Painting Pop, Abbot Hall, Kendal
Abbot Hall Art Gallery’s summer exhibition celebrates British Pop Art from the early 1960s, including work by Sir Peter Blake, Pauline Boty, Patrick Caulfield, Richard Hamilton, David Hockney and Allen Jones. It focuses on the period around 1962, a pivotal year for Pop Art in Britain, when the country’s teenagers and young people in particular experienced a burgeoning freedom of expression following the austerity of the immediate period after WWII.
Until 7 October www.abbothall.org.uk
The Encounter: Drawings from Leonardo to Rembrandt, National Portrait Gallery, London
This bumper exhibition features portrait drawings by some of the outstanding masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It includes observational works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Holbein, and Rembrandt, drawn from the holdings of British collections. Essential viewing.
Until 22 October www.npg.org.uk
Mat Collishaw: Thresholds, Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham
Using the latest in VR technology, this innovative show by Mat Collishaw will restage one of the earliest exhibitions of photography from 1839, when British scientist William Henry Fox Talbot first presented his photographic prints to the public at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. Unfortunately, Fox Talbot’s original images have faded almost beyond recognition with several of the surviving photographs existing only in light-proof vaults. However, Collishaw’s exhibition provides a way to view images that have since been lost.
Until 6 August www.birminghammuseums.org.uk
Abstract Remix, New Art Projects, London
This group show explores contemporary notions of abstraction and the various approaches artists are using. Highlights include Jonathan Parsons’ work examining colour theory, whilst Markus Linnenbrink explores process painting. Other artists exhibiting include: Adrian Esparza, Joachim Grommek, Jan van der Ploeg, Markus Weggenmann and Beat Zoderer.
Until 26 August www.newartprojects.com
Susan Aldworth, York St Mary’s, York
This immersive installation features 414 embroidered pillowcases suspended across the nave of York St Mary’s, representing more than 40,000 hours of hand-stitching. Artist Susan Aldworth appealed to members of the public, prisoners, local and national craft groups and students of all ages to locate the embroiderers for the exhibition, with the results offering a unique testimony of sleep.
Until 3 September www.yorkstmarys.org.uk/exhibition
Images:
1. Pauline Boty, Colour Her Gone, oil on canvas, 1962. Courtesy: Wolverhampton Arts and Museums; © the artist’s estate
2. Leonardo da Vinci, Study of a Male Nude, c1504-6. Courtesy: Royal Collection Trust; © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017
3. Jonathan Parsons, Chromaticity 1, 2016
4. Susan Aldworth, Golden Slumbers, monoprint using a vintage pillowcase inked up in gold.
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