Bruce Nauman, Tate Modern, London
This exhibition is the latest in a series of annual free exhibitions in the dedicated Artist Rooms gallery in Tate Modern’s Blavatnik building. It features almost 30 works spanning Nauman’s career, including neons, video works, sculpture and works on paper. Highlights include a number of neon sculptures from the early 1970s and 1980s that combine word play and bold colour to give alternative meaning to everyday phrases and expressions.
Until July 2018. www.tate.org.uk
Sarah Ball, Anima-Mundi, St Ives
This show explores the subject of ‘physiognomy’ – the supposedly outdated 19th century practice of people having their character or moral compass decided by the geometries of their face. The method dictated that an individual’s appearance was connected to their ethics and character, with Cornwall-based artist Sarah Ball’s miniature and larger than life portrait oil paintings asking whether these judgements have ever gone away.
Until 2 September 2017. www.anima-mundi.co.uk
Douglas Gordon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
This specially commissioned installation, Black Burns, is a response to the full-length marble statue of the poet Robert Burns, which stands in The Great Hall of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Gordon’s work explores the ways in which memories and expectations can be thrown off-balance by subtle interventions in the way objects are presented and displayed.
Until 29 October 2017. www.nationalgalleries.org
Matisse in the Studio, Royal Academy, London
This unique exhibition presents a selection of objects that were once housed in Matisse’s studio. It reveals the numerous influences on his work, ranging from Buddhist statuary from Thailand to Bamana figures from Mali, plus furniture and textiles from north Africa. Also on show are the paintings, sculptures and drawings the collection inspired.
Until 12 November 2017. www.royalacademy.org.uk
Nina Royle, Newlyn Art Gallery, Penzance
Nina Royle’s new body of works on hand-shaped gesso panels explore landscape, weather, corporality and time. The paintings are part of an ongoing series of exhibitions at the Picture Room at Newlyn Art Gallery offering the opportunity to buy paintings, prints and drawings by some of the South West’s most recognised artists. All profits from sales directly help to support the gallery’s education and exhibition activities.
Until 19 August 2017. www.newlynartgallery.co.uk
Images:
1. Bruce Nauman, Violins Violence Silence, 1981-2. Artist Rooms, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Anthony d’Offay 2010. Copyright ARS, NY and DACS, London 2017
2. Sarah Ball, AC14. 90 x 90 cm, oil on canvas
3. Douglas Gordon, Black Burns (in progress), 2017. Life size replica based upon John Flaxmans Robert Burns sculpture at SNPG. Black Marquinia marble, Height 1.85m. Copyright: Studio lost but found / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2017. Photo: Studio lost but found / Francesco Paterlini; Courtesy: Studio lost but found, Berlin and Gagosian
4. Henri Matisse, Still Life with Shell, 1940, Gouache, coloured pencil, and charcoal on cut paper, and string, pinned to canvas, 83.5 x 115 cm. Private collection. Photo: © Private collection, © Succession H. Matisse/DACS 2017
5. Nina Royle, Cut To Find Front, oil on wood and gesso panel, 2017. Courtesy: Picture Room, Newlyn Art Gallery
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