Art enthusiasts visiting London this November have an exceptional array of exhibitions to choose from, ranging from contemporary paintings and Islamic craftsmanship to provocative installations and supernatural artworks. These five carefully selected exhibitions offer diverse perspectives on art, culture, and society, providing visitors with compelling reasons to explore the city's vibrant gallery scene.
Kristian Evju's "Hinterlands" at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery presents a fascinating blend of elegance and destruction through beautifully executed paintings. The works feature well-dressed men and women standing among the ruins of once-grand buildings, with nature creeping through crumbling walls in the background. Evju employs a distinctive technique where the foreground appears in black and white while the background bursts with color, reflecting his process of piecing together fragments from different places and time periods. The series draws inspiration from figures in 20th-century Vienna, creating both opulent and post-apocalyptic scenes that run through November 22nd.
"Patterns of Faith: Living Traditions in Islamic Art" at Sotheby's shines a much-needed spotlight on contemporary master craftspeople who continue working in traditional Islamic styles. While museums typically display historical examples of Islamic architecture and craft, this exhibition celebrates living artisans and their exceptional work. Visitors can admire beautiful tiles crafted in Palestine, intricately designed doors made in Afghanistan, expertly carved stone ablution bowls, three ornate Quran stands, and a stunning Syrian ceiling panel that serves as the exhibition's centerpiece. The show, organized by UK charity Turquoise Mountain and Ithra, directly supports these artisan communities and runs until November 5th.
Sarah Miska's "The Hunt" at Sim Smith Gallery captures the absurdity of fox hunting through satirical close-up paintings that focus on red jackets, riding hats, and horseback riders clinking wine glasses. The American artist's outsider perspective allows her to observe the over-the-top pageantry with fresh eyes, revealing the class-related nature of the activity through her depiction of predominantly female riders. A particularly striking piece shows a fox split across two canvases, symbolizing the hunt's horrific conclusion. This thought-provoking exhibition continues through November 15th.
Claire Fontaine's "Show Less" at Mimosa House delivers a deliberately provocative experience that challenges visitors' comfort zones and societal norms. The exhibition immediately confronts viewers with a neon sign in the front window displaying "Fatherfucker," prompting questions about why society typically uses "mother" in profanity and why violating one parent is perceived differently than the other. Upstairs, the show features altered versions of works by Marcel Duchamp and Gustave Courbet's "Origin of the World," a close-up painting of female genitalia. This engaging but controversial exhibition has already generated walk-in complaints, indicating its significant cultural impact, and runs until December 6th.
"Ectoplasmix" at The Gallery of Everything explores the supernatural and otherworldly through recently rediscovered ethereal portraits by Czech medium Frantisek Jaroslav Pecka Susan. These haunting works, found in a private collection, form the centerpiece of an exhibition that also includes other spiritual pieces and historical literature about connections to different realms. Contemporary elements include Susan Hiller's photographs sourced online, which some people believe capture actual ghosts, creating a spine-tingling experience that continues through November 30th. Together, these five exhibitions demonstrate London's position as a global art capital, offering everything from traditional craftsmanship to cutting-edge contemporary work.
