Mayfair has a strong run of gallery shows this autumn, and FAD Magazine's art critic Tabish Khan has chosen five across Mayfair and neighbouring St James's that can be seen on one walk. Here is what he picked, with closing dates as given by FAD.
A survey of still life
This exhibition traces the evolution of still life, from a lamb with its legs tied together painted by Francisco de Zurbarán to a neon skull by Andy Warhol. Seventeenth-century paintings of fruit, food and drink hang alongside Philip Guston's pink rocks and works by Picasso. Khan calls it a collection that highlights the diversity within the genre. Until 18th December.
Water and scarcity
In this show, the outlines of countries are shrunk to show how much water they consume relative to the water they have access to. Elsewhere, electrical wires connect a map of the world, prompting thoughts about those lines as connectors and about how AI is exacerbating the global water shortage. Until 19th December. FAD credits the image to Richard Saltoun Gallery and the artist Reena Kallat.
Paul Pfeiffer on bullfighting
Paul Pfeiffer has long been interested in the ritual that surrounds a sport. In his take on bullfighting, very little of the bull is seen. The camera instead turns to close-ups of the crowd, the fighter's movements, the applause and the fanfare. Khan says this ritual element helps explain why the blood sport still exists. Until 19th December. FAD credits the image to Thomas Dane Gallery.
Erica Brausen and the Hanover Gallery
Erica Brausen founded the Hanover Gallery in Mayfair. She was the first gallerist to establish Francis Bacon's career and worked with several artists now cemented in art history. Ordovas has assembled works by Bacon, Lucien Freud and Giacometti, among others, and has adopted the name of the Hanover Gallery for the duration of the exhibition. Until 11th December.
Hubert le Gall at Cuturi, St James's
Cuturi is a new addition to what Khan describes as a burgeoning gallery scene in St James's. Hubert le Gall is an artist who sits at the intersection of design and art, drawing inspiration from the natural world. The show includes a mirror surrounded by coloured fur, flower heads made into a table, and a snake that has swallowed a cube stool. Khan calls it playful, fun and eye-catching. Until 9th January.
Photo: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph.
