NOW SHOWING #213: The week’s top exhibitions

Marianna Simnett, Matt’s Gallery, London
Worst Gift is a new film installation by Marianna Simnett comprising video, liquid, light and sound. Set in an alternate world in which a voice surgeon injects prepubescent boys with a substance to lower their voices, the film was shot in a Botox factory and theatrical surgery. It follows a female protagonist (played by the artist) as she ventures on a mission to obtain the substance refused to her by the surgeon.
Until 22 October 2017, www.mattsgallery.org

Emma Stibbon, Alan Cristea Gallery, London
This solo exhibition by Emma Stibbon features new drawings and a large woodcut made in response to her recent residency in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, home to the volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, some of the biggest and most active in the world. The works on show here were made from sketches and photographic records she made on location, showing volcanic features, eruptions and rivers of molten lava.
Until 30 September 2017, www.alancristea.com

Stuart Middleton, Tramway, Glasgow
Glasgow-based artist Stuart Middleton’s exhibition ‘Beat’ features sculpture and animation, and was originally commissioned by the ICA, London for a show earlier this year. Large sculptures, recycled and adapted for Tramway’s main gallery, reference both modern industrial agriculture and historical site-specific artworks. A stop-frame animation shows an undernourished dog prowling around in a white cell, suggesting parallels between vivisection laboratories, clinics and art galleries.
Until 23 October 2017, www.tramway.org

Joseph Buckley, The Tetley, Leeds
The Tetley’s most recent artist in residence, Joseph Buckley’s first solo exhibition in a public gallery is built around three large new sculptural commissions. The show takes as its starting point Buckley’s investigations into the space between ‘blackness and Britishness’, with three larger pieces set against a collection of smaller works. There’s a myriad of influences on show, from historical references to West African mask-making and medieval armour, through to British modernist sculpture and sci-fi.
Until 29 October 2017, www.thetetley.org

If We’re Going To Heal, Let It Be Glorious, The Royal Standard, Liverpool
This group show organised by Black Blossoms explores socio-political issues, feminism and self love from the perspective of black women artists, living in Britain in 2017. Stemming from an open call, featured artists include: Rene Matic, Heather Agyepong, Buki Thompson, Jade Foster, Paula Akpan, J C Cowans, Siana Bangura, Camille Mica Daniels, Helen Demlew, Lesley Asare plus many more. The exhibition tours to the Melanin Festival, Sheffield in October.
Until 30 September 2017, www.facebook.com/BlackBlossoms

Images:
1. Marianna Simnett, Worst Gift, 2017. Video still. Courtesy: the artist and Matt’s Gallery
2. Emma Stibbon, Collapsed Pavement, Kïlauea Iki Crater, 2017. Ink, carbon & volcanic ash on paper. Paper and image 153.0 x 222.0 cm. Courtesy: Alan Cristea Gallery
3. Stuart Middleton, ‘Beat’ at Tramway. Courtesy: Tramway
4. Joseph Buckley, Better Clone Sons, (detail), 2017. Courtesy: the artist
5. ‘If We’re Going To Heal, Let It Be Glorious’ exhibition flyer designed by Hilma Sassa. Image: J C Cowans, Self-affirmation, 2017, Common Thread series, watercolour. Courtesy: Black Blossoms

More on a-n.co.uk: