A Journey Through Art: Must-See Exhibitions This Season
Exhibition of the Week: Ancient India – Living Traditions
The British Museum in London presents an ambitious blockbuster, Ancient India: Living Traditions,
showcasing how Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art took shape and influenced the world.Running from May 22 to October 19, this exhibition offers a deep dive into the enduring legacy of ancient Indian artistic and spiritual practices.
Visit the British Museum for more data.
Also Showing: Diverse Artistic Voices
- To Improvise a Mountain: At Leeds Art Gallery until October 5, conceptual painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye curates a selection of art that inspires her, featuring works from Bas Jan Ader to Walter Sickert.
- Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures: The Hepworth Wakefield hosts a retrospective of Helen Chadwick, an artist known for her provocative explorations of sensuality. The exhibition runs from May 17 to October 27.
- Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits: Kenwood House in London presents a focused exhibition of John Singer Sargent’s stylish and characterful portraits, on display until October 5, 2025.
- Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely: myths and Machines: Hauser and Wirth Somerset in Bruton showcases the collaborative and individual works of Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely,a married couple known for their wildly inventive art. The exhibition is open from May 17 to February 1.
Image of the Week: Helen Chadwick’s Provocative Vision
Helen Chadwick, In the Kitchen (Washing Machine), 1977.Photograph: The Estate of Helen Chadwick
Helen Chadwick’s career, though tragically short, is celebrated in a major retrospective.the exhibition includes pieces like a chocolate fountain filled with 800 kilograms of Tony’s Chocolonely and her Piss Flowers,
white bronze sculptures cast from snow-holes created by the artist and her husband. Laura Smith,curator of the retrospective at the Hepworth Wakefield,notes,She was trying to disrupt societal conventions,including gender normativity … She was really pioneering and wasn’t afraid of art being sexy or funny,either.
What We Learned: Recent Insights in the Art World
- the new Fenix Rotterdam museum presents the realities of migration alongside esoteric art.
- Treasures of sacred art from India remain a vibrant, living tradition.
- Unseen war photographs by Lee Miller are on display at Photo London.
- Anna Perach creates extraordinary, wearable carpet sculptures.
- Linda rosenkrantz documented the secrets of the new York art scene in the 1960s.
- Pioneering video artist Dara Birnbaum has passed away at the age of 78.
- Street artist Nicolas Party unveils a large mural at Bath’s Holburne museum.
- Australia sends its first all-Indigenous team to the Venice Architecture Biennale.
- Koyo Kouoh, who was set to be the Venice Biennale’s first African curator, has died at 57.
Masterpiece of the Week: vincenzo Catena’s Portrait of a Young man
Vincenzo Catena, Portrait of a Young Man, about 1510. Photograph: Alamy
Vincenzo Catena’s Portrait of a Young Man,
circa 1510, evokes the essence of Venice with its open blue sky and light, puffy clouds reminiscent of Giovanni Bellini and Titian. Catena,likely a pupil of Bellini,adheres to his teacher’s style,capturing the sitter with bright-eyed precision.
This portrait, a faithful mirror to its subject, can be viewed at the National Gallery in London.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did You Know?
Helen Chadwick’s “Piss flowers” are white bronze sculptures cast from holes she and her husband made by peeing in thick snow. this provocative work challenges societal norms and explores themes of sensuality and the body.
Pro Tip
When visiting art exhibitions,take advantage of guided tours or audio guides to gain deeper insights into the artworks and the artists’ intentions. This can greatly enhance your thankfulness and understanding of the art on display.
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