Soheila Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel at The Curve, London

There are exhibitions that touch you somewhere deep inside. Far from merely delighting you visually, they grab you by the hand and they take you somewhere, they teach you something, they plant a new, curious seed inside of you. And they make you want to learn more so you can really understand and appreciate, rather than just look and admire. These are the shows that stay with you for a long time after you've seen them, and you keep revisiting them in your head, time and time again.

All of the above was true for me in the case of Soheila Sokhanvari's beautifully curated show at the The Curve, on the ground floor of the Barbican. Iran-born, Britain-based Sokhanvari reveals the untold stories of Iran's pre-revolutionary feminist icons - poets, writers, dancers, singers, actresses - bringing them back from erasure and returning them to the spotlight the belong in. The portraits are exquisite and intricate. Framed in colourful, hypnotising patterns oozing poignant symbolisms, the women appear defiant, bold, magnetic, vulnerable, mysterious, inspiring, forcefully life-affirming despite the sadness of their fate. These talented trailblazers all fought against the patriarchy in their own way, all were silenced by the totalitarian theocratic regime.

If you follow the artist's Instagram account, she will very generously tell you more about each of these women, bringing you even closer to them and helping you to understand why they should be celebrated. My favourite? The portrait of movie superstar Forouzan, the first image in this post, who after the 1979 revolution was banned from acting. I love how she's leaning forward, with such tremendous audacity and self-assuredness.

#soheilasokhanvari #rebelrebel #feministicons #iran #iranianwomen #femaleartist #portraits #figurativepainting #barbican #london #artblog #blog #beyondthecanvasblog

© Soheila Sokhanvari

Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at Tate Britain, London

In my mind, a portrait is the depiction of an actual person, someone who has lived. Their portrait was made so their story could be told and so we would know about them, learn about their life. But what happens if the painting, like in the case of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye's work, is of a fictional person, someone who only exists in the artist's imagination? Well, I guess perhaps that's the representation of humanity at large. It is none of us and all of us.

What I realised while looking at Yiadom-Boakye's stunning canvasses is not only that the absence of an identifiable sitter didn't matter, but that my experience as a viewer was being redefined. I was no longer being guided to look for clues and meaning, I was letting myself be drawn into a story of infinite possibilities.

Yiadom-Boakye is an astonishingly accomplished painter. Her strokes are thick and assured, loose yet deliberate in how much expression they manage to convey. Her use of colour is masterful, those dark backgrounds reminded me of Titian (but of course), and I couldn't help but see a touch of Alice Neel in the disarming honesty oozed by these personages. Yiadom-Boakye's world is one of intimate, knowing gazes and enigmatic silences. I was most enthralled by the paintings where the figures look away. In Lynette words: "I think they don't always want to give you everything."

At Tate Britain until February 26th. Do not miss this.

#lynetteyiadomboakye #painter #femaleartist #portraits #nonportraits #tatebritain #britishart #london #artblog #blog #blogger #artblogger #beyondthecanvasblog

© Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

Venini: Luce 1921-1985 at Le Stanze del Vetro, Venice

Writing a review of a show the day before it closes is probably nonsensical, not too mention a tad unfair. I must, however, pay tribute to Le Stanze del Vetro and their consistently superb programming. Nestled in a corner of the Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore, away from the hustle and bustle of San Marco (yes, even in January), this cultural foundation showcases the art of glass making in its many, wonderful forms of expression.

The exhibition Venini: Luce 1921-1985 celebrates what is perhaps the most iconic brand when it comes to vases, decorative objects and designer lighting. A household name in Italy, Venini enjoys global fame. And for very good reason.

Founded in 1921, built on tradition but always embracing the avantgarde, Venini has been crafting visionary objects of timeless beauty and iconic design. As I was walking through the stanze, I realised just how deeply their work has shaped my eye for aesthetics. Hotel lobbies, airports, banks, public spaces, sitting and dining rooms. Whenever I looked up and around me,,Venini was there.

#venini #glass #glassart #lighting #design #lestanzedelvetro #venice #blog #beyondthecanvasblog