The exhibitions and events we're looking forward to this month
After months of being unable to go anywhere more exciting than the sitting room, the fact that we will soon be able to take in an exhibition, or visit those much-missed interiors of our favourite restaurants, is filling us with hope. With many outdoor venues already open, there's plenty to do, and much more to follow from May 17. Here's our cultural to-do list for the next month, as chosen by the House & Garden team.
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1/16Exhibitions
Shara Hughes, The Garden Museum
17th May - 5th June
NewYork-based artist Shara Hughes will be exhibiting her collection of large-scale artworks at the Garden Museum, SE1, this May, featuring new site-specific paintings and works on paper, with flowers from the umbrella orchid to poppies at the centre of the works.
David Hockney, No. 259, 24th April 2020
iPad painting
© David Hockney2/16David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, The Royal Academy
23rd May- 26th September
During the pandemic David Hockney has been holed up at his Normandy farmhouse, where he decided to capture winter's transition into spring with regular drawings on his iPad. This new exhibition will showcase the 116 works which he produced, each of which was ‘painted’ on the iPad and then printed on paper. The series is designed to remind us of the importance and reliability of nature during a time when all else was uncertain.
3/16RE Original prints 2021, Bankside Gallery
28th April- 13th June
This annual exhibition has moved online, and will showcase original prints from the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, and will be the first time that many newly elected members to the society will be showing their works. Though the exhibition began online, Bankside Gallery is preparing to reopen and display the artworks in the gallery on May 17. Amongst the many exhibitors are Jim Anderson, Melanie Bellis, and Richard Bawden. The works will also be for sale.
4/16Chintz: Cotton in Bloom, Fashion and Textile Museum
18th May-15th August
In celebration of chintz, and the craftsmanship involved in fixing bright dyes to cotton, this exhibition will showcase centuries worth of sartorial excellence, with pieces from all over the world. With some 150 pieces on display, from mittens to wall hangings and from extravagant 18th-century sun hats to stylish mourning dresses, the exhibition is a delightful homage to a much-loved fabric.
Michael Armitage, The Chicken Thief, 2019. Oil on Lubugo bark cloth, 200 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and White Cube © Michael Armitage. Photo: © White Cube (Theo Christelis)5/16Michael Armitage: Paradise Edict, The Royal Academy
22nd May- 19th September
Kenyan-born painter Michael Armitage works between Nairobi and London. Known for his distinctive paintings made using Lubugo bark cloth, Armitage takes inspiration from many influential 19th-century artists such as Manet and Gaugin to explore East African culture and folklore. This latest collection of 15 large-scale paintings explores East African landscapes, politics and society.
6/16The Making of Rodin, Tate Modern
8th May- 21st November
In collaboration with the Musée Rodin, this major exhibition is focusing on the 20th-century sculptor's often forgotten use of plaster. While Rodin is usually known for his human figures in bronze and marble, this exhibition will showcase 200 plaster works by the esteemed sculptor, many of which have never been seen outside France.
Josh Shinner7/16Idris Khan: The Seasons Turn, Victoria Miro
13th April–15th May 2021
The multi-media artist will be exhibiting 28 works of watercolour and oil collaged works on paper that incorporate parts of the score of Vivaldi’s famous ‘Four Seasons’ composition. The evocative works, which are conceived as two distinct installations, demonstrate the artist's response to 2020.
Andy Stagg8/16Yinka Ilori, Greenwich Peninsula
12th June - 19th September
This summer, the celebrated London-based multimedia artist Yinka Ilori has been commissioned to transform Tide Square, with his latest immersive installation,Promise me memories and I will let you in. The playscapes provide an inviting backdrop for a host of cultural activities presented by the Greenwich Peninsula, such as open-air live music, film screenings and talks, all of which are open to the public.
Dean Hearne9/16On Form Sculpture, Asthall Manor
2nd-31st May 2021
The UK's only exhibition dedicated exclusively to stone sculpture, this exhibition takes place in the historic and celebrated Asthall Manor every other year. Enjoy works from a plethora of contemporary sculptors, including Emma Maiden, Nicolas Moreton and Ben Russell. Booking is essential.
10/16Eating and drinking
Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Pop-up, Ganton Street W1F
Good news on two fronts for fans of Imad Alarnab's Syrian cooking – he's back with not one space, but two. Ahead of his first permanent restaurant opening in Kingly Court – in the space formerly occupied by Asma's Khan Darjeeling Express – Imad is back with another pop up on Ganton Street, working once again to support Choose Love through the proceeds of his much-sought after falafel boxes.
imadssyriankitchen.co.uk
11/16Sussex Pass
Sitting within the popular and picturesque White Hart pub in Wadhurst village, Sussex Pass is a lovely spot for a fuelling stop before or after a scenic walk through the surrounding countryside. The restaurant serves local, seasonal food and does it with the lightest touch to allow the ingredients to shine.
12/16The Botanist Gin x Carousel series
18th-22nd May 2021
The Botanist Gin and Marylebone hotspot Carousel are once again teaming up to host a series of guest chef residencies, workshops and experiences. Celebrating diversity and the abundance of ingredients available from spring through to winter, chefs will be demonstrating their unique styles using seasonal ingredients. This May, Carousel will be hosting Alex Bond, head chef and owner of Alchemilla in Nottingham. Alex has created a bespoke tasting menu for his residency, featuring the freshest of ingredients, and each dish will be paired with a unique gin cocktail.For more information, or to buy tickets, visit carousel-london.com
13/16Gardens to visit
Bring Into Being, Chiswick House & Gardens, London
27th May - 31st October
The famed heritage site Chiswick House & Gardens has commissioned three site-specific art installations by Turner Prize winning artist Mark Wallinger, acclaimed Ghanaian-British electronic musician and sound artist Peter Adjaye and a durational installation by Jaimini Patel. Establishing itself as a cultural hotspot, the 18th-century manor house will now be offering a cultural programme which boasts a host of contemporary artist commissions, events and activities.
Jason Ingram14/16The Hepworth Wakefield Online Spring Flower Festival, West Yorkshire
19th April- 2nd May
The Hepworth Wakefield garden is an inspiring, free public space which can offer a much needed change of scene from one's own house. Planted by Tom Stuart Smith, the garden contains over 14,000 herbaceous perennials. This spring, for their online flower festival, the Hepworth Wakefield is hosting a series of talks by some of the gardening industry’s most influential figures. Listen to Isobel Denton, Jason Ingram and Tom Stuart Smith, to name a few. A calendar of events designed to inspire and delight, and certainly not one to be missed.
Mark Winwood15/16RHS Gardens Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Harlow Carr
The Royal Horticultural Society Gardens are amongst the UK’s greatest public gardens. With many being closed over the last year, it is with great joy that the RHS have announced the opening of Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor and Harlow Carr. Though pre-booking is essential, guests can now enjoy the delightful landscape architecture and become inspired by the planting.
16/16Antiques
Kempton Market
The Sunbury Antiques Market, often known as Kempton, is a wonderful one stop shop for some of the best antique furniture and textiles in the UK. Though they are now operating a mainly outdoor event, the Silver Ring Building is now open. All Kempton events are held every second and last Tuesday of each month and admission is from 6.30am onwards.
