Originally published on Wednesday, 21st January 2009

The Exhibitionist: Bold and Beautiful

The freshest handpicked art picks, gossip, and private views, selected by UJ just for you.

Last week saw the London Art Fair filled with golden babies and patchwork horses, whilst, thanks to a bunch of openings last Thursday, Fitzrovia was feeling distinctly more West Village. With all these new shows knocking about, hopefully this little lot will put a big intrigued smile on your face.

Forthcoming: Peter Blake: The Venice Suite
Bringing his enduring appeal to Bloomsbury, the daddy of British Pop Art, Peter Blake , has created a new series inspired by his recent escapades in Venice: a fantastical journey, apparently, of monochrome freaks and animals of antiquity, apparently.  

23 Jan-28 Feb, Paul Stolper, 31 Museum Street, WC1A 1LH

Catch ‘em whilst they’re hot: Jonathan Meese: Casinoz Babymetabolism
Seeking to make fresh sense of past atrocities, Meese’s mashed-up sculptures and frenzied canvases of sex dolls, banknotes, and images of Scarlett Johansson eagerly tackle the nature of chaos and consumption.

21 Feb , Modern Art, 23/25 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DF

Philip Allen: Sloppy cuts no ice
A mere glimpse of Philip Allen’s abstract collages , all wrapped in thick bands of paint, is pretty much all it takes for the psychedelic pictorial syntax to sidle up and seduce you into dreamy submission.

Until 31 Jan, The Approach, 74 Mortimer Street, W1W 7RZ

Voo-Doo
Riflemaker have struck gold again, gathering artists, writers and musicians in an appreciation of an altered state of mind – achieved via religious-inspired spirit and the odd alcoholic stupor, of course.

Until 4th April. Riflemaker, 79 Beak Street, W1F 9SU

Private Views: Hot artists and a free drink or three
Start with Paul Stoper and a brief hello to Sir Peter Blake, followed by a wee schmooze with some fine, Young Contemporaries at Alan Cristea. Alternatively, sneak a peek at the sometimes obscure sculpture of Jo Addison and Alice Walton in That Was A Good Day. Indeed, it was.

Thursday 22 Jan, 6pm-8pm. Peter Blake: The Venice Suite
Paul Stoper, 31 Museum Street, WC1A 1LH


Tuesday 27 Jan, 6pm-8pm. Young Contemporaries
Alan Cristea, 34 Cork Street, W1S 3NU


Friday 30 Jan, 6pm-8pm. That Was A Good Day
Five Years, Unit 66, 6th Floor, Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, E8 4QN

by SH