Scoot over to Unit London to see the gallery’s first solo exhibition of work by Ugandan artist Stacey Gillian Abe. Abe’s new body of work includes vibrant paintings with delicately hand stitched pattens that explore themes of shared memory, time and emotion. In these works, she lays particular emphasis on the ways in which her memories and family traditions — including embroidery, a craft she is learning from her mother — have been passed down through her family lineage.
You’ll see paintings featuring black figures, floral motifs and shrubs, including the jute plant which here represents the Ayivu clan in Arua in the West Nile Region of the artist’s native Uganda. As captivating as her subjects though are her striking colours, notably her use of indigo.
For Abe, indigo allows the black body to been seen in a different light. ‘Indigo for a skin tone in my work signifies a tribe, a breed of black, a people that are not limited to social, economic, cultural, political or historical constraints.’ This gallery debut is most definitely one for your winter to-do list.
The time has come for the art glitterati to pack their bags and hotfoot it to Miami for Art Basel Miami Beach. The 20th anniversary edition of the leading contemporary art fair will be the largest to date, featuring 282 exhibitors from 38 countries, including a core contingent from the Americas.
In addition to the fair’s main sections — Galleries, Positions, Nova, Survey and Edition — is the Kabinett sector, which presents 29 specially curated installations within exhibitors’ booths. Beeline for The Modern Institute, which presents new works by Alberta Whittle, before exploring Stephen Friedman Gallery, whose booth features new works by Japanese artist Izumi Kato.
Also noteworthy is the Meridians section, curated for the third time by Magalí Arriola, which features 20 large-scale projects by emerging artists including Christopher Myers, Cauleen Smith and Zanele Muholi. Not to be missed is Birth (1984), a large-scale, hand-crocheted wall-hanging by pioneering feminist artist Judy Chicago.
Taking place alongside the fair is Conversations, featuring 35 speakers across 9 panels, including collectors Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, curator and co-director of the Serpentine Galleries Hans Ulrich Obrist and arts editor Tim Schneider.
While you’re in Miami, be sure to explore the packed programme of satellite and collateral events too. Highlights include Design Miami, Untitled Art Fair and the carousel of glitzy drink receptions, dinners and all-night beach parties. You can sleep when you’re back!