Cathy's Art Diary

Neat little exhibition at the Royal Academy of preparatory drawings for Lubiana Himid’s large installation work. The large work of 100 cut out figures is in the “Entangled Lands” show in the other side of the building. Each figure represents an imagined, forgotten Black figure with a rhyme on the back about who character had been and who they were made to become. It’s a work I have seen parts of many times. These preparatory studies paired a sketch with a collaged version of a figure. They were in the same bright palette of the final work and it was interesting to see her working through ideas. I was interested to see that this was Himid’s diploma work on her admission to the academy. Closes 16 June 2024  

Interesting exhibition at the Royal Academy to make Lord Leighton’s “Flaming June” on loan. I assumed the show would just be the picture, but they used it talk about Leighton’s technique and process and showed it with his small sculptures he used to create compositions and sketches for the the picture. It was also used to demonstrate the long running art historical debate on the whether sculpture or painting is the superior art form. As ever it was lovely to see the work, on loan from Puerto Rico, 128 years since it was shown in an annual Royal Academy show. I last saw in it 2017 when it was shown at Leighton House. It is an iconic picture and I love how it sits within its beautiful frame but I was surprised at how rough some of the finish was on the drapery. Closes 12 January 2025 Reviews Times Guardian Telegraph

Fascinating exhibition at the Royal Academy bringing together works on paper by Impressionist artists. There was a lovely selection of works in a variety of medium including pastels, watercolours and drawing. I also spotted a number of artists I’d not come across before such as Federico Zandomeneghi so I have lots of look up. Because it was quite busy and the works were closely hung, I found myself having some good conversations as I went around. Closed 10 March 2024 Reviews Guardian Telegraph Evening Standard

Beautiful exhibition at Hauser & Wirth pairing two pictures by Frank Bowling to mark his 90th birthday. The two works came from 1973 and now and were of a similar large scale and colour palette but demonstrated how his technique had changed. Both showed a love of the fluidity of paint. The new work “Thanks to Water” had a feeling of a pink Monet lilies painting and made me feel calm yet energised. I’ve been fascinated since to read about the technique used from soaking the canvas in water and paint then applying pink and gold paint with a mop like a performance work. This was a new way of working for him which is remarkable at 90. Closed 16 March 2024

Bright and bold exhibition at Hauser & Wirth of new work by Uman. I’m not sure I understood the work but I loved the effects of these large pictures in the white space. The blurb says they “fluidly navigate in-between realms to explore both the physical and spiritual”. I particularly liked the two inset with mirrors which bring the room and the viewer into the piece. Closed 30 March 2024

Surprisingly good exhibition at Tate Modern on the art of Yoko Ono. It is difficult to show conceptual art in exhibitions, particularly when there is a performance or interactive element, but this exhibition succeeded in giving a flavour of events and planting their ideas in a way that does make you think and participate. The show worked in participation well. Some of the actions were taken up enthusiastically, like the room at the end where you were invited to take a blue pen and add to it and tables to play all white chess, but some others weren’t so popular like the being in a bag or the shaking hands through a hole in a wall. I felt a bit sorry for the attendants with the latter two. I loved the idea of Ono’s instruction pieces putting out an idea for artists and us to take up in some way. I thought I’d find the ‘peace’ pieces a bit vapid but actually I found them simple and profound. I loved the two acorns she sent to every world leader to plant for peace on her marriage to