Ben Uri: Out of Chaos, Somerset House, London
Ben Uri is the only specialist art museum in Europe addressing universal and ever-more central issues of identity and migration through the visual arts. This exhibition celebrates its 100 year anniversary. There is much to see, with highlights including work by David Bomberg, Jacob Epstein, Mark Gertler, Leon Kossoff and Frank Auerbach, alongside other international contemporaries.
Until 13 December 2015, www.BenUri100.org
It Was A Dark And Stormy Night, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester
Part of Castlefield Gallery’s Launch Pad series of exhibitions, this group show features six artists from across the UK, France and The Netherlands. Over the period of one month, the artists are forging a ‘story’ using the melodramatic style of fiction also known as purple prose. Featuring Graeme Durant, Jemma Egan, Florent Dubois, Lindsey Mendick, Suzanne Posthumus, and Josh Whitaker.
Until 6 September 2015, www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk
Beauty and Balance, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
This group show features paintings and sculptures by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Joan Miró and Christopher Wood. Due to Kettle’s Yard house and gallery currently being closed for a major building project, this display recreates key arrangements from the former home of Jim Ede, the founder of Kettle’s Yard who was a firm believer in showing art in unusual settings.
Until 30 April 2016, www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk
Whose Gaze Is It Anyway?, Phoenix, Leicester
Exhibition exploring the history of Arab pop culture through printed matter – posters, notebooks, diaries and book covers – as well as film and video. The roots of the show are the archive of Abboudi Bou Jaoudeh, a prolific collector whose underground treasure trove in Beirut holds one of the largest collections of Arab film memorabilia. As well as selections from the archive, the show features newly commissioned work by Sophia Al-Maria and video by Raed Yassin and Maha Maamoun.
Until 24 September 2015, www.phoenix.org.uk
Reality, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
The Walker Art Gallery’s summer exhibition brings together a long list of painters whose work is linked by strong references to the real world – including relationships, history, politics, war, the urban environment and social issues. Featured artists include Lucian Freud, LS Lowry, John Keane, Ken Currie, Paula Rego and George Shaw.
Until 29 November 2015, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
More on a-n.co.uk:
Ben Uri Gallery: “It’s about an artistic context not religious or ethnic” – Dany Louise reports on the history and ambitions of the London gallery in the lead up to its centenary celebrations
