In April, perhaps this Spring thing that we’ve been promised will actually happen. Here’s some exciting art sure to make you feel all fresh and new. Or not.
AK Dolven: Please return
IKON, ikon-gallery.org
4 February — 19 April
Work by one of Norway’s most prominent artist is currently on show at the IKON gallery. The work includes installation, painting, film and sound and are concerned with Dolven’s interest in the representation of sublime natural forces.
This theme echoes the work of renowned nineteenth century Norwegian painter Peder Balke (1804–1887), and examples of his work is also included in the exhibition. You can probably legitimately call yourself an expert on Norwegian art after a visit.
Art from Elsewhere: International Contemporary Art from UK Galleries
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, www.birminghammuseums.org.uk
14 February – 31 May
Showcasing 19 international artists, this exhibition contains art that considers the themes of global change, postcolonial experiences and failed utopias.
It has been curated by David Elliott, who has pulled together the pieces from work recently collected as part of the Art Fund International scheme.
Disrupted
Mac, macbirmingham.co.uk
14 March – 3 May
Curated by Noëmi Lakmaier, this group exhibition has been created to respond and to and interact with the space, including the building itself and it’s audiences.
The theme of the exhibition, which includes artworks and installations, is “other” and it aims to challenge visitors to have encounters that might be a bit, well, awkward. The exhibition has been commissioned in partnership with DASH as part of ‘IN’, a DASH initiative concerned with sustaining Disability Arts in the mainstream.
New Art Annuale 2015
Article, www.articlegallery.co.uk
20 March – 15 April
The first New Art WM: Annuale exhibition has been set up to showcase the artistic talent across the West Midlands, with leading practitioners exhibiting their work, which is also for sale.
Ever fancied a nice big chunk of contemporary art to make your walls beautiful and dazzle your friends? Then this is for you. Your hipster cred will remain intact because you’ll be able to boast that it’s not only your organic veg that you source locally, but your art too. The pieces range from £100 – £3,500 and you can pick out the first, or next, piece for your collection at The School of Art in Margaret Street.
Aideen Doran: Im Bau
Grand Union, grand-union.org.uk
18 April – 4 June
Aideen Doran is leading a research project at Grand Union this Spring – interrogating the city of Birmingham. Not about whether everyone has gone all Peaky Blinders and shoved lady shaves into their beanies, but in terms of a space artistic, economic and ideological production. The output from the research will be shared through the research lab set up in the gallery and there will be a series of talks and workshops around the findings.
Love is Enough: William Morris and Andy Warhol
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, www.birminghammuseums.org.uk
25 April – 6 September
Perhaps not the most likely of artistic pairings, this exhibition brings together works by two very famous but very different artists.
The link between the two is curator Jeremy Deller, the Turner-prize winning artist, who cites Morris and Warhol as his greatest artistic influences. Go and see for yourself if these two very distinct artists work together. Entry to the exhibition is £7.
Sally Watson-Jones.
Arts Editor, Grapevine Birmingham.