From staying in and watching Killing Eve to going out and enjoying the best food and art London has to offer, Daisy Hoppen provides a list of this month’s must-dos
See...
The larger institutions always have blockbuster shows on for summer – do book now for the long-anticipated Cindy Sherman solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, as well as Lee Krasner: Living Colour at the Barbican. But be sure to schedule in time to visit some of London’s independent galleries too, who have lined up a strong series of shows:
The Great Women Artists at Victoria Miro, London: until July 27
Founded by Katy Hessel, The Great Women Artists presents a show with Victoria Miro featuring three young female artists who rethink traditional genres to touch upon themes of migration, women in the workplace and the gendered language of painting. There’s Brooklyn’s María Berrio, who grew up in Colombia and whose work is created from layers of Japanese paper and explores migration, women, and South American folklore, while London-based Caroline Walker looks more at intimate portrayals of women in the workplace – think hotel maids and shop assistants – and how their presence can often be ignored or unseen. Finally, Flora Yukhnovich, who is also based in London and reimagines the dynamism of the Rococo world and 18th-century artists through large-scale paintings. Yukhnovich’s paintings explore ideas surrounding dualities and multiplicities, transcending gendered painterly traditions while fusing high art with popular culture, and intellect with intuition. Having started as an Instagram account originally, @thegreatwomenartists celebrates female artists, ranging from recent graduates to Old Masters.
Wolfgang Tillmans at Maureen Paley: until July 25
The London gallery presents a new show by her longtime collaborator, artist and photographer Wolfgang Tillmans. Described as ‘Greifbar Works’, they were created in the darkroom without any negatives or a camera, but rather through the manipulation of light on paper.
Michael Hoppen Gallery: Jeff Bark: June 25 – August 30
One of London’s premier independent galleries, Michael Hoppen Gallery – which specialises in photography – will be presenting a solo show by Jeff Bark titled Still Life from Paradise Garage. For this series, Bark transformed his small, blank-walled garage in upstate New York into an unlikely theatre for scenes created through the dense layering of iconographic references to the art of the past. I have always loved Bark’s use of colour and sensuality – from nudes to still life, the vision is always unique and has tangible historical references.
Watch...
Small Island: from June 27
I love going to my local Picturehouse cinema to watch the ballet or theatre with the comfort of being able to drink wine and eat popcorn. To celebrate the National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday, Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel Small Island comes to life in a new theatre adaptation. Small Island embarks on a journey from Jamaica to Britain, through the Second World War to 1948 – the year the HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury.
A company of 40 actors take to the stage of the National Theatre in this timely and moving story, which I didn’t get to see at the theatre – so booking my tickets now to not miss it a second time around.
Killing Eve, Season 2: on now
Jodie Comer is everything as the assassin Villanelle, who returns for the second series of the internationally acclaimed Killing Eve this month on the BBC. She had quite a moment in Molly Goddard in Season 1, so I am looking forward to her new wardrobe in Season 2: I have already spotted a rather luxurious silk dressing gown by Olivia von Halle, a pink Rosie Assoulin blouse and a show-shopper black Alexander McQueen gown.
Listen...
Fleetwood Mac at Wembley Stadium: 16 June and 18 June
Grammy-award winning band Fleetwood Mac perform at London’s Wembley Stadium this month. Beg, borrow and steal to get tickets – who knows if or when they will tour again!
Read...
Lanny by Max Porter: With one of the more surreal openings to a book – both in terms of the language as well as the imaginative typography and layout – Lanny takes you into the world of a seemingly idyllic countryside village which is still haunted by spirits of another time. This book is a strange but incredibly engaging piece of writing, that you will whizz through once you have started to read and think in the same way as the book’s often unusual characters do.
Shop...
June is the time of pre-collections and sales – but it’s next month that the new Autumn/Winter season drops happen. June is therefore the perfect time to shop for summer holidays, and it’s always swimwear that proves a never-ending search for that perfect shape and fit. As part of Net-A-Porter’s ‘Jet-a-Porter’ collection, the site has some of my favourite brands and specials from Solid & Striped, the ever-chic Eres and always flattering Marysia. For those with sustainability on their mind, All Sisters create their collections from recycled fabrics, as do Danish brand Ganni.
Visit...
The Swan: I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a weekend in the Cotswolds, so the latest addition to the country-scene will no doubt be booked up quickly. Sam and Georgie Pearman (co-founders of The Lucky Onion Group) have announced they have taken over The Swan, a rustic 16th-century timbered inn in Ascott-under-Wychwood, which they will reopen for June. Enjoy the inglenook fireplaces, reclaimed wooden floors, natural botanical products from 100 Acres Apothecary and even a family cottage that can be rented.
Eat...
London isn’t slowing down for summer – there are a number of restaurants and menus launching in June. Here are some I already have booked in my diary to visit:
Ooty Station, London: open now
I would eat curry every night if possible, so the opening of a new all-day South Indian café and bar in central London is excellent news. Serving contemporary dishes inspired by South Indian street food classics alongside some British bar snacks with an Indian twist including: malli chicken wings, mutton methi samosa and goat’s cheese with jalapeño, ghatti masala bun and apple chutney.
Matthew Ryle at Laylow, London: open now
Joining the Laylow family for three months is acclaimed chef Matthew Ryle. Bringing his seasonal style to their kitchen, Matthew will have a bi-weekly night where he will create a unique dinner in the upstairs private apartment at Laylow to a special few explaining the process of cooking and his carefully selected ingredients.
Rirkrit’s Sake Bar at Rochelle Canteen: open now
Sake, along with tequila, is my drink (poison) of choice, preferably drunk cold and crisp. I am delighted that the Rochelle Canteen is designating an entire space to a new sake bar in the form of an installation by artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, inspired by the sake bars of Japan. Visitors to the ICA can immerse themselves into the work by ordering from Rochelle Canteen’s menu of Japanese-influenced dishes and sake cocktails, before grabbing a seat in the installation itself, available every Friday throughout June.
Daisy Green Collection at Scarlett Green: open now
Ahead of summer barbeque season, the Daisy Green Collection is presenting a new dinner menu at Scarlett Green in Soho. Centered around a fresh grilled array of meat and plant-based dishes that celebrate the best of Australian BBQ culture including The Aussie BBQ Meat Board, which boasts free-range lamb tomahawk sourced locally from HG Walter, the collection’s famous 28-day dry-aged grass-fed onglet steak chargrilled at over 500 degrees, herb and fennel sausages, smoky BBQ back ribs and chimichurri. It is matched by the equally impressive Bondi Vegan Sharing Board for plant-based eaters, which highlights the collection’s refined and innovative plant-based offering with a colourful selection of a vegan bolognese-stuffed pepper, shaved courgette, citrus and almond salad, fire-roasted aubergine, smoky BBQ tofu steak, and crispy wild rice salad.
Circolo by Big Mamma: from June 28
When Gloria opened earlier this year there were queues around the block every night and most deservedly so. Expect the same hysteria around the new opening in Fitzrovia later this month which will also have an outdoor terrace. Look out for metre-long pizzas, homemade gelato and an OTT 1L Sundae, served with giant cookie chunks.
Daisy Hoppen is the founder of DH-PR, a London-based communications agency. She also works in house with a small number of brands, companies and personalities across fashion, art and culture.