Fresh Perspectives: Art That Challenges and Inspires

Catch these newly opened exhibitions that play with the boundaries of form and thought. Each one offers a fresh take on art's role in society, and you won't want to miss them while the buzz is still in the air.

Curated by EPIFANI

8 stops in London

1. Samuel Laurence Cunnane: Blue Road

   Hayward Gallery

   Samuel Laurence Cunnane's 'Blue Road' at Hayward Gallery uses photography to explore themes of navigation and experience. Look for the way he captures the interplay between the urban and the personal—it's a reflective journey that sets the stage for understanding space.

2. Klára Hosnedlová, Bermondsey

   White Cube

   Next door at White Cube, Klára Hosnedlová draws you into an immersive environment that plays with perception and optical illusions. Her pieces invite you to step closer and consider the relationship between the viewer and the artwork, which is a perfect counterpoint to Cunnane's explorative lens.

3. Wright of Derby: From the Shadows

   National Gallery

   At the National Gallery, 'Wright of Derby: From the Shadows' showcases the dramatic interplay of light in painting. Joseph Wright's works are not just stunning; they're a deep dive into enlightenment and discovery, enriching your understanding of how art mirrors societal progress.

4. If You Ever Leave Me I'm Coming With You

   Halcyon Gallery (Bond Street)

   In Mayfair, James McQueen's 'If You Ever Leave Me I'm Coming With You' critiques pop culture through bold, satirical works inspired by Penguin book covers. It's a playful yet sharp commentary that complements the more serious tones at the National Gallery.

5. Body as Thought

   Pace Gallery

   Lee Kun-Yong at Pace Gallery presents 'Body as Thought', merging performance with visual art. His archival pigment prints are striking, and his exploration of movement as an art form is a refreshing take that contrasts nicely with McQueen's static critiques.

6. WangShui, Bermondsey

   White Cube

   Returning to White Cube, WangShui’s 'Night Signal' further explores perception and reality with a focus on digital and virtual experiences. This show expands the conversation begun with Hosnedlová about how we engage with art in a digital age.

7. Paper Tiger Television

   Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)

   Goldsmiths CCA presents 'Paper Tiger Television', a historical overview of a radical video collective. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in media and its impact on culture, providing a historical context that resonates with the current exhibitions.

8. How We Hold: Rehearsals for Art and Social Change

   Serpentine Galleries

   'How We Hold' at Serpentine Galleries rounds off this circuit, bringing social activism into the fold. It's an engaging resource for those interested in how art can drive change and advocacy, linking back to the dialogue started with McQueen and Lee.