January's Most Talked About New Art Exhibitions

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 110 months ago
January's Most Talked About New Art Exhibitions ★★★☆☆ 3

You might have heard the buzz surrounding these exhibitions — if you're undecided about whether or not to see them, here's our quick guide to which ones are worth a visit.

A pixelated version of an ED209 from Robocop, by Walter Newton.

Walter Newton: 20 GOTO 10 at Coningsby gallery
A child of the 80s creates an homage to the age of pixelated gaming with these illustrations, based on characters such as Batman and images of consoles including a Gameboy. It's a great nostalgia trip and the prints are all available at very affordable prices. Until 31 January, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Phillip King at Tate Britain
After the excellent installation by Phyllida Barlow, the Duveen galleries of Tate Britain now host a disappointing set of sculptures by Phillip King. The works are bland and uninteresting, it's a poor choice for an excellent space. Until 1 February, free.

Londonist Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Abbas Kowsari at Wapping Project Bankside
There is a touch of the surreal as this Iranian photographer captures his country's Women's Police Academy at work — with burka clad members rappelling down a building. His images of streets saturated by different colours of lights also show a great eye for composition. Until 28 February, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★★☆

These wooden slats by Virginia Overton produce the illusion of sunlight filtering into the gallery.

Virginia Overton at White Cube, Mason's Yard
Overton transforms the gallery space by filtering the light in the upstairs gallery and by hanging giant wooden beams from the ceiling downstairs — as they slowly spin they resemble a lumbering version of an Alexander Calder mobile. Until 14 March, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★★☆

Paul Simonon: Wot No Bike at ICA
The bassist from the The Clash has turned his hand to painting and in these works he mixes his biker background with the genre of still life. An interesting concept but the final output is very average. Until 6 February, £1 day membership.

Londonist Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Adam Dant — The Budge Row Bibliotheque at Bloomberg Space
Two thousand years of London's history and mythology are thrown together in a 'lost street of the City of London' called Budge Row. These impressively detailed drawings are a treasure trove for London history buffs, but harder to navigate for everyone else. Until 15 March, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

A Paul Wright city street painting in his signature style.

Paul Wright: Head Strong at Thompson's Gallery
We like the loose and energetic style of painter Paul Wright. He's best known for his portraits but in this exhibition it's his city street paintings and monochrome portraits that are the stand out works. Until 1 February, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Jannis Kounellis at Sprovieri
This exhibition needs a safety warning as giant kitchen knives stick out of the walls impaling jackets. It's a surreal and menacing installation. Until 7 February, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Thomas Allen: Contemporary cave painting @ Rebecca Hossack, Charlotte street
The artist has set up a 'cave' at the back of the gallery and is slowly covering the walls in a 360 degree mural. Visitors are invited to draw their own scribbles and the artist will integrate them into his larger piece. Until 8 February, free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Last Updated 26 January 2015