The Easel

21st May 2024

The controversial photographs that skewer British peculiarities

Deborah Nicholls-Lee | bbc.com | 13th May 2024

For all of the acclaim that Parr receives, the criticisms of him persist. Some call him a snob and think his images are a form of sneering about the British. One critic accuses him of “smash and grab photography”, for not working closely with communities where he is photographing. Most critics are more lenient, thinking that Parr celebrates British quirkiness and pragmatism. Parr’s own defence – “one can learn much more about the country where you live from a comedian than from a conference of sociologists,”

Yinka Shonibare CBE: Suspended States And Decolonialised Structures – Serpentine

Sue Hubbard | Artlyst | 21st April 2024

Perhaps, in art, there can be too much of a good thing. Shonibare has made a career out of using African patterns to decorate the symbols of British imperialism – especially statues of its acclaimed figures. It’s a deft way to call out colonial attitudes while also highlighting that our world has long been interconnected. Several critics point out, Shonibare has been producing the same work for decades. Observes one, “there’s nothing new here, but if you had an idea this good you’d probably overdo it too.”

One painting at a time: ‘King Charles III’ by Jonathan Yeo

Emily Lawford | Prospect | 16th May 2024

Irresistible! A portrait of King Charles has been unveiled, capturing attention for a few moments. A review by the national broadcaster is straight-faced, but other reactions are more colourful. One viewer called the work “a blood bath”. A London critic called it “curiously unthrusting” (not a typo) while a US critic said it was “confused, obsequious, oversized and unaccountably frightening”. Queen Camilla is said to approve (which is important), as does the reviewer. A short survey of royal portraits is here.

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