Opinion

Simon Grant's Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Simon Grant's Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art
Simon Grants Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Edward Burra, Susana and the Elders (1959-61). Pencil, watercolour and gouache on paper. 92.2 x 149 cm. Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.

Simon Grants Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.

Simon Grants Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Edward Burra, Susana and the Elders (1959-61). Pencil, watercolour and gouache on paper. 92.2 x 149 cm. Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.

Simon Grants Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Bill Lynch, No title [Trees, Center Tree Pink Blossom]. Oil on wood, 57.5 x 56.7 x 1.5 cm. Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.

Simon Grants Curatorial Triumph at Modern Art

Andrew Cranston, Four in the morning (2022). Distemper and oil on canvas. 94 x 78.7 cm. Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.

By Rory Mitchell – 8 February 2023, London

Every so often, a group show comes along that is so good it restores your faith in the curatorial practice which often falls short of its solo counterpart.

The Moth and the Thunderclap (4 February–18 March 2023) at Modern Art's Helmet Row space in London, is one of those group shows. Curated by writer and art historian, Simon Grant, it has the artistic and historic variety, yet clear curatorial unity that makes for a great show.

Taking its title from a painting by the American artist Charles Burchfield, the show takes its focus on how artists have been 'compelled to reflect an indeterminate psychological space where nature and culture collide, often filtered through their experience of landscape'.

Bringing together 40 artists—we see the contemporary favourites; Justin Caguiat, Andrew Cranston, and Alyina Zaidi, alongside Forrest Bess, Edward Burra, Bill Lynch, and Frank Walter.

Main image: Edward Burra, Susana and the Elders (1959-61). Pencil, watercolour and gouache on paper. 92.2 x 149 cm. Exhibition view: The Moth and the Thunderclap, Modern Art, Helmet Row, London (4 February–18 March 2023). Courtesy Ocula. Photo: Rory Mitchell, Ocula Advisory.
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