Martin Boyce: Do Words Have Voices, Tate Britain, London
Glasgow-based artist Martin Boyce’s installations explore modern urban landscapes, particularly with reference to 20th century modernist design, and its connections to utopian notions of living. This exhibition by the 2011 Turner Prize winner features work originally conceived for the Turner Prize show at Baltic, Gateshead. It includes six pieces, including three ‘trees’ with a canopy of metal leaves and a table based on a library desk by modernist designer Jean Prouvé.
Until 30 September 2017 (closed 24-26 December). www.tate.org.uk
Wynford Dewhurst, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester
This retrospective features the work of the largely unknown English impressionist painter Wynford Dewhurst (1864-1941). The show is titled ‘Manchester’s Monet’ and it is easy to spot the influence of the French impressionist. Dewhurst studied in France and painted the countryside around Dieppe and the Seine valley, the works heavily influenced by Monet (he even named his youngest son Claude). This show brings together a large selection of Dewhurst’s paintings with archival photographs and documents.
Until 23 April 2017 (closed 24, 25, 26, 31 December & 1 January). www.manchesterartgallery.org
Gavin Turk, Newport Street Gallery, London
Former YBA Gavin Turk is known for appropriating both familiar everyday objects and recognisable artworks by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Giorgio de Chirico. This show surveys 26 years of his career, featuring over 70 artworks. It includes his iconic Cave, a commemorative blue plaque installation Turk exhibited in his 1991 Royal College of Art degree show.
Until 19 March 2017 (closed 24-26 December & 31 December – 2 January). www.newportstreetgallery.com
Kate Walters, Newlyn Art Gallery, Penzance
Combining text and collage works, this show by Newlyn-based artist Kate Walters features mixed-media works made in the Western Isles, Orkney and during a recent residency on Iona. The results are a subtle exploration of the feminine and the natural world.
Until 7 January (closed 24-27 December & 1-2 January). www.newlynartgallery.co.uk
Amanda Beech, Baltic, Gateshead
This five channel video installation from Los Angeles-based artist and writer Amanda Beech is a mix of analogue-style pop and video game aesthetics, featuring five characters who form a ‘workerist crew’. Also on show are a series of copper plates that act as a preface and epilogue to the video work. The show has been initiated and developed by the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland.
Until 29 January 2017 (closed 24-25 December & 1 January). www.balticmill.com
What a Loving, and Beautiful World / Will Hurt: Configurations, QUAD, Derby
Two digital exhibitions head to Derby QUAD. It includes the first UK exhibition of What a Loving, and Beautiful World – a 3-screen interactive, computer generated immersive installation by the digital art collective teamLab, from Japan. Also on show is Will Hurt’s Configurations, a new site-specific work in which software reconfigures digital models of the physical space the work is shown in.
Until 5 February (closed 25 December & 1 January) www.derbyquad.co.uk
James Webb, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
South African artist James Webb is considered to be a one of the pioneers of sound art. This show at YSP’s Chapel features four sound pieces, including a powerful wall of loudspeakers broadcasting the rhythmic sound of hands beating on doors, plus a pair of speakers separated by the length of a room, playing the sound of heartbeats.
Until 26 February 2017 (closed 24-25 December). www.ysp.co.uk
Artes Mundi 7, National Museum Cardiff and Chapter, Cardiff
There’s still time to get along to the Artes Mundi 7 exhibition before the winner of the £40,000 international art prize is announced on 26 January. Featuring work by six artists – John Akomfrah, Neil Beloufa, Amy Franceschini/Futurfarmers, Lamia Joreige, Nástio Mosquito (Angola), and Wales’ own Bedwyr Williams – this is an impressive presentation of work exploring contemporary social issues through film, sculpture and more.
Until 26 February 2017 (National Museum closed 24-26 December & 1-2 January; Chapter closed 25, 26, 31 December & 1 January). www.artesmundi.org
Yves Klein, Tate, Liverpool
French artist Yves Klein was a pioneer of performance art and a heavy influence on pop art and minimalism. This show presents 40 works of art including some never before seen in the UK. Also on show are his anthropometry paintings, fire Paintings – created using flame throwers – plus sculptures, planetary-reliefs, photographs and pure-colour monochrome paintings.
Until 5 March 2017 (closed 24-26 December). www.tate.org.uk
Images:
1. Martin Boyce, ‘Do Words Have Voices’, installation view, BP Spotlight displays, Tate Britain, November 2016. Photo: Copyright Tate Photography
2. Gavin Turk, Tip, 2004. Copyright: Gavin Turk Live Stock Market. Photo: Prudence Cuming Assoc
3. James Webb, Untitled (with the sound of its own making), 2016. Courtesy the artist, blank projects, Galerie Imane Farés and YSP. Photo © Jonty Wilde
4. Yves Klein, The Dream of Fire c.1961, Harry Shunk and Shunk-Kender photographs
More on a-n.co.uk:
Best exhibitions of 2016: a-n writers pick their top five shows
2016 in view: Director Jeanie Scott reflects on a busy and challenging year
a-n bursaries 2017: open for applications from artists
