RA Magazine's pick of this week’s art events (28 Jun–5 July)

Posted: 28 June 2012 by Sam Phillips

Edvard Munch, 'The Girls on the Bridge' 1927. Munch Museum. © Munch Museum/Munch-EllingsendGroup/DACS 2012. Edvard Munch: The Modern Eye
Until 14 October 2012

This week’s major art opening is the Edvard Munch survey at Tate Modern, which is previewed at greater length in the Summer 2012 issue of RA Magazine.

Rather than painting a picture of the Norwegian artist as a tortured genius pioneering proto-Expressionism in isolation from society, the exhibition suggests that Munch took constant inspiration from everyday life, current affairs and technological change, especially the rise of photography and film.

Pio Abad, 'Lair du Temps (Camel)', 2012. C-print. 101 x 135 cm. Image courtesy the artist. London Open
From 3 July 2012

The Whitechapel Gallery presents ‘The London Open’ every three years, an open submission survey show of London-based artists. Only 35 artists are selected and they tend to be at the start of their careers: Grayson Perry RA and Rachel Whiteread were all selected in previous years, before they gained their current fame.

All types of media are included in an effort to represent the diversity of the city’s practitioners, from Nicholas Cobb’s photographs of model riot scenes to a performance by Martin John Callanan in which he changes his name by Deed Poll in front of a live audience. RA Schools student Pio Abad is also featured.

Masterpiece London
Until 4 July

Launched in 2010, Masterpiece London has quickly established itself as a top-quality fair specialising in antiques, design and decorative art. It’s open for business until Wednesday in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

17 / 17 Billiard Room Ltd and Wick Antiques Ltd at Masterpiece London 2011.

One of its selling points is that each exhibit is scrutinised before display by a panel of experts, and the sheer variety of objects makes for a worthwhile visit for an average art lover as well as a collector.

RCA shows
Last chance: Until 1 July

Sunday is the last opportunity to catch the Royal College of Art’s exhibitions of work by its graduating students.

Selection of Fine Art students' work, Sculpture Building, Royal College of Art.

Student shows are a mixed bag by definition, but they always give an interesting overview of the emerging generation of British-based artists. Head to the RCA’s Battersea campus to see the results of the fine art programmes – painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture – or visit the Kensington buildings to see works of applied art and design.

Sam Phillips is a London-based arts journalist and contributor to RA Magazine