South African artists doing interesting things in London
The South African | Caryn Edwards
Art Now: Lisa Brice – Until 27 August 2018
Tate Britain is hosting an exhibition by South African-born, London-based artist Lisa Brice. On show at Tate for the first time, Brice’s work includes large-scale new and recent paintings, which address the longstanding art-historical tradition of the female nude. Shown alongside sketches, drawings and studies, her paintings recast female subjects from art historical paintings, photographs and the media into new environments, imbuing them with a newfound sense of self-possession. This is the latest in Tate Britain’s ongoing Art Now series of free exhibitions showcasing emerging talent and highlighting the latest developments in British art. Born in South Africa in 1968, Lisa Brice is now based in London, while maintaining strong ties to Trinidad. She studied at Michaelis School of Fine Art, UCT where she majored in painting. Her first solo exhibition was held in 1993 and has exhibited solo shows in South Africa, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom and the United States.
Liam: William Martin – Until 17 June 2018
The Smallest Gallery in Soho is delighted to present a new installation by master ceramicist William Martin. ‘Liam’ is a domestic scene, recreating the sitting room of a Soho resident who is being evicted. Martin’s ceramics and textiles transform the white cube of the gallery into a narrative installation, complete with Georgian Furniture, books, cigars and the other detritus of a life fully lived. “Have you seen Liam? He must leave his place in two months. The council has sold the building to a property developer and he is being forced out of his Soho home he has lived in for the past 30 years. Liam is around 5’10”, in his 50s, grey hair, dresses well, a massive ceramics collector and his partner is worried about him because he has left without taking his medication. Do get in contact with us if you see him.” The Smallest Gallery in Soho is a Georgian shop-front which faces onto Dean Street, in the heart of Soho. This space has been nurtured by curators Philip Levine and Andreia Costa, and Moira Rizopoulos. South African-born Martin has exhibited in the UK, New York and South Africa. At 21, Martin was selected as one of 100 artists to participate in the South African Biennial, Spier Contemporary 2011. He then came to London to continue his studies in Modern and Contemporary Art History at Christie’s Education. Martin was selected for a year-long residency at the Florence Trust in Highbury and is currently based in Peckham Rye, where he has studios in the Bussey Building and the Kiln Rooms. With a Focus on installation, Martin’s work explores themes of absence, masculinity, and colonial history.
Image: Lisa Brice (b.1968) Between This and That 2017 Synthetic tempera (‘Flashe’), gesso, and ink on canvas 1980 x 2440 mm Private Collection, München, Germany