Do you know what a punnet is? 🤔 [Editor’s note: Insert dad joke here?]
It’s a small basket used for the gathering, transport and sale of fruit and vegetables, typically small berries, and my fascination with that word has come about because I unexpectedly received an invite to Wimbledon! Apparently 140,000 punnets of strawberries & cream are served at Wimbledon every year and I can’t wait to see a day of good tennis and get a taste of their quintessential, overpriced treat. 🎾 🍓
Whereas I never, ever, ever want to taste an eel pie, although I did have the pleasure of visiting Eel Pie Island recently thanks to their Summer Open Studios. It’s a rare chance to explore the very quirky communal areas of the usually locked and private island. Plus there’s some great affordable art on offer! The next (and last) open days for the year are this weekend: Sat 06 - Sun 07 July, 11a - 6pm. Just show up!
If you’re looking for fun in the sun closer to Zone 1 then I recommend grabbing some sunblock and going on a hunt for some outdoor art. Eleven ‘heritage’ icons, endangered animals and a wide range of contemporary sculptures can be found in three temporary summer offerings that join London’s permanent outdoor trails. Full details of all the trails, including photos and downloadable maps, are in my Outdoor Sculpture Trail Guide. Bookmark it and please share with your friends.
For those of you who prefer art indoors and air conditioned, check out these 5 shows:
Issue 114
Two shows filled with silly and three atmospheric experiences. Featuring: Ivar Arosenius at Fiumano Clase, hosted by sister gallery Clase Fine Art; Group show at Haricot Gallery; Firelei Báez curated by New Curators at South London Gallery; Sin Centre at Hannah Barry Gallery; Anthony McCall at Tate Modern.
Read the full issue online for mini-reviews of each show, with over 40 photos!
More Reviews:
Here’s a few things I recently reviewed in detail:
Dominion - curated by Connor Hirst @ Newport Street Gallery
I left this show wondering what could have been.
Dia Beacon (Beacon, NY) - venue review
A can’t-miss, 160,000 sq ft Mecca to large scale abstract and conceptual art.
Why I Like It: Anhelos (2016) by Andrea Ringeling
This month’s edition features a work that isn’t the one I that originally fell in love with.
What else, and what didn’t make the cut?
I began last week with high hopes that were let down immediately thanks to the annual Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. While there are some good works hidden amongst the 1,700+ on display, the vast majority are simply too safe, too plain, too middle-of-the-road generically boring. Maybe that’s why almost the entire show has already sold out? There’s nothing wrong with professionally painted “pretty” pictures, but the RA is the last place where I expect to see that kind of thing.
I also managed to see another underwhelming degree show. This time it was Postgraduate Art at Central Saint Martins. I brought my girlfriend who commented on the way out “I think I just walked into a kids Arts ‘n Crafts class!” and, well, I couldn’t have put it better.
On to the gallery scene… I didn’t really “get” the works at Cristea Roberts. The paintings of photographs — or were they painted over photographs? — just weren’t visually interesting to me. I was also indifferent about the works at South Parade (painted towels in gift bags? really?) although Aidan Duffy’s resin casts of portable radiators made me giggle. I kinda liked the retro fun-fair carnival airbrush art at SOUP but will admit that’s my childhood nostalgia talking and not my aesthetic eye. As for the current show at Sid Motion Gallery, I spent all of my time talking to Sid and her team about both their previous show and their next show.
And finally, I managed to get a free ticket to Eye of the Collector. It was hard to see the art through all the Botox but I’m glad they’ve finally acknowledged who their audience truly is by hosting this in Chelsea. This show always feels like one of the most elitist art events on the calendar, but I am continually impressed by their commitment to showcase independent galleries and new/emerging artists amongst the Auerbachs, Hirsts and six-figure furniture.
Anonymous Art Anecdotes
While recently attending a gallery that I frequent I was introduced by the proprietor to another visiting guest. After learning all about the person I was meeting the gallerist proceeded to introduce yours truly. The overview about me was a pretty succinct and accurate assessment but I couldn’t help notice that one specific word had been omitted: Critic. ‘London Art Roundup’ also wasn’t mentioned and it’s possible that the word ‘writer’ was also neglected, but I really don’t remember since the introduction sent my inner monologue into an imposter syndrome tailspin.
Looking ahead…
If there’s an official art world “pop-up season” then it’s happening this weekend, at least that’s my assumption based on the large amount of 2- and 3-day shows I’ve recently been invited to. I haven’t yet figured out which, if any, I’ll be able to squeeze into my calendar but there are a few longer running exhibitions that I’m definitely going to try to visit. You might want to check them out too?
Art Friend (@everyonesartfriend) is once again hosting ‘REJECTS’, an exhibition of works submitted to, and rejected by, the Royal Academy for their summer show. From 4-14 July at Stokey Pop Up: 147 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 0NY. Book your FREE tickets here.
KKWEER Arts (@kkweerarts) is a new non-profit dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQIA+ artists and they are hosting a group show at 15 Bateman Street, Soho W1D 3AQ curated by Ell Pennick (founder of @guts_gallery) and Gemma Rolls-Bentley (@gemmarollsbentley). Ultraviolet runs from 05-14 July.
Plus I still have to get to the group shows at Bomb Factory Marylebone (until 09 July), Flexitron (until 27 July) and Hypha Euston (until 03 Aug) as well as new gallery shows at Brooke Benington (until 03 Aug) and Richard Saltoun (3 July – 7 Sept).
Also looking ahead… It’s the Knockout Round!
I know it’s not art, but other than the weather these are the UKs biggest topics!
Please vote below… and please don’t forget to vote on Thursday, too! 🗳️