Blooming Good Art!
London’s cultural calendar is practically teeming with exciting new openings across the city. And as the cocoon of winter has lifted, galleries too are injecting new life into their line-ups. From hallowed institutions to hidden gems, we round up the must-see exhibitions opening in this month, promising to inspire, provoke, and delight!
British visual artist Marc Quinn’s newly opened exhibition at West London’s leafy Kew Gardens explores the complex bond between nature and humanity through 17 larger-than-life sculptures. Using mirrored stainless steel, Quin blurs the lines between viewer, artwork and landscape inviting the audiences to become a part of the art around them, offering a truly immersive experience.
Tapping Kew's experts in science and horticulture, Quinn draws upon the rich diversity of nature's forms and contours, highlighting their profound beauty and significance, particularly poignant in an era of ecological fragility. This exhibition is not merely a display of Quinn's artistry but an enlightening journey into the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
Kew Gardens, 4th May - 29th September 2024
Discover more at kew.org...
The upcoming exhibition at the Giorgio Armani Shop on Sloane Street celebrates the longstanding relationship between Aldo Fallai and Giorgio Armani, who frist met in Milan in the early 1970s. Titled "Aldo Fallai per Giorgio Armani," this showcase spans three decades of creative synergy, presenting 26 images captured between 1977 and 2021, complemented by informative infographics.
Curated by Mr. Armani himself, alongside Rosanna Armani and Leo Dell’Orco, the exhibition sheds light on the collaboration between photographer and designer, which has indelibly shaped the essence of the Armani aesthetic. From commanding portraits to tender moments, each image tells a story of style and personality, as Fallai skillfully captured the essence of "real people in real clothes."
Giorgio Armani Store, 12th May - 2nd June 2024
Discover more at armanisilos.com...
The latest exhibition at Japan House London, titled "What Does Design Mean to You?" brings together seven unique perspectives under one roof. By paying homage to Japan's rich regional heritage and centuries-old legacy, this exhibition showcases a wide array of displays, spanning from ancient Jōmon pottery to contemporary sportswear design, musical instruments, and traditional festivals. Through a fusion of various mediums, the exhibition provides an immersive experience, inviting visitors to actively participate by contributing their own "treasures" to a global design map, thus sharing their personal insights and ideas about the essence of design.
Japan House, 15th May - 8th September 2024
Discover more at japanhouselondon.uk...
Step into a vibrant world of artistic exploration with Kate Daudy's debut exhibition "SUPERBLOOM" at Lyndsey Ingram. Renowned for her diverse works spanning sculpture, textiles, literary interventions, and grand public installations, Daudy unveils a new collection that honours nature as a mirror to contemporary human existence. With ‘SUPERBLOOM’ Daudy draws parallels between the rare, breathtaking spectacle of desert flowers blooming in mass and the complexities of our societal landscape.
The exhibition showcases an array of Daudy's latest creations, from striking sculptures to intricate felt panels and expressive works on paper. Additionally, the exhibition serves as a platform for her latest citywide initiative in support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, titled "The Seeds of Hope." Keep a keen eye out for Daudy's felt décopage flowers and weeds adorning street corners, cafes, and other urban spaces as part of this inspiring intervention.
Lyndsey Ingram, 10th May - 14th June 2024
Discover more at lyndseyingram.com...
Returning for the second time to Sadie Coles HQ, New York-based artist Georgia Gardner Gray, delves into the intricacies of social performativity in her latest exhibition. Inspired by the Spanish institution Cobrador del Frac, Gray brings to life a series of vibrant paintings. Her carnivalesque scenes, awash with tangerine, fushia and red, feature characters drawn from capitalist archetypes, internet subcultures, and beyond. With her dynamic strokes, Gray asks the view to contemplate universal concepts of identity and societal roles in an ever-evolving world.
Sadie Coles HQ, 11th May - 15th June 2024
Discover more at sadiecoles.com...
Photo London
Each year, the storied Somerset House opens its doors to the public for a long weekend. For its 9th edition, Photo London will run from May 16th to 19th. With a lineup of over 120 international exhibitors, both new and returning, the display offers viewers the chance to explore the world of photography at its fullest.
The fair will also exhibit an exciting solo show by Photo London Master Photography of the Year Award Winner, Valérie Belin. The French photographer is known for her monumental photographs investigating identity and representation, often using the human body as a vessel. This year’s Photo London is an unmissable experience for enthusiasts and collectors alike!
Somerset House 16-19 May 2024
Discover more at photolondon.org...
