Right up at the top of our bucket list, weirdly mutual in case you were interested, are the East Asian areas, and we realised we weren’t the only ones interested in it…London is full of it at the moment. Here are pick of the top 5 exhibitions to explore the East Asian culture and art even further.
1. Miho Kajioka: Unfinished Spaces- Photographers Gallery. If Japanese fine art photography is your bag then this is the exhibition for you. She explores the essence of wabi-sabi and zen/Tao principles. This collection shows her return to art in 2011 when she was working as a journalist and saw the beauty of roses blooming next to destroyed buildings, and the work that sprung from this. Catch it until April 14th, Free entry.
2.Made in North Korea: Everyday graphics from the DPRK – House of Illustration. A collection of hundred of pieces of bits and bobs from North Korea, this exhibition showcases everything you didn’t know you wanted to know about North Korea. From their propagandist posters, to food packaging, ticket stumps to comics, it gives a real insight into everyday life in the DPRK. Catch it until May 13th, £8 full price ticket.
3. Isle of Dogs – Store X, 180 The Strand. A quaint exhibition celebrating the release of Wes Anderson’s new movie Isle of Dogs. Isle of Dogs tells the story of a corrupt mayor and his laws to expel all dogs to garbage tips, and the journey that they go on. This exhibition showcases some of the parts from the set of the movie (all filmed in East London), and a real life Ramen bar exactly like the one in the movie. Catch it until April 8th, Free entry.
4. Eskenazi Gallery – Clifford Street. The Eskenazi gallery is a purpose built building across 6 floors that shows (for sales) Chinese art, and only Chinese art. It is one of those places that I love looking around but hate being because everything is so expensive. They pride themselves on knowledge and being able to have the best Chinese art available on the market today, and have been sold pieces to museums for permanent and temporary exhibitions! Their last exhibition finished in November, but they are sure to have another soon, and in the meantime you can still go in and have a look at the rest of the art on show. Open always, free entry.
5. LeeBul: Wayward Wander – Hayward Gallery. This is the first major exhibition of South Korean Lee Bul’s work in London, and this one is part of the Hayward Gallery’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Lee Bul’s studio work is on show as well as some of her more disruptive immersive environment pieces, reflecting on her ideas of idealised Utopias and their failures. Open 30 May – 19 August, £13 full priced ticket.
