The must see dates for your diary across the globe this October

Date
1 October 2018

October is here and so are a million dates for your diary! With the autumn season fully in swing, art galleries have had their transitional refresh and no matter where you are across the globe or what creative discipline tickles your fancy, there is an exhibition for you this month. It’s also worth noting that Frieze takes over London’s fine art scene this week so head over here for all the information you’d need!

HOD: Akinola Davies Jr.
20 September — October 21 2018
Dupond Underground, Washington D.C

Akinola Davies Jr. is a Nigerian moving image artist based in London whose practice focuses around both community and inclusivity. From directing music videos for the likes of Blood Orange’s Charcoal Baby, to representing Nigerian youth in his latest fashion film in collaboration with Kenzo, his work explores themes of race, identity, gender and inclusion as he aims to bridge the gap between traditional and millennial communities. 

His first American solo exhibition, presented by Sketchedspace, at Dupont Underground in Washington D.C. weaves a narrative of reclamation through displaced African artefacts in Western Europe and the energies in the places they come to inhabit and leave behind. Through this Akinola looks to pay homage to our shared histories and use this as a springboard to discuss our collective present and future. 

Art Now: Jesse Darling The Ballad of Saint Jerome
22 September — 24 February 2019
Tate Britain, London

Jesse Darling’s sculptures, drawings and objects explore identity through gender, sexuality, disability, love and companionship. In her exhibition The Ballad of Saint Jerome at the Tate Britain, Jesse revisits the story of this saint, who according to popular legend, was confronted by a ferocious lion. In place of reacting with fear and violence, he recognised the animal was injured and removed a thorn from the lion’s paw and the two became life long companions. 

Jesse’s exhibition, as such, features works made from everyday objects and materials which take on the appearance of shapes both wounded and liberated. From cabinets of curiosity trying to make an escape on bent legs to contorted mobility canes becoming animated snakes, the exhibition raises themes of power, control and captivity as well as healing. 

Yuko Mohri: Same As It Ever Was
29 September— 3 November 2018
Project Fulfill Art Space, Taipei

In Yuko Mohri’s solo exhibition a central piece of work, _Moré Moré Variations_ incorporates found objects bought and collected by the artist in Taipei, such as water buckets, plastic hoses, kettle, swimming fins, glass flask and water pump, composed into a suspended installation. Across the space, Yuko’s ingenious use of simple physical forces allows water to freely flow in a continuous cycle, forming its own self-sustaining system.

Forests and Spirits; Figurative art from the Khatorum School
28 September — 25 November 2018
Salon, Saatchi Gallery, London

Conceived by Roubi L’Roubi, curator of the Foundation Gallery, and Philippa Adams, Saatchi Gallery’s Director, Forests and Spirits seeks to bring wider attention to contemporary African art, and in particular the enduring influence of the Khartoum School.

Formed in the 1960s, the Khartoum School was an art movement centred around the city’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, the institution which has itself been pivotal in the development of contemporary art in Africa. Ishaq and El-Salahi, are among its founders, while Elmur was a pupil in the 1980s when Ishaq, a former graduate, was head of painting. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat
3 October 2018— 14 January 2019
Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris

Following on from the stellar Basquiat show at the Barbican in London, the work of the artist will be transported to Paris this October as the work of one of the world’s most significant painters covers the walls of four floors of Frank Gehry’s building.

Covering the artist’s entire career from 1980 — 88 in the space, the artist titled exhibition features 120 defining works by Basquiat including his collaborations with Andy Warhol and several works never before exhibited in Europe.

Yayoi Kusama: The Moving Moment When I Went To The Universe
3 October — 21 December 2018
Victoria Miro, London

Already a show that everyone has nabbed free (!) tickets for, Yayoi Kusama’s latest exhibition The Moving Moment When I Went To The Universe opens this October through to Christmas. Including new paintings, works from the artist’s iconic My Eternal Soul series, her infamous bronze pumpkin and flower sculptures and a large-scale Infinity Mirror Room, the show, Kusama’s 12th at Victoria Miro, and is not to be missed.

Tara Deacon: I Am Here
4 October — 20 November 2018
Do Design, Madrid

South African illustrator Tara Deacon brings her sweetly illustrated paintings to Madrid this October, travelling her works from her home in Berlin to be presented at Do Design in the Spanish city. With Tara’s depictions of everyday objects scattered objects transformed by gouache I Am Here is an exhibition to wander around and soak up Tara’s drawings of everyday optimism.

Kahlil Joseph, John Akomfrah and Pipilotti Rist: Strange Days: Memories of the Future
2 October — 9 December 2018
180 The Strand, London

Curated by Massimilano Gioni, in collaboration with The Vinyl Factory, Strange Days: Memories of the Future brings together 21 acclaimed artist and filmmakers displaying works shown during ten years at the New Museum. Featuring the works of Kahlil Joseph, John Akomfrah, Camille Henrot and many more, the moving image-based show showcases an exciting group of artists working in the medium which weave together “reportage and lyricism,” explains the gallery, “the works on view blend images and sound in polyphonic, dreamlike compositions.”

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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