Discover our pick of events in London this week: 8 - 14 January 2024.

KIN
Gecko, an acclaimed physical theatre company, premieres Kin at the National Theatre this week, marking a milestone for the esteemed group. Inspired by Artistic Director Amit Lahav's grandmother's escape from Yemen to Palestine, Kin delves into the impactful journey that shaped Lahav's family's destiny. Reflecting on this transformative decision made nearly a century ago, Lahav navigates the tale of seeking a better life. With Gecko's signature physicality and compelling storytelling, Kin presents a stirring narrative of desperation and compassion, offering a thought-provoking exploration of human resilience and hope.

Date: 12 – 27 January 2024. Location: National Theatre Upper Ground South Bank London SE1 9PX. Price: £20 -  £69. Book now.

London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle: Janáček's Jenůfa

Jenůfa is Janáček's poignant opera, exploring a woman's struggles in a suffocating small town where her pregnancy without marriage brings shame. Conductor Sir Simon Rattle leads a remarkable cast in this emotionally charged performance, with Agneta Eichenholz and Katarina Karnéus delivering heart-wrenching portrayals of the central characters. Janáček's opera vividly captures human suffering and redemption within the constraints of everyday life.

Date: 11 and 14 January 2024. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £18-£70. Book now.

Chisenhale Crit with Julianknxx

Renowned artist Julianknxx joins Peer Sessions, led by Kate Pickering and Charlotte Warne Thomas, for a work-in-progress sharing session at Chisenhale Gallery. Artists and the public are invited to present and discuss their work in a collaborative setting. Julianknxx, renowned for exhibitions at Tate Modern and the Barbican Centre, will be a guest artist. Peer Sessions, established in 2009, provides a platform for constructive critique, allowing artists to engage with contemporary art and societal themes. The event is free, but reservations are necessary for attendance.

Date: Tuesday 9 January 2024. Time: 7 - 9pm. Location: Chisenhale Gallery, 64 Chisenhale Road London E3 5QZ.Price: Free. Book now.

The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair

The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair will be held at London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square this week. Featuring about forty esteemed exhibitors, including members of The British Antique Dealers' Association and LAPADA, the fair showcases a diverse selection of top-tier art and antiques. Visitors can explore and acquire period furniture, sculptures, paintings, jewellery, ceramics, clocks, Asian pottery, rugs, vintage watches, and rare decorative pieces.

Date: 11–14 January 2024. Location: The London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, Duke Street, London W1K 6JP. Price: Free if you register. £10 on the door. Website: mayfairfair.com.

Randall Goosby: Intersections - Black Music & Words

Violinist Randall Goosby, the Southbank Centre Resident Artist, leads a performance exploring the connection between poetry, folk songs, and music by Black composers. Joined by a talented ensemble, they showcase works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, merging music with spoken word. Goosby highlights how string instruments reflect human experiences and voices, aiming to express Black culture through intertwined artistic traditions. He's known for spotlighting underrepresented composers, contributing to a more inclusive musical landscape.

Date: 14 January 2024. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Price: £25. Book now.

Peace Concert

Join the Peace Concert at Leighton House for a unique blend of contemporary and classical oud music by Samir Aouad and Achref Chargui on 10 January 2024. This charity event supports the PCRF's humanitarian efforts for Middle Eastern children. Enjoy a two-hour oud performance in an intimate setting while contributing to a noble cause.

Date: 10 January 2024. Time: 6.30pm. Location: Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road London W14 8LZ. Price: from £100. Book now.

DREAMWORKS (ii)

Solomon Garçon concludes his exhibition at Studio Voltaire with DREAMWORKS (ii), a performance/listening party exploring uncharted spaces within the gallery. As part of the ARMS exhibition, Garçon's art delves into digital and underground realms for experimentation. Referencing reality TV and horror, the artist crafts narratives of shifting and re-imagined spaces. DREAMWORKS (ii) incorporates shadow-play, movement, and live sound, but note, it involves loud music and strobing lights.

Date: 11 January 2024. Time: 7 pm. Location: Studio Voltaire,1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR. Price: £3. Book now.

Festive celebrations: Last Chance

The Nutcracker
Catch the final run of The Nutcracker at The Royal Opera House this week. Experience Clara's magical Christmas Eve journey, accompanied by Tchaikovsky's iconic score and choreographed by Peter Wright. With period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman and exquisite performances by The Royal Ballet, this is a holiday tradition to savour one last time!

Date: 6 December 2023 – 13 January 2024. Location: Royal Opera House Bow St, London WC2E 9DD. Price: £5- £160. Book now.

Skate at Somerset House

While other Christmas pop-up rinks wrap up for the season, Skate at Somerset House keeps the festive spirit alive by extending ice-skating sessions until the week's end.

Date: 15 November 2023 - 14 January 2024. Location: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA.Price: £24/£12.50 adult/child. Book now.

Veganuary in London

In January, we're highlighting London's top vegan restaurants to celebrate Veganuary. This annual initiative by a UK nonprofit organisation promotes and educates about veganism, encouraging a plant-based lifestyle for the entire month. Since its launch in 2014, participation in this event has consistently grown year after year.

Click here to discover 20 vegan restaurants to try in London this month.

Arts & Culture

Opening this week

Ick-xhibition

Launching this week at Hackney Downs, the Ick-xhibition uncovers the uncomfortable facets of our bathroom routines. Sponsored by Life Supplies, photographer Angèle Châtenet's visual showcase reveals the overlooked and occasionally cringe-worthy elements of our daily bathroom rituals. It aims to shed light on these intimate yet commonly shared moments that often escape our notice or memory.

Date: 15 - 20 January 2024. Time:10am-6pm. Location: Spazio Leone, Hackney Downs Studios,  17 Amhurst Terrace, Lower Clapton, London E8 2BT. Price: Free.

Roby Dwi Antono: TUK 

Almine Rech presents Roby Dwi Antono's latest exhibition this week. Inspired by the birth of his daughter, Laut, in July 2023, Roby's art delves into the intricacies of parenthood. Departing from detailed landscapes, he employs raw strokes and vibrant colours to evoke emotions rather than specific scenes. Drawing from childhood memories in Ambarawa, central Java, his art acts as a metaphorical Tuk, providing a genuine insight into his world and prompting reflection on personal experiences.

Date: 11 January – 17 February 2024. Location: Almine Rech, Broadbent House, Grosvenor Hill, London W1K 3JH. Price: Free. Website: alminerech.com.

#FLOFAVOURITES: THIS WEEK

brave and pathetic is better than drowning in shame

Josefin Arnell and Max Göran present brave and pathetic is better than drowning in shame, their inaugural UK exhibition. Featuring new moving image installations, the show contrasts unattainable objects through themes of truckers, horse girls, and the police. Arnell's Beast and Feast follows a police officer's quest for a perfect horse, while Göran's Dieseline Dreams explores an artist's desire to become a trucker. Additionally, Göran's Mitsubishi Hop-on Hop-off - Grand Finale reflects on a car's final ride through Berlin. Both artists use humour and absurdity, challenging conventional narratives inviting viewers to reconsider perceptions and embrace the expressive power of their works.

Date: 8 December 2023 – 25 February 2024. Location: Cell Project Space, 258 Cambridge Heath Rd, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9DA. Price: Free. Book now.

Beyond Form

Pi Artworks London presents Beyond Form, curated by Harper Doyle, showcasing Albano Hernandez, Selma Parlour, and Kemal Seyhan. This pop-up exhibition redefines painting through their unique techniques: Hernandez questions art production using air-dry clay, Seyhan layers colours for a sculptural effect, and Parlour creates screen-like paintings with delicate oil lines. Together, they challenge traditional perceptions of 'painting,' emphasising texture and pigment's expressive power.

Date: 4 – 13 January 2024. Location: 55 Eastcastle St, London W1W 8EG. Price: Free. Book now.

Last chance

Alia Farid: Elsewhere

Alia Farid's Elsewhere debuts as her first UK solo exhibition, exploring overlooked histories often marginalised or obscured by the Global North. The exhibition reimagines the political significance of daily life, featuring sixteen hand-woven rugs portraying Palestinian diaspora narratives in Puerto Rico. Crafted in collaboration with weavers from Iraq, these vibrant textiles illustrate how migration within the Global South shapes shared struggles and solidarity. The exhibition serves as a living archive, tracing cultural convergence across continents and marking the start of a larger exploration into Arab and South Asian migration in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Date: 1 December 2023 - 4 February 2024. Location: Chisenhale Gallery, 64 Chisenhale Rd, Old Ford, London E3 5RG.Price: Free. Website: chisenhale.org.uk.

Radical Landscapes Art inspired by the land

The William Morris Gallery showcases Radical Landscapes, an exhibition exploring art's connection to nature, politics, and social issues. Featuring over 60 works by artists like JMW Turner and Derek Jarman, the exhibit examines themes of freedom, exploitation, and land access in British landscapes. It spans historical paintings to contemporary pieces, addressing modern environmental challenges and Morris's environmental ideals. The exhibition also highlights protests through photographs and connects Morris's work to today's environmental movements.

Date: until 18 February 2024. Location: William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park House, 531 Forest Rd, London E17 4PP. Price: Free entry (suggested donation of £5). Book now.

Last chance

Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas

This week marks the final opportunity to explore Sarah Lucas's bold exploration of the human form, sexuality, and societal narratives at Tate Britain. Featuring over 75 artworks spanning four prolific decades, including intriguing new creations, this exhibition encapsulates Lucas's celebrated career.

Date: 28 September 2023 – 14 January 2024. Location: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Price: from £17. Concession available.
Book now. 

Claudette Johnson: Presence

Your last opportunity to experience Claudette Johnson's thought-provoking art is here! Presence at The Courtauld Gallery is a celebration of this influential British artist, renowned for her powerful drawings exploring Black identity. Curated by Dorothy Price, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art, the exhibition presents Johnson's career journey, showcasing her earliest works through to her most recent creations.

Date: 29 September 2023 – 14 January 2024. 
Location: The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN. Price: from £13. Concessions available. Book now.

RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology 

Ending soon at Barbican Art Gallery, RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology explores the link between gender, environmental damage, and marginalised communities through artworks by 50 global artists. It advocates for creative protest amid ecological challenges, reframing gender-environment discussions and promoting empowerment in the face of extractive capitalism's impact.

Date: 5 October 2023 – 14 January 2024. Location: Barbican Art Gallery, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £16. Concessions available. Book now.

The Song of Psyche: Corners of a Soul's Otherworlds

This week marks your final chance to experience The Song of Psyche, a collaboration between Edward Bekkerman and Nicola Turner. Their exploration of the connection between the physical and the subconscious unfolds through Bekkerman's symbolic forms and Turner's enigmatic figures. Don't miss this opportunity to witness Turner's site-specific interventions and Bekkerman's debut exhibition in the UK, ending soon!

Date: 25 November 2023 - 12 January 2024. Location: Shtager&Shch, 51-53 Margaret Street, W1W 8SQ. Price: Free. Website: shtager-shch.com.

Solomon Garçon: ARMS

Solomon Garçon's ARMS exhibition at Studio Voltaire merges sound, sculpture, and performance. Exploring the 'digital' and 'underground,' Garçon crafts narratives and simulations of imaginative spaces, drawing from reality TV and horror genres. Enigmatic sculptures hidden under shrouds prompt questions on protection and latent violence. Chairs symbolise absent or potential onlookers, while reverb techniques delve into the 'territorial.'

Date: 4 October 2023 –14 January 2024. Location: Studio Voltaire, 1A Nelsons Row, London SW4 7JR. Price: Free. Website: studiovoltaire.org.

Nicole Eisenman: What Happened

Nicole Eisenman’s What Happened presents a collection of 100+ artworks spanning three decades. This exhibition showcases unseen UK pieces, including monumental paintings, sculptures, prints, animations, and drawings, unveiling Eisenman's diverse style. The display, organised chronologically into eight sections, delves into her critical and humorous exploration of socio-political issues, from gender and identity to technology's impact on relationships and US political turmoil.

Date:11 October 2023 - 14 January 2024. Location: Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX. Price: from £9.50. Concessions available. Book now.

Vincenzo de Cotiis: Archaeology of Consciousness

Catch the closing of Vincenzo De Cotiis's exhibit, Archaeology of Consciousness at Carpenters Workshop Gallery. De Cotiis defies archway norms using rare stones, recycled fibreglass, and Murano glass. His innovative approach reshapes arches, transforming them into gateways to new perspectives and ancestral transitions.

Date: 11 October 2023 - 13 January 2024. Location: Ladbroke Hall, 79 Barlby Road W10. Price: Free.

Cinema

Scala!!!

Scala!!! is a documentary celebrating London's legendary Scala cinema, a creative space during Britain's post-punk era. It showcased diverse films, defying norms with high art, cult classics, and boundary-pushing genres like LGBTQIA+. With interviews from 50 contributors, unseen footage, and an original soundtrack by Barry Adamson, the film captures Scala's rebellious spirit and its lasting impact on generations of creatives.

Date: 5 -11 January 2024. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £13 +booking fee. Book now.

#FLOFavourites: Pick of the Week

FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK

Lunchtime Lecture: Gabrielle Chanel- Fashion Subversions

If you missed out on tickets for the sold-out Chanel exhibition at the V&A, here's a chance to savour a taste of it. Join curator Connie Karol Burks as she delves into Gabrielle Chanel’s revolutionary approach to fashion, gender, and luxury in an engaging talk. Connie, the curator of Textiles and Fashion since 1900 at the V&A, offers a unique insight into Chanel's design evolution over her sixty-year career.

Date: 11 January 2024. Time: 1pm -1.55pm. Location: The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Book now.

Interview of the week

In conversation with Muirne Kate Dineen

Muirne Kate Dineen is an artist known for her expertise in colour and surfaces. Her vibrant and occasionally unconventional use of colour draws inspiration from extensive global travels, particularly in India. A British Council scholarship in India led her to pursue a Studio-based PhD at the RCA, focusing on introducing a traditional fresco process from Western India into contemporary art and architecture—an approach she continues to apply in her work. Her fascination lies in the impact of time on colour and surface fragmentation, exploring the concept of art evolving through time.

Click here for the full interview.

Food of the Week

SlowBurn London

SlowBurn sits high on our 2024 restaurant list for good reason. This gem champions vegetables as the star of the show, serving up beautifully crafted dishes that blend European culinary traditions. Tucked away in a jeans factory in Walthamstow, SlowBurn promises a unique and memorable dining experience.

Click here to explore 16 must-visit London restaurants for 2024.

Cause of the week

Talk About Art  (TAA)

TAA work to fosters creative confidence in young people, seeing it as a vital skill applicable in all aspects of life. They provide guided creative opportunities for young people facing financial, social, or cultural barriers, aiming to unlock their potential as future architects, designers, engineers, and artists.

Send them an email if you have an interest in getting involved. 

Instagram: @talkaboutartuk.