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


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Viewing Two Worlds Entwined: Annie Morris and Idris Khan

‘Two Worlds Entwined: Annie Morris and Idris Khan’ will explore the artistic practices of British contemporary artist couple Morris and Khan within the historic and intimate setting of Newlands House gallery. Wander through floor boarded rooms of mustard honey hues throughout the iconic Georgian house to view over 60 works from the artists as they invite you into their creative realm – where their multi-disciplinary works sit side by side in stunning juxtaposition.

Presented in vibrant and playful hues, Annie Morris’ stack sculptures punctuate the space. The stacks of spheres are strong but also delicate and fragile: a duality seen frequently in Morris’ work referencing personal experiences around still birth and her journey of grief and latter creativity. Symbols and characters repeat across Morris’ body of work through her needlework and drawing, with her now known ‘Flower Woman’ a bulbous figure exploring mother and child appearing in drawings, tapestries and even armchairs.

Drawing also on personal experience, Idris Khan, draws inspiration from his own journey – investigating layered experience of memory and creativity as well as the history of art and music. His work draws reference upon philosophical and theological texts, including explorations around religion. Khan captured the attention of the wider art world with Every…page of the Holy Qur’an. In this work, photographs of each page of the holy book are layered to create an illegible pattern. It speaks of an ambivalence toward his birth religion, an anxiety about his past but still a need to connect with it.

Curated by Maya Binkin, she says of Morris and Khan, “Their lives are entwined, yet their practices are separate. The dynamics of this relationship will be present in the exhibition… As in most relationships, there is love and conflict cemented together.”

Playful and contemplative, this is a must see. Well worth the train ticket.

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Dates
11 February 2023 — 07 May 2023

Viewing BIG WOMEN

Firstsite Colchester lands with a blockbuster – BIG WOMEN curated by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Sarah Lucas (YBA) – and we can guarantee it’s going to be BIG.

Under Lucas’ curatorial eye, the Colchester gallery led by Sally Shaw MBE will showcase work by leading female artists across sculpture, painting, film and fashion: Renata Adela, Erica Åkerlund, Fiona Banner aka The Vanity Press, Kate Boxer, Yoko Brown, Angela Bulloch, Phillippa Clayden, Sonia Coode-Adams, Vanessa Fristedt, Maggi Hambling, Pam Hogg, Rachel Howard, Merilyn Humphreys, Patricia Jordan, Princess Julia, Abigail Lane, Tory Lawrence, Millie Laws, Polly Morgan, Clare Palmier, Georgina Starr, Milly Thompson, Gillian Wearing, Sue Webster, and Lucas herself.

The exhibition promises a wealth of diverse artworks to enjoy – from women who all celebrate the freedom of expression in their work. The seed BIG WOMEN was planted when Lucas took a trip to Venice with her friend, fellow artist Kate Boxer, in 2017. As Sarah explains: “I can’t put an exact age on when we stop being ‘Miss or ‘Señorita’ and start being ‘Madam’, or ‘Señora’, but by the time you’re in your mid-fifties you’ve definitely arrived.”

People of a certain vintage may recognise the show’s title, as it is inspired by a popular TV drama made in the 1990’s. Big Women followed the progress of a group of feminists during the 1970’s, after they established a book publishing company. The television show was itself based on Fay Weldon’s novel, Praxis.

A celebration of fierce feminism, expertise and achievements in the creative industries, Lucas explores the greatness of older women in an ageist society. The exhibition takes viewers on a feast for the eyes and down multiple human experiences – strength, imagination, motherhood and menopause.

The Wick prescription for anyone worried about ageing. You’ll be wishing for the years to pass.

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Dates
11 February 2023 — 18 June 2023

Viewing Peter Doig 

Modern master, Edinburgh born Peter Doig returns with a major exhibition of new and recent works, now open at The Courtauld Gallery.

Featuring 12 paintings and 19 works on paper, this rich and complex exhibition includes a group of major canvases created since the artist’s move from Trinidad to London in 2021, presenting an exciting new chapter in the career of one of the most celebrated and important painters working today.

In 2021 Doig moved back to London where he has set up a new studio. This new studio has become the crucible for developing paintings started in Trinidad and New York and elsewhere, which were worked up alongside completely fresh paintings, including a new London subject. The works produced for the exhibition at The Courtauld convey this particularly creative experience of transition, as Doig explores a rich variety of places, people, memories and ways of painting that have accompanied him to his new London studio.

Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading artists Doig’s Monumental canvases injected with lozenges of colour adorn the walls of the institution; juxtaposed with buttery European scenes, Trinidadian domesticity and harlequin skiers.

At the same time, the Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Drawings Gallery showcases the artist’s work as a printmaker with a display that unveils for the first time a series of prints Doig made in response to the poetry of his friend and collaborator, the late Derek Walcott. Delightful Doig. A must visit for anyone in London.

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Dates
10 February 2023 — 29 May 2023
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