Tate Modern, London
26th September 2008 - 1st February 2009
summary: visited for education rather than admiration - grand in the manner of standing stones, not high art. highlight: 'Black Forms' collection, probably; and 'Seagram murals' if only for the sheer quantity of blood red.
FRANCIS BACON
Tate Britain, London
11th September 2008 - 4th January 2009
summary: a fascinating walk through one man's highly singular artistic vision of distortion, love and captivity. highlight: 'Study after Velazquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X' is the most tense and dramatic silent scream.
SPENCER TUNICK - EXPLORATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE
Hales Gallery, London
5th Sepember 2008 - 4th October 2008
summary: eight large mounted works by the world's most successful photographer of naked people en masse. highlight: 'Netherlands 8 (Dream Amsterdam Foundation), 2007' - a beautiful arc, apparently without support.
SUMMER EXHIBITION 2008
Royal Academy of Arts, London
9th June 2008 - 17th August 2008
summary: one of the better recent Summer Exhibitions on balance, with something of quality in every room. highlight: five etchings by Norman Ackroyd; oil paintings by Michael Debono, Fred Schley; Jeff Koons's egg.
