Turner, Constable and Rembrandt dominate the visual arts calendar this autumn
Keep up to date on the must see London exhibitions 2014 with Culture Whisper's top autumn picks
Keep up to date on the must see London exhibitions 2014 with Culture Whisper's top autumn picks writes Ali Godwin
Late Turner: Painting Set Free, Tate Britain, 10th September – 25th January
Top of Culture Whisper’s list is the new Turner exhibition at Tate Britain. With the new ‘Mr Turner’ biopic out soon in cinemas, this display reaches back to the roots of why Turner is so beloved by reminding us of the sublime landscapes that established him as one of the greatest artists of the 19th century.
Rembrandt: the late works, National Gallery, 15th October – 18th January
Over at the National Gallery the once in a lifetime Rembrandt exhibition, in collaboration with Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, brings us 100 late works from the iconic Dutch artist who created a new expressive and coarse style of painting as he faced person tragedy and financial difficulties.
Constable: Making of a Master, V&A, 20th September – 11th January
The V&A’s blockbuster exhibition this season is John Constable, the Romantic painter who venerated rural 19th century England in his vast six foot high paintings, and transformed the landscape genre with his mastery of colour. A wonderful response to Tate Britain’s retrospective on contemporary artist J.M.W. Turner.
Anselm Kiefer, Royal Academy, 27th September – 14th December
After the success of Anselm Kiefer’s gargantuan leaning towers, entitled ‘Jericho’, in the courtyard of Burlington House in 2007, this hotly anticipated exhibition at the Royal Academy will be dominated by breath-taking scale in a blend of retrospective pieces and new site-specific works from the acclaimed German artist.
Ming: 50 years that changed China, British Museum, 18th September – 5th January
Western dominance of the visual arts is overturned by this landmark exhibition on the legendary Ming Dynasty. An unmatched assembly of some of the most rarely seen and beautiful works of art ever created illustrate the cultural richness of Chinese history.
Egon Schiele: The Radical Nude, Courtauld Gallery, 23rd October – 18th January
Courtauld Gallery’s retrospective of the controversial Expressionist artist Egon Schiele highlights a series of erotic works uncensored by romantic ideals of the human body. Controversial in the subject and execution of his work, Schiele has also had a very dark personal life.
Sigmar Polke, Tate Modern, 9th October – 8th February
The non-conformist artist Sigmar Polke avoids definition in this exhibition at Tate Modern where sculpture, painting, drawing, prints and film seek to explain the witty and weird world of this German post-war artist.
Tracey Emin: The Last Great Adventure is You, White Cube Bermondsey, 8th October – 16th November
With the imminent return of Tracey Emin’s ‘My Bed’ to the Tate Modern, the ever-candid Turner prize nominee presents a major new exhibition in London for the first time in five years.
The National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition on the work of William Morris explores the 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement and the impact of Morris’ socialist leanings on the visual language of his designs.
Smaller exhibitions that have us talking:
Anthony Caro, Annely Juda Fine Art, 11th September – 25th October
After the death of iconic British sculptor Caro last year, Annely Juda presents 25 of the later Perspex works which illuminate the importance of this artist’s welded steel forms.
Pierre Huyghe, Hauser & Wirth, 13th September – 1st November
Hauser & Wirth’s sought after new show by internationally acclaimed artist Pierre Huyghe, best known for his immersive works, is shrouded in mystery and is set to be the must see of the season.
Francesca Woodman: Zig Zag, Victoria Miro, 9th September – 4th October
The strong patterns in the work of American photographer Francesca Woodman are put into focus by Victoria Miro. Woodman’s fascinating biography and dream-like aesthetic make this an interesting pick for your cultural calendar
Marina Abramovic: White Space, Lisson Gallery, 17th September – 1st November
After Abramovic’s 512 hours at the Serpentine this summer, our withdrawal symptoms are being eased by this exhibition at Lisson where never before exhibited material and a retrospective of her performances will be on display.
Festivals, art fairs and prizes to look out for:
Don’t forget about the contemporary art fixture, Frieze 2014 , which takes over Regent’s Park in October. Also worth a look is the smaller, but hugely varied work on display at Frieze Masters.
Culture Whisper are also looking forward to the London Design Festival which boasts events and exhibitions across London throughout September.
And if it is controversy you want, the ever provocative Turner Prize returns with a 2014 shortlist dominated by alumni of the Glasgow School of Art.