David Blackburn: A Search for the Inexpressible, Messum’s, 28 Cork Street, London W1, until 11^th March 2016

GREY AUSTRALIA, pastel and collage, 1983, H 41 x W 37 cm (H 16 1⁄8 x W 14 5⁄8 in)

Although scenes in Australia and America are the subject of these somewhat abstract pastels the artist describes the way he depicts them as ‘a sort of visionary geometry’. I certainly feel that he also reflects his native Yorkshire in some of the wonderful colours he uses and it is quite understandable why he has such an international reputation.

SUMMER SUNLIGHT, pastel, 2003, H 65 x W 51 cm (H 25 5⁄8 x W 20 1⁄8 in)

www.messums.com

Gabo’s Monoprints: A Family Collection, Alan Cristea, 34 Cork Street, London W1, until 12^th March 2016

Naum Gabo
Opus Four (Family name – The Lyrebird), 1950
Monoprint in dark brown from a professionally made end-grain block.
Paper 22.9 x 15.3 cm / Image 15.9 x 13.7 cm
Inscribed For my dearly beloved daughter Nina Serafima on Her Seventeenth Birthday from her Father Gabo May 26th 1958
Courtesy Nina and Graham Williams and Alan Cristea Gallery, London

This is the first time that these prints made by the celebrated Russian sculptor Naum Gabo (1890 – 1977) have been seen publicly. He was persuaded at the age of sixty to make prints and the first – Opus 1 – is on a small circular piece of tissue. He used the same woodblock to make another print which he gave to his daughter Nina for her ninth birthday in May 1950.

Naum Gabo
Opus Eight, date unknown
Monoprint from block of Florida Boxwood.
Paper 30.2 x 23.8 cm
Courtesy Nina and Graham Williams and Alan Cristea Gallery, London

He went on to produce a serious body of woodcuts (Opus I – XXII) until his death. His daughter and her husband have particularly treasured those received as gifts and even given them special names.  This is a unique opportunity join them in their admiration of Gabo’s work.

http://www.alancristea.com

Boyd and Evans – Overland, Flowers, 21 Cork Street, London W1, until 12th March 2016

Boyd & Evans, Tonopah NV, 2015
(c) Boyd & Evans, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery London and New York

This show of works by Boyd & Evans of large-scale photographs continues their exploration of the wild landscapes of America’s south-west. It is almost a visual diary, one they have been working on since the 70’s.  These new works show signs of human occupation but with no human figures raising the question are they now abandoned or unused places?

Boyd & Evans, Benton Springs CA, 2015
(c) Boyd & Evans, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery London and New York

http://www.flowersgallery.com