Diary of a London Art Critic: November

Lots of Discerning Eyes and exhibitions all over town

In this post, I summarise every exhibition I’ve seen over the last few weeks, not just those I write about in other publications, and you get my honest thoughts on them. It’s been another hectic fortnight and no sign of the art world slowing down just yet, even if it has got a lot colder. Here’s some art to keep you warm.

Monday 11 November

With Yvan Rolly Nembot and his work - the winner of my critic’s purchase prize

This week was dominated by the ING Discerning Eye exhibition at Mall Galleries (until 24 November, free), where I am a trustee and former selector in 2020. The concept is that trustees pick six selectors - two critics/curators, two collectors, and two artists- to select roughly 100 artworks for their walls. It’s a mixture of invited artists and those selected from the open call. I’m biased but I urge you to go check it out.

Monday is hanging today and as I celebrated my birthday over the weekend I handed over the leftover treats to the amazing technicians hanging the works under the guidance of the selectors - and the occasional stand-in where the selector couldn’t make it.

This was followed by three busy evenings for the sponsor ING’s clients, collectors and importantly the artists. They were fab nights and there’s still plenty of great art to see and buy at reasonable prices. I have my critic’s purchase prize and snapped up a fantastic pencil portrait. I also met the artist (and his proud mum), who is very young and this was his first exhibition.

Tuesday 12 November

Two major press views were followed by a smattering of smaller shows on Tuesday, ending back at the Discerning Eye exhibition for the evening.

Vital Signs: Another World is Possible at Science Gallery (until 17 May, free) is a show about how the health of the natural world is linked to our health. I liked Gayle Chong Kwan’s river guardians with sculptures resembling coprolites (fossilised faeces) hanging below them and how sewage ash and the artist’s urine were used in their manufacture - FYI the use of urine in textiles has a long history.

Sitting inside a bark cloth tent by Birungi Kawooya deadens the sound and the smell is soothing. Plus having chairs in the space made of paint that reacts to heat unlocked my inner child. This gallery had fallen off my radar of late, but I’m glad it’s back on it as this is a fascinating exhibition.

The second half of my morning was spent at Leighton and Landscape at Leighton House Museum (until 27 April, ticketed). It’s a completely different side to Leighton who we associate with rich detailed history and mythical scenes. These are some casual studies and feel more Impressionist than the style we associate with Leighton, it’s subtle and eye-opening.

As I was local, I visited Bill Armstrong’s blurred photographs at Hacklebury (until 23 November, free) but they did little for me.

My final stop before the Mall Galleries was the fantastic paintings by John Monks at Long & Ryle (until 10 January, free). I’ve always loved his ‘distressed’ style of painting interiors and this is another excellent array of those plus a few exterior landscapes in his trademark style.

Below the paywall:

• Two major photography exhibitions open

• Lots of little exhibitions you may not know about

• Plus some food and music to boot