WHAT'S ON | RECOMMENDED
LONDON, LIVERPOOL, CAMBRIDGE
For putting together our list of art exhibitions in December we've picked a mix of solo and group shows for an intriguing look at what's on all over the UK. From one of the most historically important British artists, to first solo exhibitions in the UK and including current and future heroes; this month the art calendar is packed full of fantastic things to see. Some will probably be on your radar, so to balance it out we've included some which might not be, but definitely should. Get intrigued and during this month of gifting, see what you can treat yourself to!
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23 September - 16 February
TURNER PRIZE 2024 - TATE BRITAIN, LONDON
If you want to dive head first and be engulfed and embraced in the most thought provoking discussions on identity and culture happening in art today; go to the Turner Prize. You don't have to like everything, you don't have to appreciate every detail, but you do have to listen, involve yourself and immerse your perspective in others lives; and if you do this show will open your eyes, or at the very least entertain you for a while. Pio Abad's work explores colonial histories, cultural losses and overlooked histories through brilliant drawings, etchings, sculpture and artefacts. Claudette Johnson examines the lives of black people and their marginalisation in Western art history through her portrayal of family, friends and imagined bodies in wonderful figurative drawings. Jasleen Kaur uses instillation to explore traditions and myths reflecting on inherited histories through her everyday objects. Delaine Le Bas creates monumental immersive environments focusing on death, loss and renewal through the lens of the cultural history of the Roma people.
From the beautifully striking portraits to immersive fabric draped rooms with their own created atmosphere which will make your hair stand on end and your teeth tingle; as always, the Turner Prize show brings together four extraordinary artists with their own unique disciplines and voices into a singular stunning, thought provoking exhibition. Keep an eye out for the winner announced on the 5th of December.
Hit the link below to find out more:
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10 October - 19 January
FRANCIS BACON: HUMAN PRESENCE - NPG, LONDON
This is perhaps the heavyweight show of the autumn - barring perhaps Van Gogh at the National - talked about and reviewed by everyone. Actually everyone. So what can be said? If you are not a fan of Francis Bacon, move on, this is not for you. No matter how magnificent the show is, if you're not into his work, this display of excellence wont make you love him. However, if you want to explore Bacon's deep connection to portraiture, his groundbreaking challenges to traditional definitions, and witness greatness through the work of a national art icon; the NPG is the place for you. Perfectly titled, Human Presence seeks to showcase Bacon's life story through his self portraits and large scale memorial paintings, showing how he captured the presence and realism of his self and his sitters through his distorted and deformed lens. Beautifully described as a "truly biting show of portraits and meditations on portraiture" this show seems to be a fan and critic favourite already, and one not to be missed if you're around the Capital with a spare couple of hours to have your mind altered.
Find out more and grab your tickets on the link below:
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19 October - 9 March
CONVERSATIONS - WALKER ART GALLERY, LIVERPOOL
This exhibition brings together 40 leading black artists who are transforming the British art landscape. Including paintings, sculpture and video from the last ten years this exhibition asks poignant questions about the present and aims to provide a moment of joy around traditionally marginalised artists working in the UK right now. Including some well known names like Claudette Johnson, Lubaina Himid, Joy Labinjo and Michaela Yearwood-Dan and a brilliant introduction to some artists you may not have yet discovered, this show will encompass a wide tapestry of the women and non-binary artists creating works that speak of identity, family and snapshots of life.
Conversations reflects the best of contemporary art from Black British women and non-binary artists in conversation with each other; encouraging the audience to ask broad questions about our past and present as well as reflect on intimate moments of life.
Along with the importance of this show and the deeply relevant and weighty subject matters touched upon - less importantly perhaps but nonetheless exciting - is just how beautiful it will be. This is far from a show of all substance no style. With work on display to truly delight your senses and unleash your imagination, the conversations in the space will be a heady mix poignancy, importance and utter delight in art.
Find out more and check out all the amazing artists being featured:
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22 October - 16 February
PORTIA ZVAVAHERA: ZVAKAZARURWA - KETTLE'S YARD, CAMBRIDGE
With her first solo exhibition in a public gallery in Europe, Portia Zvavahera brings her remarkable dream-filled mixed media paintings to Kettle's Yard in Cambridge. Though not new to the UK - she has been exhibiting with David Zwirner both here and the US since 2020, as well as showing in her native Zimbabwe, and across Europe - she is perhaps not yet a well known figure, but I hope that will change as we are introduced to her fascinating body of work. Drawing on southern African culture, Christian iconography, traditional European painting and African printmaking Zvavahera interprets and records her own life and her dreams into semi-autobiographical works. Instilled in spiritual tradition, her large layered textural pieces meld influences and techniques into her specific visual language that tells the stories of her dreams, both mystifying and deeply, humanly relatable. Her works are so unique and filled with her voice and narrative, this show promises both a delight on the senses and a visual study in the layering of techniques from batik to oil stick to printing.
This exhibition travels on to Edinburgh in 2025, so for anyone further up north, there's a chance to catch it there next year.
To get more information or to view some more of Zvavahera's work, hit the button below:
That's our top four picks for art exhibitions to see in December, we hope you get to some of them. We'd love to hear your thoughts, so drop us a message if you do see any of them, let us know what you think!
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