EASTERN STROKES
A breath of fresh air sweeps through the V&A this year with the arrival of the late M.F. Husain’s epic exhibition. Deemed Asia’s answer to Georges Braque, M.F. Husain was an extraordinary master of Indian contemporary painting, and one of India’s most magnificent artists. He mastered the ability to transform the early days of India, the traditions of the Indian culture and religious celebrations, in a contemporary, freehand manner deeply cast within the Cubism movement.
Expect a series of triptych paintings that depicts the strongest moments of a nation’s history. Walking through it, you will get a renewed perspective and a better understanding of the Indian way of life: the traditional festivals, the empires that conquered India, and its wondrous dance forms all in a simple but remarkable way filled with colour and that Surrealist feel. ‘Indian Civilization’ is at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, until July 27. www.vam.ac.uk Every summer, the Serpentine gallery commissions a renowned architect to design the monumental Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in Kensington Gardens. 2014’s summer pavilion is designed by Chilean architect Smiljan Radic.´ Attractive and interactive, Radic’s´ pavilion was inspired by The Castle of the Selfish Giant, a story by Oscar Wilde. The semi-translucent cylindrical structure even has a cafe inside, and on selected Friday nights it will play host to the Serpentine’s Park Nights series bringing together art, film, music, and literature. Until October 19. www.serpentinegalleries.org