Ai Weiwei, Royal Academy of Arts, London
With a lead up that has been full of its own drama and intrigue, this genuinely major exhibition by renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei is clearly the UK’s blockbuster autumn show. Broadsheet reviews have been ecstatic (‘a great and moving show’ wrote Adrian Searle in The Guardian), and rightly so.
Despite spending 81 days in the custody of the Chinese security services and having his passport confiscated for over four years, Ai continues to make engaging work that cleverly and powerfully questions the actions of his government, while also addressing broader, global issues.
This is a sprawling and packed show that fills the RA’s main galleries and includes Ai’s crowdfunded Tree sculptures outside in the Academy’s courtyard. Great art by an internationally important artist.
Until 13 December 2015, www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/ai-weiwei
Shona Illingworth, FACT, Liverpool
This exhibition explores how our individual and collective memories influence our understanding of society. Scottish artist Shona Illingworth presents a new multi-screen installation that draws parallels between the effects of amnesia and the sudden evacuation of the inhabitants of St Kilda in the North Atlantic in 1930.
Until 22 November 2015, www.fact.co.uk
Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, HOME, Manchester
Exploring the history of online spam and scamming through film, sculpture, photography and installation, for this show Beirut-based artists Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige have created an immersive world that seeks to challenge how ideology is constructed.
Until 1 November 2015, www.homemcr.org
Flora, Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
Touring group show that reimagines flowers as a contemporary motif that can be used to make visible cultural, historical, geographic, social and scientific ideas. Featuring: Emma Bennett, Michael Boffey, Ori Gersht, Owen Griffiths, Jacques Nimki, Yoshihiro Suda and Clare Twomey.
Until 31 October 2015, www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk
Alice Browne, Outpost, Norwich
Last chance to catch Alice Browne‘s superb show at Outpost. Her minimalist paintings often feature abstract forms mixed with geometric shapes and architectural columns. Switching between considered and impulsive marks, the results are spellbinding.
Until 27 September 2015, www.norwichoutpost.org
