Tag Archives: London

London: Miro’s Studio @ Mayoral

February 5, 2016 butterfly

“My dream, when I can settle down somewhere, is to have a large workshop” –Joan Miró, 1938

60 years since Joan Miró’s studio was founded in Mallorca in 1956, the workshop has been reconstructed in London as an intensely immersive piece: an incredibly detailed work that mirrors the poetic environment of this leading avant-garde artist’s atelier. Featuring 25 of Miró’s paintings and drawings as well as copied everyday ephemera objects; the space has been rearranged as both installation and exhibition.

This studio was the first long-term residence for Miró , having lived in locations across Europe throughout his life and often travelling between two homes in Paris and Spain for example. Once established in Mallorca in 1956, the artist remained here, working here relentlessly until his death in 1983.

Miro's Studio - Galeria Mayoral

Initially designed by the artist’s friend and renowned Catalan architect, Josep Lluís Sert worked on it from New York by sending Miró a series of letters which are also included within the show; giving some insights into the development of the studio, but also into the great artist’s preferences, relationships and voice.

Miro's Studio - Galeria Mayoral

View the full set of pics here

Miró’s Studio
Until 12 February
Mayoral Galeria d’Art
6 Duke Street
London SW1Y 6BN.

London, Shows

London: Jef Aerosol & Lee Jeffries – Synergy

January 29, 2016 butterfly

‘Synergy’ is an artistic and social encounter between French street artist Jef Aérosol and British photographer Lee Jeffries.

Stemming from the original ‘Synergy’ exhibition that took place in Paris at Mathgoth gallery in March 2015, this collaboration casts a new light on a sensitive topic: the homeless.

The models in Lee Jeffries’photographs are homeless people that he has met in Europe and in the United States: «Situations arose, and I made an effort to learn to get to know each of the subjects before asking their permission to do their portrait.» From then onwards, his photographs portray his convictions and his compassion to the world.

The artistic chemistry was sparked when Jef Aerosol and Lee Jeffries first met in London, early 2014. They both felt the urge to explore and share with the public their vision of this universal issue. Together, they explore faces and confront techniques to give another life to the forgotten of the streets.

10% of the sales will be donated to the Connection, a homelessness charity in Central London.

View the full set of pics here

Jef Aerosol & Lee Jeffries
Synergy
Until 25 February 2016
French Art Studio
58 Gloucester Rd, London SW7

London, Street, streets

London: Lumiere Festival

January 19, 2016 butterfly

During four evenings from the 14th-17th of January, visitors could experience installations from the world’s most exciting artists working with light at across 30 locations in the UK capital for the Lumiere London Festival.

Architectural landmarks are being coloured with 3D projections like Westminster Abbey by Patrice Warrener, the Kings Cross Granada Building by Ocudo, or Piccadilly by NOVAK.

While Center Points lights have been temporarily moved to the National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square fountains are transformed into Plastic Islands’ by activist group Luzinterruptus .

Lumiere London - Centre Point Lights

In shop windows, shimmering dresses by Tae gon KIM change colours with their fibre-optic LEDs, giving them a Cinderella-esque touch.

Within the famous pedestrian Carnaby Street, passers-by can enjoy the newly permanent installation Shaida Walking by Julian Opie.

Drawing massive crowds, the iconic phone box is turned into an aquarium by Benedetto Bufalino and Benoit Deseille.

Gigantic fishes Lumineoles are flying above Piccadilly, while Travellers figures by Cedric Le Borgne adorn rooftops of nearby buildings. Neon birdhouses by Sarah Blood are nestled within Brown Hart Gardens.

Lumiere London - Lumineoles / Porte par le vent Lumiere London - Cedric Le Borgne

The French collective TILT (not the graffiti artist from Toulouse) have created a giant luminous tropical garden in the centre of Leicester Square.

Janet Echelman used the data of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami from 2011, to create a 3D representation called 1.8 London.

Lumiere London - 1.8 / Studio Echelman

Further pictures from the Lumiere London Festival in Mayfair and King’s Cross below:

Lumiere London - Elephantastic / Catherine Garret             Lumiere London - LAB (AU)

   Lumiere London - Jacques Rival

Check the full programme here.

View the full set of pics here

London, Street, streets

London: Damien Hirst Christmas Tree

December 22, 2015 butterfly

Next to the Connaught Hotel in London Mayfair stands a 30 feet tall Christmas tree adorned with flying doves and unusual decorations: snowmen formed of giant pills, medical instruments, scissors, syringues, scalpels…

Damien Hirst - Christmas Tree 2015

This is the work of controversial artist Damien Hirst, who generated some complaints from local residents who found it inappropriate and culturally insensitive and dangerous as it is on a public highway next to a church and a homeless center.

Hirst said: “The Christmas tree is a celebration of togetherness, a joyful symbol of hope and love. For the decorations, I wanted to reference some of the amazing things that give us hope in the world today.”

View the full set of pics here

London, Shows

London: Anj Smith – Phosphor of the palms @ Hauser & Wirth

November 18, 2015 butterfly

Anj Smith - Hauser & Wirth

For her new solo show at Hauser & Wirth in London, contemporary artist Anj Smith has been working tirelessly for the past three years to produce a series of twenty one paintings. Inspired by a variety of sources, from psychological states, nature, fashion subcultures, the artworks are rich in detail, colour and texture.

During a conversation with Laurence Sillars, Chief Curator, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Anj Smith explains her thought process behind the work.

‘Phosphor on the Palms’ is characterised by its exploration of the liminal. The exhibition’s title alludes to the poem ‘Fabliau of Florida’ by Wallace Stevens (1879 – 1955), in which natural elements morph into new configurations. Smith writes: ‘Difficulties in identifying and separating out phenomena aren’t artificially simplified but embraced in all their complexities. Thresholds are hard to determine; clouds in the sky are indistinguishable from the scum washed up with the surf’. These paintings explore shifting boundaries and disintegration, encompassing death and desire, sexuality and language.

Her portrait, landscape and still life paintings merge together harmoniously. In a landscape painting, the sitter although not visible has left signs of presence through different objects.

Anj Smith explore identity, ambiguity and gender in her enigmatic androgynous portraits. Within these works, she acknowledges how clothing is used as a tool to project a certain identity. Intricate botanical and animal imagery also permeates the paintings, from gecko, pangolin to monkeys and rodents that morph into a headdress.

Anj Smith - Hauser & Wirth