After Nyne's Must-See Exhibitions, Sept/Oct Openings
Originally published in After Nyne Issue 11, After Nyne Editorial Assistant Jessica Rayner chooses her must-see exhibitions launching in Sept/Oct 2016
Turner Prize 2016, Tate Britain, 27 September – 2 January
One of the most prestigious awards in the art calendar, the Turner Prize seeks to spark debate around the latest developments in contemporary art by putting the spotlight on a new breed of artists. This year’s shortlist consists of Anthea Hamilton, Michael Dean, Helen Marten and Josephine Pryde all of whom seek to reflect on living in a world saturated by images and the increasingly expansive reach of the web. The shortlisted artists will display pieces at the Tate Britain from September producing once again a wonderfully weird exhibition that evokes a blend of bemusement and excitement amongst audiences.
Beyond Caravaggio, National Gallery, 12 October – 15 January
Presenting the first major UK exhibition of works by Caravaggio, audiences are given the opportunity to explore artworks by one of the art world’s most revolutionary figures. The Italian artist became infamous as a result of his paintings that combined realistic observation with an intensity of lighting. A master of his craft Caravaggio seduced audiences with the visual depth and highly emotive nature of his pieces. The Caravaggesque style held an influential place in art history, with the National Gallery bringing together works by Caravaggio and the artists he inspired.
Guerrilla Girls: Is it even worse in Europe? Whitechapel Gallery, 1 October – 5 March
As part of a commission by London’s Whitechapel Gallery, ‘Is it even worse in Europe?’ marks the first dedicated UK show from the infamous feminist activists Guerrilla Girls. After decades of exposing inequality in the art world, sparking fierce debate surrounding gender and art, the collective regularly names and shames galleries where female artists are lacking. In this new display the collective revisit a 1986 poster ‘It’s even worst in Europe’ to explore the representation of artists who are female, gender non-conforming or from an ethnic minority to reveal new statistics on the state of galleries in Europe. Presenting a show that hopes to tell an interesting and positive story of contemporary art’s diverse history.
You Say You Want A Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-70 V&A, 10 September – 26 February
Exploring the era-defining significance on the rebellious spirit of the late 1960s upon life today, the V&A present a major exhibition of the revolutionary years of 1966 to 1970. A period marked by consumerism, environmentalism, computing and multiculturalism, the show investigates the upheaval and explosive sense of freedom that lead to a fundamental shift in the Western’s world mind-set. A collection of over 350 objects including photography, posters, literature, film and fashion the show seeks to highlight how a youth culture fuelled by optimism came together to question society’s established power structures. The exhibition will be a fully immersive experience integrating visuals with video and moving image.
Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s, The Photographers’ Gallery, 7 October – 8 January
The Photographers’ Gallery presents an expansive display of 48 international female artists, with works from the Verbund Collection in Vienna. The exhibition features over 150 major artworks that highlight the provocative techniques, which shaped the feminist art movement and stands as a reminder of the wide of impact of a generation of artists. Presenting work from artists such as Valie Export and Cindy Sherman, the images featured showcases a collection of women galvanised to use their work to engage with gender politics, whilst challenging male dominance in the art industry.
Abstract Expressionism, Royal Academy of Arts, 24 September – 2 January
A movement associated with the boundless creative energy of 1950s New York, Abstract Expressionism explores a period of American art defined by the likes of Pollock and Rothko. Presenting works that were both rebellious in spirit and confident in their break from convention the intensively expressive pieces redefined conceptions of painting. The Royal Academy bring together a collection of the most celebrated art offering a chance to experience impactful nature of Pollock, Rothko, Newman, de Kooning, Kline, Smith, Still and Gorky.
Paul Nash, Tate Britain, 26 October – 5 March
An artist characterised by a fascination with Britain’s ancient past, Nash’s work reveals the mystical side of classic English landscapes. Tate Britain presents a retrospective of work from the distinctive British painter, featuring his earliest drawings through to his iconic WW2 paintings, charting how his unique style of interpretation evolved throughout his career reinforcing his relevance to British modern art.
The EY Exhibition: Wifredo Lam, Tate Modern, 14 September – 8 January
As the Tate Modern strives to exhibit an increasingly international collection of art, the gallery delivers a chance to discover one of Cuba’s most notable artists. The major retrospective of Wilfredo Lam’s work celebrates his place at the centre of global modernism. An artist who takes influence from living through many years of political upheaval including the Spanish Civil War, which he channels into defining a new way of painting for a post-colonial world, whilst addressing themes of social injustice and spirituality.
@jessicamrayner
