ArtSpam Favourites: August 2021

So, August has been an odd month. At least, I think so. Is it summer is it autumn? What has the world come to!? It seems like the world is slowly falling apart, or at least that’s what it says in the news. But if we adjust our eyes from the blinding flash news that streaks across our screens every moment, we may see hidden on the horizon arts and culture. A small, but welcome constant in our every changing world. Covid-19 changed how we interact with our spaces and, indeed, each other. but it can’t change how we interact with art, artists, cultural movements and other creative outlets. The arts are malleable, they’ll adjust, bend and flex with the times. the ‘here and now’ is no different.

So what has been happening in the ‘Here and Now’ well, The V&A have outdone themselves (again) with a fabulous exhibition about the arts, culture and history of Iran. The Queens Gallery as opened its doors to the public to showcase the masters that have hung on the walls of Buckingham Palace and then the Serpentine Gallery have showcased some beautiful photographs that span two continents from the independence of Ghana to the swinging 60’s of London and then a quick stop at a the Royal Academy of Art to see Michael Armitage. So, an interesting mix of art this month.

1. ‘The Listening Housewife’ Nicholaes Maes 1655 (The Queens Gallery, London)

2. ‘Judith with the head of Holofernes’ Cristofano Allori 1613 (The Queens Gallery, London)

3. ‘The Chicken Thief’ Michael Armitage 2019 (Royal Academy of Art, London)

4. ‘Muhammad Ali preparing for his fight against Brian London’ James Barnor 1966 London (Serpentine Gallery London)

5. ‘Mike Ethan at Piccadilly Circus’ James Barnor1967 (Serpentine Gallery London)

6. ‘Young Girl in Kente and Oduku Hairstyle. Ga- Danbunubperty Rite Celebration’ James Barnor 1970s (Serpentine Gallery London)

7. ‘The Deluge’ Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg dates unknown (The V&A)

8. After Franz Xaver Winterhalter Portrait of Queen Victoria circa. 1857-61 (The V&A)

9. Oxus Treasure Armlet 500-330BC (Epic Iran, The V&A)

10. Glance No. 10 Timo Nasseri 2010 (Epic Iran, The V&A)