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Beyond Bloomsbury

Dora Carrington - Pallant House (until 27 april 2025)

From The Press Release: The first museum exhibition of works by Dora Carrington (1893-1932) in almost 30 years.

As a significant contributor to Modern British art during the interwar years and an associate of the Bloomsbury Group, Carrington was described as ‘the most neglected serious painter of her time’ by former Tate Director, Sir John Rothenstein. This exhibition aims to reposition Carrington in the history of Modern British art. Spanning paintings, drawings and prints from across her career, the exhibition includes film and photographs from private and public collections. It forms a powerful portrait of Carrington, exploring her defiance of gender norms and her circle of eminent friends. Taken together, her artworks, many made for her friends, capture a Bohemian way of life: loving, creative, domestic and intimate.

Some of my favourites:

Lily c1928 (tinsel picture)

Lytton Strachey bookplate c 1925 Woodcut on paper

New Year's letter addressed to 'Jack' St John Hutchinson with a rough-proof bookplate for his 1923-27 diary

Bookplate for John Fothergill 1917

Frances Penrose on the beach - No date - ink on paper

Woman with cat c 1924 - pencil and ink with wire and net collage

The Stealing of the Mona Lisa in Daylight from the Louvre c1913

Letter to Mark Gerther 'Self Portrait' 1916

and now a few favourites from

Pallant House Gallery

Christopher Wood - China Dogs

Peter Blake - Love 2007

Susie MacMurray - After Shell 2006

Detail

Elizabeth frink - Chess pieces bronze c1969

Pawn

John Armstrong - The Open Door 1930

Minature Display

James Tower - Shell Vase 1958

and in the print room, their current exhibition:

Prints by Ron King and Roy Fisher

and drawn from their collection, an exhibition entitled:

Pattern: Rhythm and Repition

which featured this FAB painted wood construction by Joe Tilson:

1-5 The Senses (1963)

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St Ives

So good to be back in St Ives.

And a visit to Tate gallery is of course essential:

A few of my favourites:

Roger Hilton - Oi Yoi Yoi 1963 / William Turnbull - Idol II 1956/ Modgliani - Head 1911-12

Andrew Lanyon - The Discovery of Afred Wallis by Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood on a vist to St Ives in 1928 - 50 years after (1978-79)

Ben Nicholson - 1933 (guitar) 1933

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham - Rock Theme, St Just (1953)

And a visit to Barbara Hepworth's garden is another essential 'To Do':

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Between Worlds

Ithell Colquhoun at Tate, St Ives - Until 5 May 2025

from the Press release:

An innovative writer and practicing occultist, Colquhoun charted her own course, investigating surrealist methods of unconscious picture-making and fearlessly delving into the realms of myth and magic.

Colquhoun explored the possibilities of a divine feminine power as a path to personal fulfilment and societal transformation. Her understanding of the world as a connected spiritual cosmos brought her to Cornwall, where she deepened her creative explorations, inspired by the region’s ancient landscape, Celtic traditions, and sacred sites.

The exhibition of over 200 artworks and archival materials traces Colquhoun’s evolution, from her early student work and engagement with the surrealist movement, to her fascination with the intertwining realms of art, sexual identity, ecology and occultism. It culminates in a room dedicated to Colquhoun’s interpretation of the Tarot deck – her most accomplished fusion of her artistic and magical practice.

Some of my favourites from the show:

No. 7 (Self-Portrait), Candle-light c1927-30 - watercolour on paper

Untitled (Self-Portrait) c1927-30 - Watercolour and graphite on paper

Nativity, 1929 - Oil on canvas

Humfry Gilbert garth Payne 1935 - oil on canvas

Sun-Flower 1936 - oil on canvas

Autumnal Equinox 1949 - oil on canvas

Untitled 1941 - watercolour

Untitled 1942

Torso 1981 - enamel paint on board

Untitled (Drawing of a face coloured blue and yellow) c1942 Watercolour on tracing paper

Dance of the Nine Maidens 1940 - watercolour and ink on paper (detail)

Based on a cornish legend in which a group of women are turned to stone as punishment for dancing on the Sabbath. the story is connected to numerous neolithic stone circles in Cornwall.

And three from her Bonsoir series (42 in total):

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En Garde

Ron Mueck at Thaddaeus Ropac

From the press release: A colossal trio of black dogs, standing almost three metres tall with ears pricked and hackles raised, reveals Ron Mueck’s latest sculptural developments. Conceived as a single edition for his third solo exhibition at the Fondation Cartier, Paris (2023), it now makes its UK debut at Thaddaeus Ropac, London.

The work’s title - a command used in fencing that calls players to adopt a defensive stance - not only describes the dogs’ alert and menacing poses but also serves as a warning to the viewer. It invites us to consider our own readiness to participate in the sculpture’s choreography. Although packs of dogs have been a recurring interest for Mueck for many years – clay and wax models have long populated his studio – En Garde marks the first time this subject has been brought to fruition on a monumental scale.

En Garde, 2023 Mixed Media 285 x 480 x 530 cm (112.2 x 188.98 x 208.66 in)

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Shadow Self

Teresa Pągowska at Thaddaeus Ropac

Kapiel (bath) 1974 Oil on canvas

Niebieskie mewy (Blue seagulls) 2006 - acrylic on canvas

Untitled, after 1986 - gouache and pastels on paper

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Expressions in Blue

Felicity Aylieff at Kew Gardens

And some favourites from

The Shirley Wood Collection

Gael Sellwood - Iris 'Supersition' watercolour on vellum

Julia Trickey - Tulipa 'Orange favourite' 2014 - watercolour and gouache

Ursula Romero (Jess Shepherd) - Pandemic Pansy II - Watercolour on paper

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SFER IK

Near Tulum, Mexico

On my recent road trip through the Yucatan peninsular we came across this extraordinary museum in the jungle. My selection of photos above can't begin to capture the magic of the place.

An awe-inspiring experience!

From Lonely Planet: You feel like you’re in a giant cocoon. Nature surrounds you, inside and out: Curving walkways and bridges made of the vine-like bejuco wood guide you past mind-bending artwork, while the undulating cement walls open here and there to bright skies and dense tropical forest. Dreamlike and surreal, SFER IK Museum was conceived so viewers could experience world-class art alongside Tulum's natural elements; it does just that, heightening your experience of both the art and the space. Utterly unique and completely unexpected, a visit here is unmissable.

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Casa de los Venados

Just returned from a road trip through Yucatan Peninsular, Mexico. Should you ever be passing through Valladolid one day, Casa de Los Venados is a must see destination. It's home to the largest-ever private collection of Mexican folk and contemporary art. An amazing place.

A few of my favourites from a collection of over 3000 pieces.

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Open Wound

Mire Lee

Hyundai Commission

From The Press Release: Drawing inspiration from Tate Modern's history as a power station, Mire Lee transforms the Turbine Hall with fabric hanging sculptures and epic mechanical installations, reimagining the space as a living factory. A mix of materials such as silicone and chains bring her creations to life and challenge our ideas of what is beautiful, perverse, provocative and desirable. 

Open Wound invites us to revel in contradictory emotions: from awe and disgust to compassion, fear and love.

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Zanele Muholi

at Tate Modern

From the Press Release: Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. From the early 2000s, they have documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities.

Muholi IV (2023)

Manzi I, west Coast, Cape Town 2021

Brave Beauties, Durban 2020

Ncinda 2023

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Expressionists

Kandinsky, Münter and The Blue Rider

At Tate Modern

From the Press release: Groundbreaking work of a circle of friends and close collaborators known as The Blue Rider. In the early 20th century they came together to form, in their own words, ‘a union of various countries to serve one purpose’ – to transform modern art. The artists rallied around Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter to experiment with colour, sound and light, creating bold and vibrant art.

Some favourites from the exhibition:

Elizabeth Epstein - Self Portrait 1911

Marianne Werefkin - The Skaters 1911

Wassily Kandinsky - Lady in Moscow 1912

Wassily Kandinsky - Impression III (Concert) 1911

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Turner Prize 2024

at Tate Britain

Shortlisted artists:

Pio Abad

Pio Abad’s art explores cultural loss and colonial histories, often reflecting on his upbringing in the Philippines. Featuring drawings, etchings and sculptures that depict and transform artifacts from British museums, Abad sheds light on their overlooked histories and connects them to our lives today.

1897.76.36.18.6 No 1-18

Kiss the hand You Cannot Bite 2019

John savage - Portrait of Prince Giola, Son of King Moangis 1692

Giola's Lament 20123

Jasleen Kaur

Jasleen Kaur makes installations by gathering and remaking objects from everyday life to renegotiate tradition and agreed myths. An automated harmonium, kinetic worship bells and red Ford Escort covered in an oversized doily are composed into an immersive sonic score, reflecting inherited and withheld histories.

The Chorus 2023

Detail

Delaine Le Bas

Delaine Le Bas transforms her surroundings into monumental immersive environments filled with painted fabrics, theatrical costumes, and sculptures. Her art draws on the rich cultural history of the Roma people and mythologies, focusing on themes of death, loss, and renewal.

Claudette Johnson

Claudette Johnson creates striking figurative portraits of Black women and men, using pastels, gouache and watercolour. Her art examines the marginalisation of Black people in Western art history, often through portrayals of family and friends.

Figure in raw umber - Pastel on paper 2018

Reclining Figure - Pastel and gouche 2017

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Place-ness

The Centre Pompidou Málaga to 28 march 2025

Back in this Fab city and great gallery.

Richard Long Cornwall Slate Circle 1981

Pierre Roy - A day in The Country c 1932

Daniel Spoerri - The Shower 1961

Natalia Goncharova - A city c 1911

Patkai - White City c 1975

Victor Brauner - The Dreaming City 1937

Francois Bouillon - Echo-Ecco 1984

Studio 5.5 - Cared-for Chair with Crutch

Redemption, 2012 - 2014

David Hockney - The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire 2011

Also, currently showing, a great separate exhibition covering the work of

Carlos Cruz-Diez

Physichromie 450, 1969

Addition Chromatique 1964

Induction chromatique No 54 Bleu + Noir = Jaune, 1973

Labrinthe de Transchromie B, 1969-2017

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Rebel Visionary

Leonora Carrington at Newlands House Gallery, Petworth to 26 October 2024

The Daughter of the Minotaur 2010

Human with Fox 2010

Butterfly Mantaray 2008

Beast on Oatmeal background 1956

Cat Without Boots 2011 (bronze sculpture 8 of 10)

Leonora's woman with horse's head and wings on cupboard door - image 2022

Red unicorn on cupboard door - image 2022

Leonora's horse/woman on door - image 2022

Set of three masks made for The Tempest, 1959 and detail

Installation shots

Bronze masks 2010

Some favourites:

A 'short' edit of the film of Leonora being interviewed which you can see at the exhibition:

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Mayfair ART MOOCH

Continuum

Minoru Nomata at White Cube gallery

From The Press release: His art is characterised by a lack of human presence, his works depict imaginary architectural structures and enigmatic landscapes that transcend time and place. Conjuring an unfamiliar world that is nonetheless tethered to reality, his visionary paintings evoke a disquieting sense of alienation. “Lack, deficiency, insecurity, isolation and the unknown – those so-called negative feelings can also be a creative trigger for me to create something”, the artist has said.

I, ROBOT

Sorayama at Almine Rech gallery

From The Press release: Sorayama’s ongoing Sexy Robots series ponders the alluring, intimidating imaginary of a cyborg human, merging woman and droid, fleshy anatomy and flashy armor, in a cheeky and unsettling continuum from the Hollywood pin-up to the fantastical future. Sorayama channels aesthetic visions from Bert Stern to Mel Ramos, Brancusi to Rolls Royce, Egypt to the Oscars.

Chronicles

Ahmed Mater - Christie's from 17 July to 22 August.

Tbilisi Independent

Frieze - Cork Street.

Highlighting five young, female-run galleries from the Georgian capital: 

Niniko Morbedadze - We love animals (series) 2024

Assemblage pieces by Temple Pharmacy

Layers of Time

Giorgio Morandi and Alexis Ralaivao at Nahmad Projects

Morandi Natura Morta 1946 - Ralaivao - Nature morte aux trois citrons 2024

From The Press release:

Morandi’s oeuvre, characterised by its restrained palette and masterful use of light and shadow, invites viewers into a world of quiet contemplation. Through his timeless still lifes, Morandi transforms mundane objects into symbols of deeper human experience, prompting reflection on the nature of existence itself. In contrast, Ralaivao’s paintings burst with energy and sensuality, capturing fleeting moments of intimacy and anticipation. His bold use of colour and dynamic compositions draw viewers into a world where every brushstroke pulses with life, inviting them to explore the boundaries between reality and imagination. 

Although the artists may seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance, their works share a profound reverence for the subtleties of everyday objects and a commitment to exploring the essence of perception itself. Both artists engage viewers by highlighting the compositional aspect of their artwork alongside material surfaces. While Morandi’s compositions resemble studio photography, evoking a sense of familial assembly akin to a wedding portrait, Ralaivao’s works reflect the influence of contemporary mobile phone photography, where the camera becomes an active participant in capturing moments and sparking immediate reflection and dialogue.

Together, Morandi and Ralaivao weave a narrative that transcends the constraints of a single frame, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of still life compositions. Born nearly a century apart, this exhibition reveals the shared differences between two artists, across generations, finding themselves in the same city, and united by a common bond: their unwavering dedication to the art of painting.

“Both Ralaivao and Morandi are reductive artists, their language is quiet, the tone of their paintings cool, and it feels quite fitting that this exhibition should be a closely selected one. It offers a tantalising starter, and leaves me wanting more.” – Paul Coldwell 

Morandi - Natura Morta 1950 - Ralaivao Citrons et saladier jaune 2024

Alexis Ralaivao - Art Nouveau Shadow 2024

“I believe that nothing can be more abstract, more unreal, than what we actually see. We know that all we can see of the objective world, as human beings, never really exists as we see and understand it. Matter exists, of course, but has no intrinsic meaning of its own, such as the meaning we attach to it.” – Giorgio Morandi

Mayor gallery

Waldemar Cordeiro

From The Press Release: The first solo exhibition in Europe of visionary Brazilian artist, Waldemar Cordeiro (b. 1925 Rome, Italy – d. 1973 São Paulo, Brazil). Fifteen works, many of which have never been shown outside Brazil, form the basis of this exhibition in which different phases of Cordeiro’s intensive production from the late 1940s to his early death in 1973 are brought into new curatorial focus.   Regarded as the greatest of Brazil’s exponents of concrete art in the 1950s, Cordeiro was an original and visionary practitioner and theorist, who brought both these domains together in an astonishingly productive oeuvre.

Installation shot

Transposição Cromática Estudo da Cor, 1958

Untitled 1960

Liberdade 1964

EXORCISM: INSIDE OUT

Penny Slinger at Richard Saltoun Gallery

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Now You See us

Women Artists in Britain 1520 - 1920

Tate Britain

A selection of my favourites from the show:

Anne Brigman - Soul of the Blasted Pine 1907

Clementina Hawarden - Clementina Maude 5 Princes Gardens c1861-1862

Laura Knight - At the Edge of the Cliff c1917

Henrietta Rae - A Baccante 1885 (left)

Anna Lea Merritt - Love Locked out 1890 (right)

Minnie Jane Hardman - Study of the Wrestlers c1883

Gwen John - Self-Portrait 1902

Nina Hammett - Still Life with a Blue Jug 1917

Vanessa Bell - Still Life on Corner of a Mantlepiece 1914

Ethel Walker - Decoration: The Exursion of Nausicaa 1920 & detail

Ethel Wright - The Music Room. Portrait of Una Dugdale c1912

Una Dugdale Duval - Love and Honour but NOT Obey 1912

Helen Saunders - Portrait of a Woman 1914

Helen Saunders - Study for Vorticist Composition in Black and White c1915

and in the Duveen gallery:

Grace

Alvaro Barrington

also currently showing is

Sargent and Fashion

Nonchaloir (Repose) 1911

Rose-Marie Ormond reclines, perhaps asleep, on a sofa in an elegant, unidentified interior. On loan for this exhibition from the National Gallery of Art, Washington

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Light into Life

Marc Quinn at Kew Gardens (until 29 September, 2024)

Light into Life (The Evolution of Forms) 2024

Singularity (Bismarckia) 2024

Event Horizon (Sabal) 2024

Our Botanic Selves (Himalayan May Apple) 2024

and inside the temperate house:

In the Shirley Sherwood Collection the Quinn exhibition continues:

The Shirley Sherwood Gallery has an amazing collection of watercolours. Here are two gorgeous paintings by Brigid Edwards :

Poppy seed 1999

Squash

Thanks wonderful Kew Gardens!

The Princess of Wales Conservatory