Delicate touch

Susie Cowie's embroidery is divine...

Paint

Paint is an exhibition at Rollo Contemporary showcasing the work of 4 painters who have graduated from UK art schools in the last 3 years. In particular, I enjoyed Matthew Atkinson's work (above) for its fantasy appeal, fascinating techniques and ambitious compositions. And Rhea O'Neill's shimmering landscapes (below) for their gentle power and artistic freedom.

In love with Lisson Gallery

I am totally in love with Lisson Gallery.  I've yet to visit but their exhibitions are imbued with a sense of mischievousness which never fails to tickle or delight me. Plus, they're completely on the money in terms of how they communicate. I'm itching to see this Ryan Gander exhibition. See you there.

Bill Montana - River Sounding

Woven into the fabric of Somerset's House's sunken walkways lie Montana's hypnotic sound and video installations. Away from the grandeur of the open courtyard, the working nooks and crannies of this immense building wait patiently. And it is here, tucked away from the open thoroughfare, that you can enjoy snippets of the soundtrack of our glorious River Thames.  It is a rare treat to be transported to peace & solitude, to a bygone era, to really revel in the simple, haunting sounds of our most-famed waterway. Very special.

Michael Nyman's Cine Opera - digital analogue

Wow, doesn't time fly...a few weeks back now I went to the AMAZING Vinyl Factory (below the much-loved record store on Poland Street, it's a labyrinth!) to celebrate Nyman's launch of a new art and vinyl edition of his Cine Opera album. 

Nyman is one of our greatest living composers and is arguably best known for his Oscar-winning score for The Piano. The beautifully shot film makes for quite uncomfortable viewing but yes, the music is incredible.

Anyway, back to event. The point is that Nyman has taken his 1989 Cine Opera and re-imagined it for the 21st century. Firmly positioning himself at the same time as filmmaker, photographer and artist, as well as composer. Neat huh? 

I like the digital analogue approach, i.e. the album has been modernised, Nyman's reinventing himself but the format is intentionally old school and handcrafted.  After all this is the FIRST time the album has been pressed on vinyl and the run has been limited to an exclusive 500. Nyman's also showing a specially commissioned film at Tate Modern.

Yes-No

Eberhard Havekost, White Cube

The German artist Eberhard currently has his third exhibition at White Cube. In particular, I enjoyed the hanging of the multi-canvas painting below called Flatscreen. The artist is interested in our perpetual state of visual tuning - assessing, reassessing, the effect of the colour and texture....an ongoing process of looking and interpreting.

The main body of work is a monumental 9-canvas series of a single tree. Havekost photographed the tree at night, illuminating it in a quick flash before changing perspective. The photographs where used as reference for this haunting series.

I also liked H20. Again the artist is playing with the idea of filters, this time it is the murky, eery green water that creates a peculiar freedom and beauty.