Our top picks of exhibitions together with cultural spaces and places, both online and in the real world.

All, Art, Auctions, Exhibitions, Travel & Hospitality, Initiatives

Viewing Me, My Brain and I

The Wick Culture - Tracey Emin, You fuck my brains out every time, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above Tracey Emin, You fuck my brains out every time, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

The Wick Culture - David Bailey, Untitled, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above David Bailey, Untitled, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

The Wick Culture - LUAP, Mind and Body, 2022

Above LUAP, Mind and Body, 2022

The Wick Culture - Schoony, Brain Glitch, 2021. 3D printed light sensitive resin brain mounted on wood with acrylic rod, 40.5 x 33 x 21.5 cm

Above Schoony, Brain Glitch, 2021. 3D printed light sensitive resin brain mounted on wood with acrylic rod, 40.5 x 33 x 21.5 cm

The Wick Culture - Alex Echo, Tremor, 2021. Enamel based paints on moulded resin and built-in motor, 13 x 26 x 28 cm

Above Alex Echo, Tremor, 2021. Enamel based paints on moulded resin and built-in motor, 13 x 26 x 28 cm

The Wick Culture - Gavin Turk, She sells sea shells on the sea shore, 2021. Found object and display case

Above Gavin Turk, She sells sea shells on the sea shore, 2021. Found object and display case

The Wick Culture - Rob & Nick Carter, Silver Lining, 2021. Silver paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above Rob & Nick Carter, Silver Lining, 2021. Silver paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

The Wick Culture - Dion Kitson, Football Brain, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 19 x 26 x 26 cm

Above Dion Kitson, Football Brain, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 19 x 26 x 26 cm

The Wick Culture - Hayden Kays, Brain Dead, 2021. Engraved brass plaque, cast resin brain encased in solid wood casket, 14.2 x 30.5 x 19.6 cm

Above Hayden Kays, Brain Dead, 2021. Engraved brass plaque, cast resin brain encased in solid wood casket, 14.2 x 30.5 x 19.6 cm

The Wick Culture - Conrad Shawcross, Tricameral, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 76 x 42 x 42 cm

Above Conrad Shawcross, Tricameral, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 76 x 42 x 42 cm

Above Tracey Emin, You fuck my brains out every time, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above David Bailey, Untitled, 2021. Acrylic paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above LUAP, Mind and Body, 2022

Above Schoony, Brain Glitch, 2021. 3D printed light sensitive resin brain mounted on wood with acrylic rod, 40.5 x 33 x 21.5 cm

Above Alex Echo, Tremor, 2021. Enamel based paints on moulded resin and built-in motor, 13 x 26 x 28 cm

Above Gavin Turk, She sells sea shells on the sea shore, 2021. Found object and display case

Above Rob & Nick Carter, Silver Lining, 2021. Silver paint on cast resin brain, 9.5 x 17 x 14 cm

Above Dion Kitson, Football Brain, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 19 x 26 x 26 cm

Above Hayden Kays, Brain Dead, 2021. Engraved brass plaque, cast resin brain encased in solid wood casket, 14.2 x 30.5 x 19.6 cm

Above Conrad Shawcross, Tricameral, 2021. Mixed media and cast resin brain, 76 x 42 x 42 cm

Me, My Brain and I
Christie’s, London

14 December 2022
events.parkinsons.org.uk

On 14 December a series of brain sculptures by world-renowned international artists including David Bailey, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk will be auctioned at Christie’s in London in aid of Parkinson’s UK. The auction will also be livestreamed via The Auction Collective, where the viewing room is now live.

The participating artists were asked what their brain means to them, and to create a new work inspired by their response. The resulting sculptures are as fascinating as the brain itself, ranging from D*Face’s melting brain to Hayden Kays’ solid wood casket titled Brain Dead. Especially poignant is the multi-coloured brain sculpture by Alex Echo, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2020.

‘I hope my brain sculpture, Tremor, will create a visual representation of what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s,’ Echo said. ‘It’s been difficult, but when I’m doing art, time disappears. Parkinson’s disappears. Worries disappear. Art saves my life every day and has for 42 years.’ It’s time to raise those paddles!

Viewing M (Michael Chow): Bridges

The Wick Culture - Installation View, Bridges 2022, Michael Chow, Waddington Custot, courtesy of the gallery.

Above Installation View, Bridges 2022, Michael Chow, Waddington Custot, courtesy of the gallery.

The Wick Culture - Hurricane, 2022 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

Above Hurricane, 2022 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

The Wick Culture - M (Michael Chow) - photo by Fredrik Nilsen Studio

Above M (Michael Chow) – photo by Fredrik Nilsen Studio

The Wick Culture - Pink Drop, 2016–2019 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

Above Pink Drop, 2016–2019 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

Above Installation View, Bridges 2022, Michael Chow, Waddington Custot, courtesy of the gallery.

Above Hurricane, 2022 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

Above M (Michael Chow) – photo by Fredrik Nilsen Studio

Above Pink Drop, 2016–2019 (detail). Courtesy of the artist and Waddington Custot

M (Michael Chow): Bridges
Waddington Custot, London

18 November 2022 – 14 January 2023
www.waddingtoncustot.com

Get yourself to Mayfair for a look at Michael Chow’s brilliant new show at Waddington Custot, his first UK solo exhibition in nearly 60 years. It includes six large-scale paintings and a selection of zingy works on paper from his ‘One Breath’ series.

What strikes is the sculptural, textural element of Chow’s paintings. In energetic gestures, Chow adds layer upon layer of paint and other found materials — including leaves, eggs, silver and painted plastic sheets — to the surface of the canvas. ‘In collaging, you can put things together that shouldn’t be together, and that’s my life,’ said Chow.
Chow, also known by his signature name M, worked as an artist between 1956 and 1968 before taking the helm of a group of celebrated restaurants in London and the USA. His professional return to painting came in 2011, when Jeffrey Deitch, then Director of MOCA in Los Angeles, discovered his work and encouraged him to pursue it as an artist once more. The drama, vibrancy and energy of these canvases make us grateful that he did.

Viewing Skate at Somerset House

The Wick Culture - Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022 Artwork (Square)

Above Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022 Artwork (Square)

The Wick Culture - 6. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above 6. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

The Wick Culture - 1. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above 1. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

The Wick Culture - 4. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above 4. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022 Artwork (Square)

Above 6. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above 1. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Above 4. Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon 2022. Image by Owen Harvey

Skate at Somerset House
Somerset House, London

16 November 2022 — 15 January 2023
www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house

Get ready to don your blades and twizzle and turn at Somerset House Skate, London’s favourite festive destination. Transforming the spectacular courtyard into a dazzling winter wonderland, Skate features a bigger ice rink than ever before as well as a dazzling 40ft Christmas tree and a chill out space, serving winter warmers, bubbles and chocolaty treats.

For those looking for hearty feasting, book into Chalet Suisse, a cosy Alpine-inspired dining experience by Jimmy Garcia. Expect winter classics like cheese fondue, roasted pork belly and a Swiss take on macaroni cheese. As for cocktails, opt for the Moët & Chandon French 125 or a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.

There are also plenty of festive experiences to enjoy, from a new series of rink-side deck takeovers at Skate Lates to the Chilled Out skate sessions which run at a reduced capacity — ideal for first-time skaters or those looking to brush up their skills with an instructor. There will also be special Kids Club sessions and those dedicated to wheelchair users.

While you’re at Somerset House, be sure to whizz round the Horror Show, a major exhibition examining how ideas rooted in horror have informed the last 50 years of creative rebellion in Britain. Enjoy!