Mixing It Up : Painting Today Review

When: Until 12 December 2021

Where: Hayward Gallery

Price: £12 

Image: Patrice Antwi

The anticipation of this exhibition really lived up to expectations. Stunning paintings of 31 artists whose work entrance, transfix and challenge us as viewers. Mixing It Up celebrates paintings that championing diversity, music, design and photography and fashion. Names like Lubaina Himid, Lisa Brice and Lydia Bakley are a few of the striking paintings that cover the white walls of the Hayward Gallery. All women artist ranging in age and ethnicity and race

The first striking painting to catch our eye is Brice’s tripe portrait of Torp, painting in hazy monotones, literally raises her up, enlarging upon her gifts, her self-knowledge and struggle, which also embodies the sensual worlds of empowered female bodies.

Walking around the Hayward gallery the exhibition really embodies the title ‘Mixing it up’ there is such a range a paintings, mixed media, little and large canvases displayed throughout. the Hayward’s giving a huge amount of space to artists most people have never heard of, and that makes the whole show feel seriously special.

Another fascinating painting to grab your attention as a viewer is Lydia Blakley’s paintings which always capture the British culture so well. This intertwined with different culture pieces really give a sense of unity.

But you’re not meant to come out of a big painting survey show thinking everything here is brilliant, you’re meant to walk away feeling reassured that painting is alive. And when you leave ‘Mixing It Up’, you’ll know for absolute certain that painting’s not just alive, it’s as essential as it’s ever been.

Words by Patrice Antwi