Urban Caprice

MUST SEE: V&A (Room 74), Barbara Nessim: An Artful Life

Try not to be too disappointed that you still can’t get tickets to David Bowie. If you haven’t had a chance to pop over to the V&A recently then you’ll soon discover that there is more than one reason to go! 

An intimate exhibition of Barbara Nessim’s fashion illustrations, collages and paintings fill the space of Room 74 at the V&A, including a rather apt portrait of Bowie himself. The godmother of fashion illustration, Nessim’s work is striking and timeless - a definite must see! 

Barbara Nessim: An Artful Life, V&A (Room 74), 15th February - 19th May 2013 (Free Admission)

Urban Caprice at Roland Mouret - Stuffed courgette flower and Heritage tomato salad & Violet chocolate delice with gingerbread ice cream

LET THERE BE LIGHT…

Must See: The Hayward Gallery, The Light Show

You’ve heard the hype and seen magazines and newspapers flooded with images of this years most anticipated exhibition…battling the crowds we made it through to The Light Show. Finally the UC team were able to grab themselves some tickets (this show has literally been sold out since it’s opening back in January) and head down to the south bank for some much needed light. 

Each room encapsulated us with dizzying colours, textures and experiences…so if your thinking this show is only about light bulbs and fluorescent tubes think again (don’t get me wrong, we love a good neon tube here at UC). The Light Show is all encompassing, light becomes three dimensional, creating rooms and allowing for deep voids - a world of illusion…we came out buzzing.

The Light Show, Hayward Gallery, 30th January - 6th May 2013

WILD AT HEART: UC having a go at flower arranging…not quite the standard of Wild at Heart but who doesn’t love a bouquet of flowers. Thank you Nikki Tibbles, Tamara and Ruth - UC HEART WILD AT HEART.

MUST SEE: White Cube, Bermondsey, Chuck Close: Prints, Process and Collaboration

It was in 1972 that Close made his first print, since then Close’s practise has explored virtually every process of print making, through the single subject matter of the portrait. Best known for his large scale paintings which are scarily life like, it was in fact his print work which often consumed most of the artist’s practise. Working from photographs, each work is developed through the process of layering with his chosen medium and method of application. 

Close works in collaboration with print makers and technicians to develop further in this field, experimenting and stretching the boundaries of print. 

Close is so overly committed to his process whether it be painting or print, overcoming problems and embracing mistakes that the processes can pose…Chuck Close: Prints, Process and Collaboration is a reason to drag yourself out in to the cold and hike on up to Bermondsey.

From Top:

Self portrait - Chuck Close (Tapestry)

Lou Reed - Chuck Close (Tapestry)

Other works  - Unknown (mixed media)

High-res MUST SEE: White Cube, Bermondsey - Gary Hume: Liberty Grip For this mammoth piece installed at The White Cube, Hume has used the arms of a mannequin as his subject. Grouping together three forms, they at one could resemble a malformed hand. Made from Bronze, this enlarged sculpture hints at the notion of a memorial sculpture, and as such it is strong in its positioning and yet there is a sense of playfulness here with Hume painting the stump a girlish pink.  White Cube, Bermondsey - Gary Hume: Liberty Grip, 6th March - 21st April 2013

MUST SEE: White Cube, Bermondsey - Gary Hume: Liberty Grip

For this mammoth piece installed at The White Cube, Hume has used the arms of a mannequin as his subject. Grouping together three forms, they at one could resemble a malformed hand. Made from Bronze, this enlarged sculpture hints at the notion of a memorial sculpture, and as such it is strong in its positioning and yet there is a sense of playfulness here with Hume painting the stump a girlish pink. 

White Cube, Bermondsey - Gary Hume: Liberty Grip, 6th March - 21st April 2013

MUST SEE: Saatchi Gallery - Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union and Breaking The Ice: Moscow Art 1960s-80s

Charles Saatchi’s most recent delving in international art sees a show which is as brutal (there are some images visitors may find disturbing) as it is compelling. The ground and first floors dedicate themselves to emerging and contemporary Russian artists, whilst the top floor sees an exploration of Russian artists from the 60s through to the 80s. This exhibition is powerful in its political standing and it is almost impossible to avoid referencing Russia’s history within each work.

Although almost 40 years sits between many of the works between floors, they seem to complement one another as though created by one generation of artists. The exhibition shouts loudly of how Russia once was and of how it still remains. All works completed on the lower levels are at least a decade or more post-Communism whilst the top floor is a display of what it was to be an artist in Communist Russia. I can only say thank you to Saatchi for bringing Russian art to the forefront of Britain…a rare and worthwhile occasion. 

Saatchi Gallery - Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union and Breaking The Ice: Moscow Art 1960s-80s, 21st November - 9th June 2013

From Top:

Not Sad Just Sighing -Dasha Shishkin

Survival Takes A Good Memory - Dasha Shishkin

Not Sad Just Sighing - Dasha Shishkin

What Does It Matter to Her… - Dasha Shishkin

The Last Supper - Oleg Tselkov

Smoker - Oleg Tselkov

Potrait and Flower - Oleg Tselkov

The Sign of the Train - Oskar Rabin

Trunk with Branches, Bowl, Pitcher and Paper Sheets - Dmitri Krasnopevtsev

Triptych (Vertical, Horizontal, Cross) - Oleg Vassiliev