Places to explore: Ten must-see London exhibitions
By Jasmine Perkins
Throughout 2015, there will be plenty of exhibitions to explore in London. Whether it's conventional or controversial, here are ten must-see exhibitions to catch this year.
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1. Nick Waplington/ Alexander McQueen: Working Process
London is currently waiting in anticipation for V&A's exhibition of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, which will showcase all of McQueen's couture masterpieces. Before the opening of this spectacle, make sure you visit Tate Britain for a glimpse at the real world of Alexander McQueen. Rare images, taken by Nick Waplington, cleverly capture the true personality of the highly acclaimed designer.
Untitled from the series Alexander McQueen Working Process 2008-09
© All Rights Reserved Nick Waplington
March 10 – May 17 at Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
2. Psychoanalytic research in the 21st century: Where we are now
Six artists from the Slade school of fine art attempt to explore psychoanalysis through their works. The pieces highlight the relevance of psychoanalytic research to modern day society using topics such as tattoos, economy and technology to emphasis the importance of the studies being carried out by UCL's psychoanalytic unit.
Copyright: Goia Mujalli
March 11-April 12 at the Freud Museum, 20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX
3. Taxidermy is Dead (Long Live Taxidermy)
Taxidermy is a controversial art form and was at the height of its popularity during the Victorian era. Polly Morgan is currently at the forefront of this form, and her pieces have inspired many to take up this now underrated skill. The Horniman museum has chosen to showcase her intricate pieces of art. Viewers will marvel at the sheer beauty and elegance of the animals she brings back to life through her artwork.
For No Other Reason Polly Morgan's display Taxidermy Is Dead (Long Live Taxidermy)
Copyright Polly Morgan
March 12- June 7 at the Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ
4. FB55
FB55 is dedicated to Francis Bacon's 1955 Institute of Contemporary Arts' (ICA) exhibition which was the controversial artist's first ever exhibition. Until now, it has remained a mystery. The ICA will reveal all producing archive material of the FB55 exhibition. Francis Bacon is an Irish artist whose works are attributed to the growing interest in pop art in Britain and has since inspired other artists.
Two Figures in the Grass Copyright: The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved / DACS 2015
March 24 –May 17 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH
5. Sonia Delaunay
Co-founder of the Orphism art movement, Tate Modern will celebrate Delaunay's achievements by showcasing chronicles of artworks and clothing during her 60-year reign in abstract art. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours and bold shapes to truly understand the mind of Sonia Delaunay, a consequential figure to the Parisian avant-garde.
Sonia Delaunay, Yellow Nude 1908, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes, Nantes
Copyright Pracusa 2014083
April 15—August 9 at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
6. Carsten Höller
Get lost in Höller's artwork, intended to challenge us both psychologically and perceptually. The Hayward gallery will take us on a journey through a variety of works that have been produced in his 20-year career.
Carsten Höller & Yves Gaumetou Snake, 2013 Bi-Resin, glass eyes 174 x 18 x 60 cm Courtesy the artist and Air de Paris, Paris Photo by Marc Domage MED
June 10– September 6 at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
7. Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon
Come and explore the life of one of the most iconic woman in the world of fashion and the arts. Through photographs taken by great artists such as Cecil Beaton and Irving Penn, viewers can take a step into her world and capture a glimpse of who she really was.
Audrey Hepburn [Uppa.co.uk]
July 2— October 18 at the National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE
8. Joseph Cornell: Wanderlust
Prepare to be spellbound upon taking a glimpse into Cornell's exhibition. His talent of using everyday items and turning them into beautiful works of art is truly fascinating. Although he never ventured out of New York, Wanderlust explores Joseph Cornell's imaginative mind and his love of European culture and different societies.
Joseph Cornell: Object (Soap Bubble Set), 1941
WASHINGTON D.C., PRIVATE COLLECTION
The Robert Lehrman Art Trust, Courtesy of Aimee and Robert Lehrman
© The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation/VAGA, NY/DACS, London 2014
Photo: Quicksilver Photographers, LLC
July 4 — September 27 at the Royal Academy of the Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
9. The World Goes Pop
Tate Modern will be hosting a gallery that will present a variety of artists from around the globe. From Latin America to Asia, they will be unveiling their own unique and cultural perceptions of the Anglo-American Pop Art movement.
Ushio Shinohara: Doll Festival 1966
© Ushio Shinohara – Photo courtesy of Tokyo Gallery+BTAP
September 17 —January 24 2016 at the Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
10. Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei is one of the most prominent activists and artists of the 21st Century. His work delves deep into both Western and Chinese culture with an underlying political aspect that questions creative freedom.
He became an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 2011, and this will be a major exhibition featuring both new work and some of his most notable pieces.
Portrait of Ai Weiwei Photo © Gao Yuan
September 19 — December 13 2015 at the Royal Academy of the Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
Featured Image: Carsten Höller Lichtraum (Light Room), 2008 – Photographer Attilio Maranzano
Ai Weiwei alexander mcqueen Audrey Hepburn avante-garde Carsten Höller Cecil Beaton FB55 Francis Bacon Freud Museum Hayward Gallery Horniman Museum Institute of Contemporary Arts Irving Penn Joseph Cornell National Portrait Gallery Nick Waplington Orphism Polly Morgan pop art Psychoanalytic research Royal academy of the Arts Slade school of fine art Sonia Delaunay tate britain Tate Modern Taxidermy UCL
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