, brands, and video games, the exhibition explores the history, the science, and the impact of cuteness, from its roots in Japan to its global spread. It features over 200 objects and artworks, ranging from kawaii characters to furry friends, from candy-colored fashion to adorable animations.
CUTE is not just an exhibition, but an immersive and interactive experience. Visitors can enter a giant dollhouse, play with virtual pets, and even create their own cute avatars. The exhibition also examines the darker and the deeper aspects of cuteness, such as its role in social media, consumerism, and activism.
CUTE is a fun and fascinating exhibition that celebrates and interrogates our obsession with cuteness. It is a must-see for anyone who loves cute things, or who wants to understand why we do.
When: 25 January – 14 April 2024 Where: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA
The Glass Heart: Art, Industry & Collaboration at Two Temple Place
Chris Day, The Black Presence, 2020. Image: Two Temple Place
Glass is one of the most versatile and beautiful materials in the world. It can be shaped, colored, and decorated in endless ways, creating stunning works of art that reflect light and life. Glass is also a product of industry and innovation, requiring skill, technology, and collaboration to produce.
This exhibition at Two Temple Place celebrates the art and the craft of glass, featuring over 100 works by more than 70 artists and makers. It spans over 170 years of glass history, from the Great Exhibition of 1851 to the present day. It showcases the diversity and the creativity of glass, from stained glass windows to contemporary sculptures, from functional objects to abstract forms.
The exhibition also highlights the stories and the collaborations behind the glass, revealing the people, the places, and the processes that shaped the works. It features works by renowned artists such as William Morris, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Dale Chihuly, as well as emerging talents such as Chris Day, Shelley James, and Matt Durran. It also includes works by glass factories, studios, and collectives, such as Whitefriars, Studio Glass, and North Lands Creative.
The Glass Heart: Art, Industry & Collaboration is a dazzling and inspiring exhibition that showcases the beauty and the potential of glass. It is a tribute to the artists and the makers who have transformed glass into art.
When: 29 January – 19 April 2024 Where: Two Temple Place, 2 Temple Place, WC2R 3BD
