December's Most Talked About New Art Exhibitions

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 111 months ago
December's Most Talked About New Art Exhibitions ★★★☆☆ 3

If you're after a pre-Christmas art experience, you're in luck as we've rounded up the latest art openings on offer across London:

A snow storm in Aberdeenshire - one of many stunning landscapes. Copyright Fortunato Gatto

Landscape Photographer of the Year at Waterloo station
This annual stalwart has moved from the National Theatre to the mezzanine of Waterloo station. The new location isn't ideal as the quality of display is lower and the cold temperature means few people are inclined to linger. Despite this, there are still some stunning images on display, though not as strong a showing as last year. Until 31 January. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Maggi Hambling: Walls of Water at National Gallery
These abstract paintings create the illusion of powerful waves with hypnotic swirls, and is a contemporary take on the Peder Balke exhibition at the gallery. Hambling's strength lies in the works where colour is used sparingly, conveying the power of turbulent crashing waves. Until 15 February. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Bloomberg New Contemporaries at ICA
This exhibition of emerging artists has had two woeful years but makes a stronger showing this year, with the artists using more traditional mediums being the ones who shine. However, there is still room for improvement and the over-reliance on inaccessible video works is a let down. Until 25 January. £1, free on Tuesdays.

Londonist Rating: ★★☆☆☆

A whole load of neon by coneptual artist Joseph Kusuth. Copyright the artist & Spruth Magers.

Joseph Kusuth at Sprüth Magers
One of the pioneers of conceptual art brings together his neon works from across the last 40 years. As is always the way with Kusuth, it has elements that feel impenetrable and can be heavy going. Until 14 February. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Giles Walker at Gallery 223
This macabre exhibition is located in the atmospheric space of a railway arch near Waterloo station. The centrepiece is an animatronic ship's dining table that is creepy and features Walker's signature men with bird skulls for heads. The voice over and fog machines make for quite the experience and it's only on for another week. 11-14 December. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Henry Hudson at TJ Boulting
This fantastic plasticine painter is back with new works, this time inspired by Impressionism. The darker pieces don't always work but the texture on one of the landscapes is amazing. Until 24 January. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

'Seisa', a palm cockatoo posing for its portrait. Copyright Leila Jeffreys.

Leila Jeffreys at Purdy Hicks
Portraits of different species of owls and cockatoos, revealing their personalities — what's not to like? Until 10 January. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

Wood at Rosenfeld Porcini
This group show along the theme of wood includes covering half the ground floor with sand but the strongest showing is downstairs, where Leonardo Drew has created delicate sculptures from charred tree trunks and branches. Until 31 January. Free.

Londonist Rating: ★★★☆☆

For more art to see in London, check out our top 10 art exhibitions for December.

Last Updated 08 December 2014