The summer of art has finally landed in London, bringing with it a whirlwind of creativity that will leave you breathless! From the darker corners of Victorian madness to the vast expanse of the digital universe, this season's exhibitions are set to blow your mind. And leading the charge is the Royal Academy, which from 25 July will unleash 'Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam' upon the world.
This show is a real game-changer – a chance to delve into the twisted visions of one of Britain's most enigmatic artists. You'll get up close and personal with Dadd's unsettling creatures and dreamlike landscapes, including works created both before and during his confinement in Bedlam. The results are nothing short of breathtaking – like stumbling upon a secret world hidden deep within your own subconscious.
But it's not all about the dark arts – the Seventeen Gallery is also serving up a slice of intergalactic intrigue with 'Autopsy', an exhibition that puts UFOs and aliens under the spotlight. Featuring works by the likes of Paul McCarthy and Chino Moya, this show is a timely reflection on how technology influences our perception of reality and the elusive truth behind unexplained phenomena.
For a more laid-back experience, head to Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery for 'Clare Woods: Garden Without Seasons', opening on 29 July. This exhibition is like a breath of fresh air – new pastoral paintings that invite you to contemplate the beauty of nature through Woods' distinctive lens. It's the perfect antidote to the more intense offerings elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Dovecot Studios continues to showcase 'Elizabeth Blackadder: A Life in Colour', presenting an incredible array of tapestries, paintings and drawings by one of Scotland's most celebrated artists – a must-see for anyone who loves colour and texture. And just down the road from London, the Richard Saltoun Gallery is exhibiting dreamlike images across various media by Felicity Powell, an artist whose life was tragically cut short in 2015.
Last but not least, the National Gallery continues to display Vincent van Gogh's 'Head of a Peasant Woman', painted around 1884. This powerful image serves as a poignant reminder of Van Gogh's early commitment to art as a social vocation – depicting the harsh realities of rural poverty in the Netherlands with an authenticity that still moves us today.