Five things to do and see this August
August has arrived – and come rain or shine we’ve plenty on the agenda this month. From an Italian menu that will transport you to the Mediterranean coast to an exhibition celebrating contemporary African photography, here are five shows, suppers and soirees not to be missed.
George Rouy: ‘Body Suits’ at Hannah Barry
For those unfamiliar, George Rouy is an artist painting haunting, human-like figures that are hard to forget. His subversive subject matter won him a legion of followers after he graduated from Camberwell College of Art in 2015, back when his work typically depicted smooth, jelly-like forms in punchy pinks and reds. Over the years, however, his style evolved and today he’s better known for creating blurred bodies with hazy faces in a riot of colours, which you can see for yourself at his latest exhibition, ‘Body Suits’, hosted by gallerist Hannah Barry in Peckham, south-east London.
Featuring 10 large-scale works, the show explores both the lived experience and a world of imagination – Rouy’s ambiguous figures are distorted and dismantled but dreamy. Right now, we’re particularly enjoying the paintings that feel somewhat summery and can be perceived as people by the sea, particularly one of three fleshy nudes against a backdrop of blue. But to hear George unpack his paintings himself, join him for a walkthrough and an evening of conversation on 1 September at 6.30pm. The exhibition, meanwhile, runs until 9 September 2023 and is free to attend.
‘Body Suits’ by George Rouy. Installation view at Hannah Barry Gallery, 2023 © Damian Griffiths
Enjoy an ode to Italy at Luca
Is there anything better than Italy in summer? We love its chic cities, postcard-perfect lakes and glorious seaside towns alike – all of which make beautiful backdrops for an aperitivo or two. But perhaps most of all, we love its food. If, like us, you’re longing for a taste of Italy, then you’ll be delighted to hear about the launch of a limited-edition menu at Luca in Clerkenwell, which is inspired by dishes from the country’s coastal regions.
Created by head chef Robert Chambers – the brains behind the restaurant’s signature parmesan fries – the five-course menu is a love letter to Italian holidays. You can expect, then, to devour dishes such as burrata with vesuvio tomato, white peach, shaved fennel and sfincione; pistachio pesto tortellini with smoked ricotta and Italian beans; and rum baba with Kentish strawberries and mascarpone ice cream for dessert. And it wouldn’t be an Italian feast without a spritz to start – we’ll be ordering the namesake special, featuring dry vermouth, pear, blood orange and prosecco. A tip: request a table on the sun-dappled terrace for dinner alfresco. Buon appetito!
The Ferragosto menu costs £85 per person and runs 1-26 August 2023. Bookings can be made here.
‘A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography’ and Common Ground at Tate Modern
If you’ve yet to make it to Tate Modern’s new exhibition, we recommend you add it to your diaries stat. ‘A World in Common’, curated by Osei Bonsu, brings together 150 pieces by 36 African artists from different generations and geographies in celebration of the talent coming out of the continent today. From a fine portrait of a king by Kudzanai Chiurai to a glorious shot of student nurses by Ruth Ginika Ossai, the images and films collectively touch on themes such as cultural heritage, spirituality and urbanisation, among others, while reimaging Africa’s diverse narratives in the process.
But that’s not the only reason to head to the Southwark gallery this month. While you’re there be sure to check out Common Ground, a new communal space on the second floor designed by Ronan Mckenzie and inspired by ‘A World in Common’. Having visited the photographer and gallerist both at home and in her own arts studio, we can attest that she’s got quite the space-making skills. Here she’s honed her curatorial eye to create an inviting (and free) place for people to gather, relax, read and study. Common Ground has been beautifully furnished with seating and a library – featuring reference books handpicked by Ronan and Osei – while a bespoke tracklist by south London-based collective Touching Bass will play overhead. Sign us up.
‘A World in Common’ and Common Ground are both open until 14 January.
Photography: Ruth Ossai, Student nurses Alfrah, Adabesi, Odah, Uzoma, Abor and Aniagolum. Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria, 2018 © Ruth Ginika Ossai
Celebrate 10 years of Smokestak
As the founder of Smokestak, David Carter has spent a decade building a business that’s become one of London’s best-loved barbecue joints. It began with the chef serving meaty meals from a food truck both on the festival circuit and from Dalston Yard, before he opened his Shoreditch restaurant in 2016. From charred pork-belly ribs to crispy ox cheek and beef-brisket buns, which are served with tangy slaws and hispi cabbage, his menu has always championed slow-smoked meats and quality produce.
And what better way to celebrate Smokestak turning 10 than by paying homage to its humble beginnings? On 19 August, David will be hosting a street-food festival from Sclater Street car park, opposite the restaurant, for which he’s importing four wood-burning smokers to cook Smokestak classics on. There will also be one-off specials to devour, made in collaboration with guest chefs he’s worked with over the years, including Joshua Moroney of Cue Point and Elliot Cunningham of Eld Pizza. Oh, and there are also live DJs and cocktails to boot, while 40 Ft Brewery has created a Smokestak beer especially for the event. Cheers to that.
Book tickets here.
‘Inventing The Rest: New Adventures in Clay’ at Maximillian William
Is clay having a moment? From ‘Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art’ at the Southbank Centre to ‘Gabriel Chaile’ at Studio Voltaire, some of the most captivating exhibitions in recent times would have us believe so. And now, there’s another show to add to the list: ‘Inventing The Rest: New Adventures in Clay’: a group exhibition at Maximillian William in Fitzrovia. It’s the third in a series of presentations at the gallery that has been highlighting the cultural importance of the material over the past few years.
This exhibition focuses on the work of three contemporary artists: Adebunmi Gbadebo, Anina Major and Andrés Monzón-Aguirre. As a trio, they are united by the way in which they draw inspiration from their cultures and heritages. Bahamian Anina’s woven stoneware nods to the plaited straw baskets made by locals on the island she calls home; American Adebunmi combines clay with animal bones found in the True Blue Cemetery, South Carolina, to create his vessels; Colombian Andrés looks to Latin American history and popular culture when creating his animalistic sculptures. But while each artist’s work varies greatly from the others’, the pieces sit harmoniously together, all questioning the significance of clay in their own ways.
‘Inventing The Rest: New Adventures in Clay’ runs until 14 September.
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