Nicola Ellis, Bloc Projects, Sheffield
Inspired by Sheffield’s historic steel industry, Manchester-based artist Nicola Ellis‘ new work also reflects on Bloc Projects’ previous use as a grinding shed by Granton Knives. Employing traditional metalworking techniques, Ellis has spent the last six months working with local historians and knife grinders to learn about the traditional methods and tools that still are used in the city today.
Until 12 September 2015, www.blocprojects.co.uk
Richard Forster, Whitworth, Manchester
The hyper-realistic drawings of Richard Forster explore time and its passing, often through sequences that act as a calendar of activity. This show, Modern, features work originally shown at Ingleby Gallery, Edinburgh and sees Forster creating work from photography and images found in magazines, books or on the internet.
Until 3 January 2016, www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Joseph Cornell, Royal Academy of Arts, London
The intriguing life of the self-taught New York artist and sculptor Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) is explored in this jam-packed show. He is best-known for his ‘shadow boxes’: modest, glass-fronted constructions that transport the viewer into imagined realms. Working from a basement in New York, he conjured up some of the most fantastical work of the mid 20th century.
Until 27 September 2015, www.royalacademy.org.uk
Reto Pulfer, Spike Island, Bristol
Self-taught Swiss artist Reto Pulfer creates immersive environments using painting, drawing, writing, music, found objects and everyday materials such as textiles, food or spices. This is his first solo exhibition in a British institution, and perhaps the simplest way to describe it is that it’s all about water. There’s a giant fishing net, silt sourced in the local river and watercolours representing territories surrounded by seas.
Until 20 September 2015, www.spikeisland.org.uk
Richard Slee, Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
Last chance to catch Richard Slee‘s unique ceramics at Oriel Myrddin Gallery. They bring together the domestic interior with a love for the ‘great indoors’, including fabricated references to the decorative, ornamental and symbolic, both from history and within contemporary culture.
Until 12 September 2015, www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk
