The Frida exhibition at Tate pre-sold tens of thousands of tickets before it opened. But why are we so obsessed with Frida? Read more about why in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic: https://londonisturbanpalette.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-frida #LondonArtCritic #FridaKhalo

There have been a few incidents when right-wing media and politicians have come for artists. I discuss this topic in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic, and we’re likely to see more of this >> https://londonisturbanpalette.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-frida #LondonArtCritic

What do you think of this giant Messi statue that’s been unveiled? From this to Cristiano Ronaldo's, why are sculptures of footballers so bad? I try to answer this in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic: https://londonisturbanpalette.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-frida

These works explore the concept of sacred geometry, in which specific shapes carry hidden meanings. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Jonathan Kelly: 37 degrees / when the gods have left is at Ione & Mann until 18th July. Free to visit: https://buff.ly/iHA49Sv #LondonArtCritic

What is digital colonialism and why does it matter? It’s a key topic that Sabrina Tirvengadum explores in her excellent exhibition at Space Studios in Ilford (until 10th October, free). Read more about this exhibition in my Diary of a London Art Critic: https://buff.ly/LsLQMTI #LondonArtCritic

One of my #TopPicks for Londonist, Homelands Lost at P21 Gallery (now closed) featured Alan Gignoux's portraits of Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 and their descendants, shown alongside images of their former homes inside Israel. Read more: buff.ly/xU8qkW8 #LondonArtCritic #LondonExhibitions

Congratulations to all the artists accepted into the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2026 @ National Portrait Gallery (until 7th Oct, free).  1. Doris Rose & her self-portrait 2. Louise Pragnell & her portrait of Pops Mensah-Bonsu  3. Frances Featherstone 4. The winner by Marc Dalessio

Inspired by sheep in Scotland, Melissa Joseph has created works made from their wool; paired with Max Bainbridge’s sculpture. In my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Melissa Joseph: Heft & Max Bainbridge: A Thin Place is on at Sim Smith until 18th July. Free to visit >> buff.ly/ypJX8fs

This group show brings together work by five women artists of Sudanese heritage. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Of Roots and Routes is on show at Almas Art Foundation until 18th July. Free to visit >> buff.ly/ypJX8fs #LondonArtCritic

Swirling sculptures made of corten steel by Dutch artist Pieter Obels meet the contemplative, colourful, abstract landscapes of Feng Xiao-Min. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy , Pieter Obels | Feng Xiao-Min is at Opera Gallery until 12th July. Free to visit: buff.ly/iHA49Sv

I've always been a fan of Emily Allchurch’s art, which uses photography and digital collage to create meticulously detailed scenes that reference art history & the changing landscape in the UK. I spoke to her about newest series for Londonist >> buff.ly/R22SSrH #LondonArtCritic #Interview

These images of forests printed on linen canvases have an otherworldly feel... One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Justin Brice Guariglia: Agentic Forests is on show at Flowers until 11th July. Free to visit: buff.ly/iHA49Sv #LondonArtCritic #LondonExhibitions

Sculpture, film and printmaking all come together within the theme of how water sustains us, connects us and changes the landscape. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Suzie Olczak: To Tide You Over is on at Coleman Project Space until 12th July. Free to visit >> buff.ly/ypJX8fs

Yinka Ilori has brought his colourful work indoors, with a riot of colour in his paintings, prints & instruments. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy >> Yinka Ilori – Joy Through Resistance: He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best is at Cristea Roberts until 11th July, free: buff.ly/iHA49Sv

For a helping of Japanese photography, the Photographers' Gallery tells the country's story through the eyes of women. One of my #TopPicks for Londonist, Japanese Women Photographers: From 1950s to Now is on at The Photographers' Gallery until 27th Sept, ticketed >> buff.ly/qVh7OQD #LondonArtCritic

It looks like a couple is asleep in the middle of the gallery, but something is not right... One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Patricia Piccinini: Holding Tight and Letting Go is on show at Ames Yavuz until 11th July. Free to visit: buff.ly/iHA49Sv #LondonArtCritic #LondonArt

The surreal paintings. The fantastic outfits. That famous monobrow. One of my #TopPicks for Londonist, Frida: The Making of an Icon is on show at Tate Modern until 3rd January 2027, ticketed at £25 >> buff.ly/qVh7OQD #LondonArtCritic #FridaKahlo

I’m ashamed to say I’d never been on board Cutty Sark until recently, when I was invited to the Art Fund museum of the year awards ceremony. Congratulations to the winners The Box Plymouth, and to all the shortlisted finalists - Norwich Castle, The Fitzwilliam Museum, National Gallery & V&A East.

The Tanks also has a subtle and beautifully curated display of Giacometti sculptures that has had barely any press attention (until 7th February 2027, free), largely because Tate hasn’t told anyone about it... Read more about it in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic >> https://buff.ly/geCQlEy

It’s tough for galleries & museums to make money, but is an official timepiece what the Serpentine Pavilion needs? Plus, they definitely could have done a better job of integrating it than this. Read more in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic >> https://buff.ly/geCQlEy #LondonArtCritic

This year’s Infinities Commission at Tate Modern has been awarded to Nora Chipaumire (until 23rd August, free), and it feels like the best iteration yet. Read more in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic via Londonist >> https://buff.ly/geCQlEy #LondonArtCritic

Glenn Brown collects historical & contemporary artworks, displaying them with his own works at the Brown Collection; a new collection shows works by figures you may not have heard of. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy, Hoi Polloi is on until 8th Aug, free: https://buff.ly/2JoAp9i

There’s a fun new mini-golf course at Battersea Arts Centre (until 26th July, ticketed), where all nine holes are designed by artists. But did you know that mini golf has a surprisingly political history? Read more in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic via Londonist: https://buff.ly/geCQlEy

Tate Modern has opened a Julio Le Parc exhibition (until 3rd May, ticketed), & it’s fantastic. He died just before it opened, & it made me ask why so many artists die before their exhibitions open. Read more in my latest Diary of a London Art Critic >> https://buff.ly/geCQlEy #LondonArtCritic

I sat down with Ashley Cluer to talk about making the world’s first evoZero sculpture for this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week, and her wider practice - including public work in Canary Wharf. Read my full interview via @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy >> buff.ly/DRksUeF #Sculpture #LondonArtCritic

Ever come across biopiracy? It’s the extraction of biological resources without permission... One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Adrian Balseca: The Voyage is on show at 92 Webster Road until 5th July. Free to visit >> buff.ly/ypJX8fs #LondonArtCritic

Anish Kapoor has always pushed the boundaries of what sculpture can be & make you feel. One of my #TopPicks for Londonist, Anish Kapoor is on show at Hayward Gallery until 18th October, ticketed at £22 >> www.londonist.com/london/museums-and-galleries/the-top-exhibitions-to-see-in-london-june-2026

These are brilliant paintings - the key motif is that we never see the sitter’s expression or emotions. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Wang Pei: Sertraline is on show at Workplace until 4th July. Free to visit: https://buff.ly/rrooia8 #LondonArtCritic #LondonExhibitions

The style of Barbara Hepworth is instantly recognisable. Many of her works keep the natural tones of her materials; Courtauld shows us how colour also played a part in her practice. One of my #TopPicks for Londonist, Hepworth in Colour is on show until 6th Sept, ticketed at £18: buff.ly/wr7hb8L

Isabelle Young focuses on the quiet corners of Venice - the perfect antidote to the chaos of the Venice Biennale. One of my #TopPicks for @fadmagazine.com.web.brid.gy - Isabelle Young | Venice As I Was is on show at Canopy Collections until 3rd July. Free to visit >> buff.ly/rrooia8 #LondonArtCritic