As we enter Women’s History Month, the art world is fired up with a line-up of unmissable exhibitions highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives of women and honouring their achievements and contributions to art and culture. Keep reading for our top picks of events and exhibitions to fill your calendar with culture this month.
The Tate Modern’s new blockbuster is a must-attend – don’t miss the chance to explore the powerful, engaging works of conceptual art pioneer Yoko Ono. This is the largest exhibition in the UK dedicated to honouring pivotal moments in Ono’s ground-breaking career, spanning from the mid-1950s to the present day.
The Hayward Gallery’s touring major group exhibition ‘Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood’ comes to the Arnolfini in Bristol this month. Immersing visitors in the diverse experiences of motherhood, the exhibition explores the joys, heartaches, mess, myths and mishaps of motherhood through over 100 artworks spanning from the feminist avant-garde to contemporary works.
‘I began thinking about this latest body of work when I became pregnant with my second child in 2022. At the same time the Roe vs Wade case, which had guaranteed women the right to abortion in America since 1973, was abruptly overturned. The combination of anger and sadness at seeing such a vital choice being taken away from women inspired me to create work depicting women with confidence, feeling free to express themselves however they choose.
My choice of compositions, expressive poses, bold pattern and vibrant sartorial choices provide the women depicted with permission to take up space: it celebrates all women’s right to a freedom of expression, identity and joy. Art and fashion have always been a refuge for me and a way of self-expression that is both creative and joyful. How the clothes, colours and shapes we wear mould our mood and change how the world sees us is powerful enough to be an act of rebellion, resilience and, at times, of much-needed comfort.’
– Susie Stone, 2024
This solo exhibition of brand new work by Olivia Bax is presented in a former methodist church, with sculptures that interact with the distinct architecture of the space. A group of enigmatic forms are positioned in the balcony pews, resembling a choir gazing downward, as if observing the sculptures from a distance.
The Borough Road Gallery at London South Bank University presents an exhibition featuring the works of Dorothy Mead and Edna Mann. Both esteemed alumni of London South Bank University, formerly known as the Borough Polytechnic, they are among the few female artists who had the privilege of studying under the renowned artist-educator, David Bomberg (1890-1957). Through the presentation of significant yet often overlooked paintings and drawings spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s, sourced from The Sarah Rose Collection—a collection emblematic of a pivotal moment in the University’s history—the exhibition aims to shed light on the individual accomplishments of these two remarkable women.
Research Curator – Dr Nicola Baird
Presented by the Crafts Council, Collect is the first major art fair in the spring London calendar, and the only fair solely dedicated to contemporary craft and design from all over the world. This year, there is an extra buzz surrounding the fair as it celebrates its 20th year.
Over 400 artists will be represented at the fair by leading galleries from all over the world. Some are returning, familiar faces bringing new works of art to the fair. And some are brand new.
A visit to Collect is a journey of discovery. As visitors weave their way around the neo-classical corridors of Somerset House, they will be animated by the work from the artists which is of the highest, collectable quality. Ceramics, glass, textiles, art, jewellery, vessels, glassware, and sculptural objects are amongst the pieces that will be on display. Each work of art, skilfully crafted by the hands of the artist and bearing a narrative intended to evoke.
Nestled amongst the exhibiting galleries, visitors will unearth 14 independent artists chosen by an advisory panel to be part of Collect Open. They are creating installations especially for the fair designed to stretch their practices and challenge visitors on material, social, political, or personal perceptions.
Grayson Perry’s ‘The Vanity of Small Differences’ is on display in Surrey for the first time at The Lightbox. Telling the story of Tim Rakewell as he navigates the complexities of twenty-first century social mobility, the exhibition comprises of six tapestries by the Turner Prize winning artist which vividly capture the diverse characters, events and objects encountered on his travels through Sunderland, Tunbridge Wells and the Cotswolds for the Channel 4 series ‘All in the Best Possible Taste’.
Between 1958 and 1961, William Crozier (1930 – 2011) embarked on a series of paintings inspired by his encounters with the natural world. However, these works were not typical ‘landscapes’ or ‘cityscapes’ but rather spontaneous expressions of his subjective viewpoint, which reflect the anxiety and unease of the Cold War period. Experience this retrospective at Piano Nobile gallery until 22 March.
London’s best event for contemporary dressmaking, sewing and stitching, The Stitch Festival, returns to the Business Design Centre from 21-24 March 2024.
The Stitch Festival offers access to over 150 big brands and indie businesses, exclusive features from leading designers, talks, demos, Q&As from your favourite sewing celebs, more catwalk shows than ever before, plus hundreds of crafting workshops.
Use code LAF24 to save on tickets*:
*Use code LAF24 and receive £2 off standard adult, concession and student tickets. Not valid on Sunday 24th March. Not valid on VIP tickets. Offer expires 11.59pm Sunday 17th March.
The UK Premiere of Zineb Sedira’s critically acclaimed exhibition ‘Dreams Have No Titles’ has arrived at Whitechapel Gallery. Initially designed for the French Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, ‘Dreams Have No Titles’ offers an immersive experience, blending film, sculpture, photography and performance. The installation intricately weaves together Sedira’s personal narrative with activist films from France, Algeria and Italy during the 60s and 70s, a significant period in avant-garde filmmaking history.
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Reconnect with leading galleries from around the world this January and enjoy an outstanding celebration of Modern and Contemporary Art.
An opportunity for you to discover and engage with iconic modernist names, through to contemporary and emerging artists.
Browse over 100 participating galleries through the button below.
The gallery is delighted announce the opening of their new gallery in Hampshire with an inaugural ‘Winter’ exhibition.
Jenna Burlingham Gallery has expanded with a move to a much larger building, Rope House, on the same street as their original space in Kingsclere. This was once a 19th-century rope merchant’s home and workshop and now has the feeling of an informal townhouse. With open galleries at ground level and drawing rooms upstairs, paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramics are displayed throughout as part of interior settings.
Sumi, or Japanese ink, has been used for Oriental calligraphic works and paintings for a long time. The need for works in Sumi, an art form backed by a long unbroken history, remains strong.
In contemporary art, which is filled with an indiscriminate mix of materials and representation techniques, works produced based on Sumi are specifically referred to as “Sumi_ism” and at #7 exhibition a collection of works from Reiko Tsunashima and Sogen Chiba, Mizuho Koyama are displayed from this field.
Kerlin Gallery are delighted to present ‘Stuck on dawn,’ Marcel Vidal’s first solo exhibition at the gallery.
Celebrated for his diverse practice and immersive sculptural installations, the exhibition brings together three series of work in Marcel Vidal’s first exhibition dedicated exclusively to painting.
A review of Ikon’s artistic programme in the 1990s, presenting work by 40 artists who showed during this period. With Elizabeth Macgregor as Director, Ikon’s outlook was increasingly international, whilst also showing an eclectic mix of British artists including Basil Beattie, Permindar Kaur, Keith Piper, Yinka Shonibare, Georgina Starr and Mark Wallinger.
It’s been a couple of weeks since London Art Fair inaugurated the global art calendar for 2024, initiating the art world year with fresh new concepts and ideas as well as a remarkable array of works by iconic names. As
There are just a few days left until London Art Fair opens its doors to launch the international art calendar for 2024. With so much to see and experience at LAF24, Fair Director Sally Bent has put together her highlights
From Jessica Wood, Publisher, ROSA Magazine ROSA’s new Sussex Art Map by Helen Cann. Courtesy of ROSA Magazine. London Art Fair 2024 carries the sweet scents of the South Downs and the Sussex seaside as England’s most culturally sophisticated region
