Peace, Love, and the Uncanny
Ever Present by Deborah Segun
Follow me on a London gallery hop as I take you through some of my favourite shows this winter ❄️
For the past several weeks, I’ve been braving the cold British weather to bring you TOP content straight to your phone so that you don’t have to miss a single show. This winter, the exhibitions in London have been so top tier that I feel compelled to write about as many of them as possible. Here’s what you missed:
Hump Day by Nell Brookfield
You Are What You Eat, Eve Leibe Gallery
First stop, Eve Leibe Gallery. I visited the gallery on a rainy Saturday afternoon in November for an exhibition tour of You Are What You Eat, a solo show of fresh paintings by British artist Nell Brookfield. The tour was led by art historian and The Great Women Artists podcaster, Katy Hessel.
In her latest series of paintings, Brookfield reflects upon the collective anxiety and alienation felt by many during the global pandemic. Her vibe is similar to Julie Curtiss, leaning into the uncanny and the grotesque. If you’re into contemporary Surrealism then you’ll probably love these works.
Brookfield offers a dark yet humorous take on the world around us, depicting fragmented scenes in rich, vivid colour. Her paintings are somewhat unsettling yet absolutely divine, have a look at the patterns, the detail, the wealth of texture.
Waiting on You by Nell Brookfield
It’s true, you are what you eat and sis ATE with these paintings. The show is now closed (I’m SO sorry lol) but Brookfield recently showcased her work as part of an online group exhibition with art tastemaker, Delphian Gallery so watch this space!
Safe Haven by Deborah Segun
How to Fall in Love, Beers London
Okay, so I first met Deborah Segun back in October at 1-54 where we spoke about the inspiration behind her work and details of her art practice. She is such a kind and brilliant artist and her latest solo show is a must see. How to Fall in Love deals with ideas of healing and self-acceptance through tender depictions of joy.
Sweet Turmoil by Deborah Segun
Stylistically, Segun’s approach to art making is heavily informed by Cubism and her powerful portrayals of women challenge traditional representations of femininity. Through her practice, Segun begins to redefine her own perception of beauty.
Her large-scale paintings feature beautiful colour arrangements, in brilliant hues of bubblegum pink, baby blue, and warm yellow.
Moreover, her portraits convey a level of intimacy that really connects the viewer. In her latest series, Segun grapples with grief. Her practice acts as a means for catharsis, providing a space for healing.
“I don’t just want to exist, I want to be present and in tune with myself. She has been kind enough to give me life and I must reciprocate this kindness,” Segun shared with Beers London.
The show runs until January 15th 2022.
De Speeltuin by Emma Prempeh
At Peace, Gillian Jason Gallery
At Peace features works by a talented group of Black women artists including Emma Prempeh, Miranda Forrester, and Cece Philips. The exhibition is curated by Jade Foster, a British curator and current CCCADI Curatorial Fellow in Afro-Caribbean Art. Foster brings together ethereal paintings by five emerging artists exploring both historical and personal narratives that reimagine representations of Black cultural identity.
Lovers by Miranda Forrester
With lush backdrops and blue-skinned figures, Barabadian artist Alanis Forde presents visions of paradise. Her paintings touch on colonial history, revisiting the past from a non-Western perspective. Similarly, British artist Sahara Longe subverts Expressionist painting techniques to depict Black women through her own gaze.
In her signature style, Miranda Forrester presents a series of intimate paintings, employing oil on PVC to create candid portrayals of queer love.
At Peace is expressive, serene, and confessional, with each artist offering a nuanced perspective on the Black female form. So, if you’re taking a break from NFTs, these figurative paintings will remind you why nothing beats the real thing.
The show runs until January 30th 2022.