6 minute read
WHAT'S ON
The AgendaMARCH'S HOTTEST HAPPENINGS
ART
Print Fair
SOMERSET HOUSE • 26- 29 MAY
Somerset House is the new home of the London Original Print Fair, an exhibition that showcases some of the art world’s most celebrated original prints, borrowed from the collections of top international dealers, publishers and studios. It is an unmissable opportunity to browse and buy prints created over fi ve centuries and is a real must-see for those looking to add to their collection.
EXHIBITION
Feminine Power
19 May – 25 September THE BRITISH MUSEUM Feminine Power: the divine to the demonic, is the fi rst exhibition to focus solely on female spiritual beings and their presence in global mythology. It presents a cross-cultural retrospective of the diverse ways feminine spiritual power has been embodied in ancient sculptures, sacred artefacts and contemporary artworks. britishmuseum.org
ART Raphael
Until 31 July THE NATIONAL GALLERY His career only spanned two decades, but the impact of Raphael's cultural legacy is still being felt over 500 years after his death. A giant of the Italian Renaissance, Rafaello Santi was a painter, draughtsman, architect, designer and archaeologist and this exhibition explores the full extent of his multimedia work and its impact. nationalgallery.org.uk
THEATRE
STRAIGHT-LINE CRAZY
Until 18 June BRIDGE THEATRE Ralph Fiennes heads an electrifying cast in David Hare’s new theatrical portrayal of the rise and fall of visionary urban planner Robert Mose. Mose occupied a position as one of the most powerful men in New York, and his decisions not only changed the physical landscape of the city but the socio-economic one as well. bridgetheatre.co.uk
EXHIBITION
Our time on earth
5 May - 29 August BARBICAN CENTRE The Barbican’s newest group exhibition wants its attendees to view the global climate emergency from a new perspective, or rather a few new perspectives. The immersive exhibit crosses disciplines and borders to explore how we exist collectively on earth and how we may continue to do so in the future. barbican.org.uk
ARTIST
TO WATCH
Lisa Baker picks out an unmissable first ever solo photographic exhibition by RACHIDI BISSIRIOU
Rachidi Bissiriou’s Gloire Immortelle opens in early June at David Hill Gallery in Notting Hill. This remarkable exhibition o ers a previously unseen insight into one of West Africa’s greatest photographers. It captures the spirit of a pivotal historical moment by picturing the lives and styles of those who lived it.
COURTESY OF DAVID HILL GALLERY AND THE ARTIST, RACHIDI BISSIRIOU, UNTITLED, 1970
Born in 1950 in the village of Kétou, Bissiriou began photographing members of his community after Benin was fi nally granted independence in 1960. He inadvertently documented an intense period of seismic cultural and political shifts through his disarmingly beautiful portraits of
local people as he found them. The images illuminate the diversity and beauty of West African style during the period, a fusion of traditional attire and a burgeoning westernised youth culture. Bissiriou’s innate photographic talent shines through in the delicate framing and lighting.This Month’s
Must See
DEUTSCHE BÖRSE
THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S GALLERY • UNTIL 12 JUNE
The annual Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize acknowledges the artists that have made a signifi cant contribution to the medium over the previous twelve months. This year’s fi nalists are all photographers whose work presents a unique vision of a specifi c region or community and their nominated projects will be exhibited alongside a program of talks and events and the winner will be announced on May 12. thephotographersgallery.org.uk
COURTESY OF DAVID HILL GALLERY AND THE ARTIST, RACHIDI BISSIRIOU, UNTITLED, 1978
Rachidi Bissiriou: Gloire Immortelle, 10 June–29 July 2022. For more information visit @davidhill_photo and davidhillgallery.net
NEW LUAP MURAL PORTOBELLO ROAD
Word UP
Kensington + Chelsea Art Week is back with a focus on poetry alongside the popular art trails and more
KCAW HIGH STREET WINDOWS Kensington + Chelsea Art Week is a free arts and culture festival that shines a spotlight on the area‘s unique cultural variety. KCAW brings together 150+ venues, including studios, museums, galleries, exhibition spaces, and businesses, attracting local and international audiences.
The fifth edition of KCAW will take place from 23 June to 3 July, with the muchanticipated Public Art Trail installed across 9 zones from 18 June and will last most of the summer. Expect themed activities, talks, and digital activities, KCAW22 will be an opportunity to discover anew the outstanding cultural o ering of the
Royal Borough. This year, and back by popular demand, the Art Week welcomes a new curator Bella Bonner-Evans to deliver KCAW x Chelsea Windows in the
King’s Road. Here, artists are paired with retailers on this iconic road. The project, supported by Sloane Stanley for the 3rd year, is focused on platforming emerging talent across the visual culture sector. Bella works with a considerable network of emerging artists who she seeks to champion through exceptional and unusual projects. Her curatorial approach puts the quality, inventiveness, and ingenuity of the work first, spotlighting artists of all identities and experiences equally.
She says: "The project brings enrichment to the borough while o ering vital opportunities to the young London-based artists who have bravely weathered the pandemic, in line with this year’s Art Week theme 'NOURISH'. For 2022, Kensington and Chelsea Windows will be filled with exceptional artwork by emerging voices on the cusp of greatness. Budding collectors will find their next artist to watch, local people will see delightful surprises along their commute, and all will have the chance to encounter work by London's next generation of artists."
In order to give greater visibility to locally based creative talent, for the third year running, KCAW22 is inviting poets and spoken word artists to submit poetry to be displayed in shop and gallery windows during the festival. Their work will be shared on the digital Culture Map, both as text and as spoken word video/audio, in the KCAW printed guide, and be part of guided tours in partnership with the walking app Go Jauntly. Last year’s KCAW High Street Windows artist LUAP, and his much-loved Pink Bear, will return to South Kensington in June. LUAP is creating an immersive corridor of mirrors and light – all free and accessible by all – at the Exhibitionist Hotel in Queensberry Place.
Participation in KCAW22 is an opportunity to engage new audiences, provide a platform to publish work in new formats, and this year, with the theme NOURISH, the festival is including food and drinks venues as part of its core programming, via the guided tours and more, all in celebration of our Global culture, people, connections, and joy!
