Anita Taylor, The Customs House Gallery, South Shields
The focus of Anita Taylor’s work is figurative paintings and drawings that explore identity, emotion and narratives. This show provides the opportunity to view the range of the artist’s drawing practice and includes work spanning the last two decades. A recurring theme is the use of herself as a model, with her monumental charcoal drawings particularly hard hitting. The works are not self-portraits in the traditional sense, but rather use the figure as a vehicle for evoking complex and universal feelings.
Until 12 November 2017, www.customshouse.co.uk
Dreamers Awake, White Cube Bermondsey, London
This group show explores the enduring influence of surrealism through the work of more than 50 women artists and includes sculpture, painting, collage, photography and drawing, ranging from the 1930s to the present day. Well-known surrealist figures as well as contemporary and emerging artists feature, including Louise Bourgeois, Rosemarie Trockel, Kiki Smith, Paloma Varga Weisz, Mona Hatoum, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas.
Until 17 September 2017, www.whitecube.com
Rashid Johnson, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton
This show is the culmination of artist Rashid Johnson’s two-month long residency at Hauser & Wirth Somerset. He uses a wide range of materials and images to explore themes of art history, literature, philosophy, and personal and cultural identity. The exhibition features a combination of painting, sculpture, installation, and drawing, all completed during his residency.
Until 10 September 2017, www.hauserwirthsomerset.com
Raqib Shaw, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
Calcutta-born, London-based artist Raqib Shaw’s new show combines paintings of fantastical worlds with historic textiles, furniture and drawings from the Whitworth collection. Wallpaper designed by Shaw, commissioned specially for the exhibition, creates a backdrop for his work. Drawing on the influences of renaissance and baroque imagery, and combined with theatrical extravagance, the results echo the mythic space of Shaw’s paintings.
Until 19 November 2017, www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk
Alphonse Mucha, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Recognised as one of the most prominent artists of the Art Nouveau movement, Czech-born Alphonse Mucha produced a number of iconic works. This show features 100 pieces primarily drawn from the Mucha Trust collection, including drawings, paintings, photographs and some of the artist’s celebrated poster designs, synonymous with the Art Nouveau style of the ‘fin de siècle’.
Until 29 October 2017, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Images:
1. Anita Taylor, Glance, 2012. Charcoal on paper, 210cm x 156cm
2. Raqib Shaw, After A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Copyright: Raqib Shaw and The Whitworth, The University of Manchester
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