Cecily Brown's Nature-Tastic Exhibition Opens at Serpentine Gallery
This week in art, Cecily Brown unveils her new nature-tastic works at the Serpentine Gallery in London, showcasing kaleidoscopic and richly textured paintings that mark a significant moment in her career. As a Young British Artist (YBA) who never quite fit the cool mould, Brown's latest exhibition, Picture Making, features painterly experimentation that springs to life amidst the blooming blossoms around the Serpentine. The show runs until 6 September, offering a vibrant exploration of natural themes through abstract forms.
Other Notable Exhibitions Across London
In addition to Brown's display, several other exhibitions are captivating audiences:
- Phoebe Collings-James: A Rose, A Bridge, A House at Pitzhanger Manor, London, from 1 April to 14 June. This exhibition presents politically inclined ceramics, including armour and clay paintings, that riff on cuneiform writing and Ashanti folklore.
- Veronica Ryan: Multiple Conversations at Whitechapel Gallery, London, from 1 April to 14 June. A major celebration of the Turner prize-winning artist's career, featuring over 100 ultra-conceptual sculptures.
- Frank Bowling: Seeking the Sublime at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, until 17 January. This mini-retrospective traces the pioneering British-Guyanese painter's journey from early figurative works to influential abstraction.
- Portals to Place: Three Papunya Tula Artists at Edel Assanti, London, until 16 May. Featuring Lorna Ward Napanangka, Yukultji Napangati, and John West Tjupurrula, this show uses dizzying abstraction as a vehicle for ancient Indigenous Australian knowledge.
Image of the Week: A Stark Contrast in War
The image of the week, captured by Peter van Agtmael, depicts an American soldier taking a break in a daffodil yellow living room during a night raid in Rawa, Iraq, 20 years ago. The photograph highlights the awkward contrast between hi-tech tactical gear and the kitsch interior of an everyday Iraqi home. The soldier's blank expression, whether from boredom or emotional numbness, underscores the often dull and pointless nature of war, as conflicts continue to tear the Middle East apart.
Key Art Insights and Discoveries
This week's art world also brought several notable developments:
- An epic retrospective of Henri Matisse explodes with stunning colour, showcasing his vibrant works.
- After an $82 million expansion, New York's New Museum is described as being on the threshold of a new age.
- Donald Trump installed a new statue of American hero Columbus in Washington DC.
- Hurvin Anderson's paintings explore his black heritage with startling intensity.
- Works by Michaelina Wautier, misattributed for 300 years, make an astounding show.
- Ministers are considering charging tourists to access UK national museum collections.
- Monet has taken to greasepaint and burst into song in a new musical about his life.
Masterpiece of the Week: Cézanne's Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Paul Cézanne's Montagne Sainte-Victoire with Large Pine, circa 1887, is highlighted as a masterpiece. After leaving Paris in the early 1880s, Cézanne dedicated himself to painting Mont Sainte-Victoire near Aix-en-Provence repeatedly. This obsession led to works that many interpret as explorations of light and mood, but some see as near-total abstraction, where form dissolves into shape and colour. The painting is on display at the Courtauld Gallery in London, offering a glimpse into Cézanne's conceptual devotion.
Jonathan Jones is away this week, but art enthusiasts can stay updated by signing up for the Art Weekly newsletter for regular roundups of art and design news.
