London's vibrant art scene continues to captivate visitors with an impressive array of exhibitions currently on display across the city. From innovative gallery openings to thought-provoking contemporary installations, the capital offers art enthusiasts a diverse selection of visual experiences that blend traditional techniques with modern concepts.
One of the most exciting developments is the opening of Interval, a new gallery in Clerkenwell that has launched with an exceptional inaugural show titled "NOBLECurve." The gallery introduces an innovative concept that pairs contemporary artworks with historical pieces they reference, creating fascinating dialogues between different eras. The current exhibition features twelve floral digital artworks and a video piece displayed in the downstairs area, all created by artist Petra Cortright. These contemporary works are thoughtfully combined with historical artworks exploring similar themes, all consigned from Old Master dealers. This fresh approach to curation promises an exciting future for the gallery, with the exhibition running until December 20th.
At Edel Assanti, visitors can experience "And yet it still moves," a captivating exhibition by Noemie Goudal that challenges perceptions of reality through carefully crafted landscapes. The show's highlight is located in the final room, where a mesmerizing video displays what appears to be a solid rock formation that periodically explodes, revealing itself to be merely an image with another image lying beneath. This hypnotic and illusory piece creates an almost meditative viewing experience that draws viewers back repeatedly. Throughout the other rooms, Goudal presents equally intriguing works, including images of vegetation that appear to be viewed through opaque glass and a projector that illuminates a rock image with dramatic slivers of light. The exhibition continues until December 12th.
Unit London currently hosts "We Want to Believe in Impossible Things," a fascinating exploration by Jess Allen that examines the stories we construct from limited visual information. The exhibition focuses on shadow imagery, presenting viewers with silhouettes of individuals without revealing the actual bodies that cast these shadows. This artistic choice forces audiences to build their own narratives based solely on these shadowy forms, making assumptions about unseen figures. Allen's sumptuous paintings invite contemplation about the concept of the shadow self and evoke Plato's famous allegory of the cave, where prisoners must interpret reality based only on shadows cast on walls. The exhibition runs through November 29th.
In an unusual but compelling venue, St. Marylebone Parish Church presents "Tannhauser Gate" by Paul Benney, which offers a contemporary interpretation of traditional religious art. Benney has reimagined the classic church triptych altarpiece by incorporating traditional religious motifs alongside illuminated signs from modern society. The work features conventional elements such as the descent from the cross, Christ's entombment, and mourning figures, but places them next to contemporary symbols like elevator indicators and emergency exit signs. Named after a memorable quote from the science fiction film "Blade Runner," the exhibition carries a distinctly futuristic quality. Behind the main paintings, a series depicts a candle slowly burning down to nothing, adding another layer of temporal meditation. This unique exhibition continues until November 19th.
Gasworks presents "Mémoires des corps" by Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien, an immersive installation that draws from the artist's Creole heritage while addressing themes of intergenerational trauma. The centerpiece is a cosmic textile artwork featuring a uterus at its center, surrounded by ceramic vessels placed strategically on the floor and lines of beads suspended from the ceiling. Manlanbien's work creates an environment that seamlessly blends natural and man-made elements, inviting visitors to step into her world and experience the intersection of tradition, memory, and contemporary artistic expression. The installation reflects deeply personal stories while maintaining universal appeal, running until December 14th.
These five exhibitions represent the diversity and innovation currently defining London's art landscape, offering visitors opportunities to engage with works that range from digital contemporary pieces to traditional religious reimaginings, from shadow play to textile installations that bridge cultural heritage with modern artistic practice.
