What to see this week
The Written Image is at Benjamin Spademan Rare Books, 14 Mason’s Yard, London SW1 until November 30 (020–7930 8499; www. benjaminspademan.com) The American artist/film-maker Robert Perkins (b. 1949) says that words have always had a strong visual connection for him; an almost physical power. He is fascinated by the entanglement of words and images and, since the 1950s, has created a series of works in collaboration with poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Robert Lowell, Elizabeth Bishop, Basil Bunting, J. D. Mcclatchy (left: Zion) and Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney and Octavio Paz, incorporating fragments of their poetry that they have chosen specially and written out by hand into paintings, prints and collages. These intimate works are like portraits of the poets; in the accompanying catalogue, the artist recalls his meetings with them and describes the creative process.
Daring to Dream; New Work by Kitty North is at Salts Mill, Victoria Road, Saltaire, West Yorkshire until April 15, 2018 (01274 531163; www.saltsmill.org.uk) Salts Mill is best known for its collection of works by David Hockney, whose friend Jonathan Silver transformed the former textile mill into a vibrant cultural centre 30 years ago. Commissioned to celebrate this anniversary, Kitty North’s large, luminous canvasses capture the essence of this extraordinary place, which now forms the centrepiece of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ages of Wonder: Scotland’s Art 1540 to Now is at the Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh until January 7, 2018 (0131–225 6671; www.royalscottishacademy.org) Opposite the National Gallery stands the Royal Scottish Academy, founded in the 1820s and home to one of the world’s most significant Scottish art collections. This body of more than 7,000 works was built up by its own members, among them many of the great names in Scottish painting and architecture. The current exhibition is the largest ever celebration of that collection.
Alice Kettle, More Threads: concurrent, retrospective exhibitions at The Gallery, Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Hampshire until January 14, 2018 (01962 873603; www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk) and at the Candida Stevens Gallery, 12, Northgate, Chichester, West Sussex until November 25 (01243 528401; www.candidastevens.com). Works in embroidery and other media by the textile artist/professor of textiles.