Art exhibitions to see in London this weekend: 17 - 19 May 2024

Discover our selection of art exhibitions to see in London this weekend, from the newly opened exhibitions of photographs from the collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish to the final chance to see the first solo exhibition of Adam Rouhana at Frieze, No.9 Cork Street. Happy art gallery hopping… 

Isa Genzken: Wasserspeier and Angels

Installation view, ‘Isa Genzken. Wasserspeier and Angels,’ Hauser & Wirth London, 2024 © ️ Isa Genzken. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2024. Photo: Alex Delfanne.

#FLODown: Isa Genzken’s installation Wasserspeier and Angels returns to London after 20 years, originally showcased at Hauser & Wirth in 2004. This revival brings her complex assemblage into a contemporary context, addressing enduring sociopolitical themes. Genzken’s exploration of media, politics, and urban spaces, influenced by her experiences in Berlin and New York, culminates in installations blending architectural forms with social commentary.

Date: until 27 July 2024. Location: Hauser & Wirth, 23 Savile Row, London W1S 2ET. Price: Free to visit. Website: hauserwirth.com.

Also worth noting, Objects of Completion is currently on show at Hauser & Wirth, as part of London Craft Week. The exhibition features 19 artist-makers and celebrates over five years of Hauser & Wirth's collaborative exhibitions with artist-makers from across the UK and overseas.

Beryl Cook / Tom of Finland

Tom of Finland, Untitled, 1962 (From the Athletic Model Guild 'The Tattooed Sailor' series) © 1962 Tom of Finland Foundation.

#FLODown: The groundbreaking exhibition, Beryl Cook / Tom of Finland, marks the first collaboration to showcase the works of these two cultural icons. Beryl Cook, renowned for her vibrant portrayals of everyday life in Plymouth, captures scenes with larger-than-life women in vivid and graphic forms. Meanwhile, Tom of Finland, known for pioneering depictions of homosexual masculinity, celebrates queer communities and influenced cultural figures like the Village People and Freddie Mercury. Both artists hyperrealise the body to celebrate pleasure and challenge societal norms, engaging audiences through mediums ranging from Cook's postcards and prints to Tom of Finland's underground publications.

Date: until 25 August 2024. Location: Studio Volatire, 1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR. Price: Free. Website: studiovoltaire.org.

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music

Beyond the Bassline at the British Library. © Terna Jogo.

#FLODown: Beyond the Bassline at the British Library celebrates five centuries of Black British music. Curated by Dr. Aleema Gray and Dr. Mykaell Riley, the exhibition uses art, photography, soundscapes, artefacts, and film to trace the rich history and influence of the UK's Black communities on music and culture. It highlights important figures like 18th-century composer Ignatius Sancho and Dame Shirley Bassey, as well as various musical movements including calypso, jazz, grime, and jungle. The exhibition also celebrates Black spaces of innovation, including clubs, carnivals, and studios, acknowledging their profound significance in music history.

Date: until 26 August 2024. Location: The British Library, 96 Euston R., London NW1 2DB. Price: from £15/£10 adult/child. Book now.

Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection

Simply Fragile, 2022 by Tyler Mitchell © Tyler Mitchell. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

#FLODown: The V&A presents Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, featuring over 300 rare prints from the couple's private collection of modern and contemporary photography. Spanning from the 1950s to the present day, the exhibition showcases works by renowned photographers like Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, and others. Exploring themes of fashion, reportage, celebrity, and the human condition, with a focus on photojournalism that delves into pivotal moments in history, including the Civil Rights movement, AIDS activism, and 9/11. Intimate portraits of icons like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Aretha Franklin, as well as images celebrating gay joy and resilience, are part of the exhibition's compelling visual narrative of the past and present, capturing both poignant and uplifting moments in time.

Date: 18 May 2024 - 5 January 2025. Location:V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Price: From £20. Concessions available. Under 12s Free. Book now.

Design Discoveries: Towards a Design Museum Japan

Tsujikawa Kōichirō Himeji Hyōgo Prefecture Spinning.

#FLODown: Japan House London is currently hosting an exhibition titled Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN, presenting the imaginative responses of leading Japanese designers to the question: "If there were a permanent Japanese design collection, what would you put in it?" Seven renowned designers unveil their selections, including fashion designer Hirokawa Tamae, architect Mizuguchi Tetsuya, and fashion designer Morinaga Kunihiko. Sudō Reiko showcases sportswear inspired by Toyama's Yotaka Andon Festival, while Tagawa Kinya introduces meticulously crafted Yanagi Sōri Cutlery from Ishikawa. Architect Tane Tsuyoshi focuses on earthenware from the Jōmon Period in Iwate, and filmmaker Tsujikawa Kōichirō highlights wooden spinning tops from Hyōgo. Each selection offers a unique glimpse into Japan's rich design heritage.

Date: until 8 September 2024. Location: Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA. Price: Free. Website: japanhouselondon.uk.

Adam Rouhana: Before Freedom

Adam Rouhana, A Lion's Watermelon (بطيخة أسد), 2022. Courtesy of the artist.

#FLODown: Last chance to see Before Freedom by Adam Rouhana at Frieze's No. 9 Cork Street. Rouhani’s first solo exhibition, curated by Amah-Rose Abrams, will feature a selection of his images of Palestinian life. Before Freedom presents a certain truth: a truth of the reality in Palestine that moves beyond rolling news and biased, outmoded documentary photography and photojournalism. These are tableaux that put the viewer in the shoes of Palestinians today.

Date: Until 18 May 2024. Location: Frieze, 9 Cork St, London W1S 3LL. Price: Free. Website: japanhouselondon.uk.  

Photo London 2024

Valérie Belin, Still Life with mirror, 2014. Copyright: Valérie Belin. Courtesy of Galerie Nathalie Obadia Paris:Brussels.

#FLODown: Photo London is back at Somerset House, presenting the finest international photography. The Fair offers a range of historic, vintage, and contemporary works while shining a spotlight on emerging talents. Alongside leading photography dealers and galleries, Photo London's Discovery section highlights the most exciting new voices in the field. The event also features a unique Public Programme, including special exhibitions, installations, and prestigious awards such as the Photo London Master of Photography Award.

Date: until 19 May 2024. Location: Somerset House, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Price: From £35. Concessions available. Book now.

Thumbnail photo by Adam Rouhana. © Adam Rouhana.