London's cultural scene offers a compelling mix of historical treasures and contemporary reflections this January. From the captivating heritage of Hawaii at the British Museum to the intimate photographic diaries of Nan Goldin and a thought-provoking sculpture by Joseph Beuys, the capital's galleries are hosting a diverse array of must-see exhibitions.
Exhibition Highlights: From the Pacific to Personal Diaries
The British Museum's major new exhibition, 'Hawai‘i', opens on 15 January and runs until 25 May. Created in close collaboration with community leaders and artists from Hawaii, the show presents some of the museum's most spectacular masterpieces. Visitors can expect to see rare feathered war helmets and striking god figures, many originally collected during Captain Cook's voyages, offering an entrancing insight into island life and artistry.
For a deep dive into raw, personal narrative, Gagosian on Davies Street presents a complete display of Nan Goldin's seminal photobook, 'The Ballad of Sexual Dependency', from 13 January to 21 March. This powerful collection lays bare themes of love, dependency, and desperation through Goldin's unflinching lens.
Meanwhile, at the Thaddaeus Ropac gallery, a simple domestic object is transformed into a profound statement. Joseph Beuys's bathtub sculpture, on view from 13 January to 21 March, resonates with the violence and tragedy of 20th-century German history, challenging viewers to see beyond the ordinary.
Architectural Innovation and Artistic Legacy
Beyond the gallery walls, a small architectural project on the Victoria Embankment is making a big statement about public design. Newly upgraded public conveniences, inspired by Tokyo's successful toilet project, were created with the belief that good architecture genuinely improves daily life. The hope is that this marks the start of a UK-wide revolution in designing beautiful, safe, and accessible public facilities.
This week also brought fascinating art world insights. A French charity raffle is offering a €1 million Picasso portrait for just €100 a ticket, and a Parisian museum received an astonishing donation of over 60 works by Henri Matisse. In a historical footnote, it was revealed that legendary musician Fela Kuti believed marijuana opened the artist's mind.
Masterpiece Focus: A Chilly Dutch Winter
Our masterpiece of the week shifts the mood to a quieter, more melancholic tone. Esaias van de Velde's 'A Winter Landscape' (1623), held at the National Gallery in London, departs from the typical jolly scenes of Dutch winter art. Instead of festive ice fairs, it portrays a bleak, biting afternoon with isolated figures trudging along an icy road. The painting's eerie, twisted trees and dispirited atmosphere evoke a modern sadness, foreshadowing the emotional landscapes of later artists like Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch.
Other notable shows include graphic works by American modernist Georgia O'Keeffe at the Gerald Moore Gallery (15 Jan - 14 Feb) and an immersive, multisensory journey into the life of a tree by the collective Marshmallow Laser Feast at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (until 15 March).
