Amidst some of the city’s greatest heavyweights, such as the Royal Festival Hall, the BFI and the National Theatre, London’s Southbank delights even further by the Hayward Gallery – a globally renowned contemporary art space and a landmark of Brutalist architecture.
Its latest celebration is a major retrospective exhibition devoted to the work of British artist Bridget Riley. As the largest and most-comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s work, spanning 70 years of her working life, it is a British art spectacular.
As one of the most respected and globally renowned artists of today, Riley’s innovative method of painting remains a key theme throughout the exhibition. Including over 200 works and 50 key paintings, the exhibition demonstrates Riley’s expert balance of both colour and form and, with the viewer further exposed to a concurring yet varied analysis of abstraction and perception.
Riley’s visually-charged artworks are actively engaging to raise attention surrounding the actual practice of taking in pieces of art to then perceive the world around us.
In wonderful contrast, a series of Riley’s vast colour canvases are also on show, including Rise 1, 1968; High Sky, 1991 and Aria, 2012). Fans are in for a treat with the incorporation of the artist’s rarely-seen figurative works and studies.
This latest retrospective is a key demonstrator of the long-standing relationship between both the artist and Hayward Gallery. Marking Riley third solo show at Hayward, having previously presented solo shows in 1971 and 1992, this current exhibition is clearly set to be one of her best.
Ralph Rugoff, Director of Hayward Gallery said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Bridget Riley back to Hayward Gallery with an exhibition that offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to experience works from the full span of her brilliant career.”
For a slice of the British art pie, we recommend this goes unmissed.
Bridget Riley runs until 26 January 2020 at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1
southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery
The Hayward Gallery is approximately 1.5 miles from House of Kip’s The Leicester Square Apartment
