Tabish Khan, the @LondonArtCritic, picks his top South London exhibitions in late Summer. If you are looking for more exhibitions, check out his previous top 5.
The Hayward Gallery is a space where you want to feature an artist who knows how to fill it. Step forward Anish Kapoor, as we’re greeted by a giant red inflatable work that seems to struggle to be contained by the space, as if it could pop at any moment. Coupled with other large-scale installations, his trademark sky mirrors, and the blackest black works that warp the eyes, you’re in for a treat. Until 18th October, ticketed.
This photography exhibition is full of fantastic images in colour and black-and-white, including Dorothea Lange’s worried Migrant Mother, and Berenice Abbott’s narrow streets among tall buildings in New York. It captures a country in transition, including signs of racial segregation and everyday scenes of children playing in the street. It’s the first photography exhibition I can recall at the gallery, and it’s a great step away from its usual focus on paintings. Until 4th October; ticketed.
This impressive space can host multiple exhibitions, but on this occasion it’s been taken over by one sculpture-led exhibition curated by Nicholas Stavri. There’s an upside-down rusted car, a leaning tower of recycled materials, scarily realistic-looking animal remains, and a repurposed Nintendo in an exhibition all about how artists can reuse a wealth of materials in their practice. Until 11th September, free.
A church on fire, the haze over London during the Blitz, people sheltering in the London Underground, soldiers taking a quick cigarette break, and nurses at work. London and its people endured an awful time during World War II, and artists captured the horrors, the beauty, and the resilience of those years. There are several phenomenal paintings in every room of this free exhibition. Until 1st November, free.
Ice cream melting and dripping down your legs, a giant stuffed toy won at a fair, and relaxing by the sea. These images capture the British Summer in bright colours. It’s a great mix of kitsch, colour and wholesomeness, including works by the late Martin Parr. Until 5th September, free.
All images are copyrighted and courtesy of the relevant gallery. Anish Kapoor photo: Dave Morgan, Dulwich Picture Gallery image: © Estate of Arthur Leipzig, Courtesy of Howard Greenberg Gallery, Beauty and Destruction image copyright IWM, Photofusion image: Tabish Khan.
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Art Critic for both FAD and Londonist. See as many exhibitions as possible and write reviews, opinion pieces and a weekly top 5 for FAD.