Galleries - August 2019

ARTicle this month’s news S T O R Y T I M E A love of theatrical clothing, dressing up, make up and costume, and transforming into somebody else is what has driven Cindy Sherman through a 40 year career at the cutting edge of experimental art. Now exhibiting 190 works in a major retrospective at London’s National Portrait Gallery – with every image of herself – she nonetheless told an interviewer writing in UK Harper’s Bazaar that they are not self-portraits: “I really don’t think of myself as being in any of the photographs.” She is (one presumes) therefore using herself as a prop, creating enigmatic shots, powerful with a capital P and at times challenging for the viewer. What’s the story? they all seem to ask. Sherman sites Hitchcock’s 1954 film ‘Rear Window’ as an important influence: “Tell me everything you saw and what you think it means.” A telling clue for sure. FINNISH HERE Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) may not be a household name in the UK but in her Finnish homeland she is celebrated as one of the most famous and highly regarded artists. Now being shown in a first UK solo exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, the 65 portraits, landscapes and still lifes show a life’s work of great skill and sensitivity. Schjerbeck spent time in Paris, Pont Aven France, St Ives Cornwall as well as working in Finland and the exhibition is a fine opportunity to see her journey from a place at the Finnish Drawing School aged 11 to posthumously representing Finland at the Venice Biennale ten years after her death. right ‘Self-portrait, Black Background’ Herman & Elisabeth Hallonblad Collection. Finnish National Gallery / Ateneum Art Museum; photo Yehia Eweis . . . dear diary September 13-15 New Artist Fair London, The Old Truman Brewery, Dray Walk, opposite Ely's Yard London E1 6QR September 20-22 Fresh: Contemporary Art Fair Ascot, Ascot Race Course, Berkshire SL5 7JX October 11-13 Sussex Art Fairs (East) Brighton, Brighton Race Course, East Sussex BN2 9XZ October 18-20 Autumn Landmark Art Fair, Teddington Landmark Arts Centre, Ferry Road, London TW11 9MN November 8-10 Contemporary Art Fairs Windsor, Royal Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Rd, Berkshire SL4 5JJ Party Queen Buckingham Palace’s doors are now open for summer visitors – an opportunity to wander through the opulent state rooms and garden. This year’s special exhibition is ‘Queen Victoria’s Palace’ highlighting the music, dancing and entertaining that filled Victoria’s early reign. right: Digital recreation of the 1856 Crimean Ball

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