The 2023 Rhakotis exhibition of the year is Making History: The Ceramic Work of Simon Pettet at Dennis Severs’ House, London. This exhibition explored the vital contribution of the potter Simon Pettet who tragically died too young from AIDS.
Simon was the partner of the visionary interiors artist Sir Dennis Severs, who turned his house in Spitalfields into a 4D piece of still life. Simon was vital to the realization of this vision. He created the everyday ceramic objects that grounded the fictional Hugenout Jervis family in the house over several generations: a personalized shaving bowl for Mr Jervis, delft shoes to teach the kids poise and the greatest portrait of Gilbert and George (neighbors).
Severs’ idea was that visitors would feel that the Jervis family had just left the room, dropping pipes or half finished eggs in their haste. The most poignant item on show was Simon’s yellow bike covered in Keith Haring Stickers, resting inconveniently against the wall, as if he had just popped in to drop off one of his perfectly formed works. We were aware of his presence by his absence.
The gorgeous ceramic art is his legacy and this exhibition did great work to make more people aware of it.
Runner up: Empowering Art: Indigenous Creativity and Activism from North America’s Northwest Coast at the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich
A powerful and inspiring show that looked at the experience of indigenous communities and artists on North America’s Northwest coast. Several pieces stood out, but a particular highlight was the small display featuring the art work of Simeon Stilthda next to his famous wooden sphinx inspired by an illustrated bible, normally held in the British Museum.
The Centre now offers a Universal Ticket allowing access to the entire gallery on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis.
3. Islanders at Fitzwilliam, Cambridge
Connection, identity and environment have become more important themes in recent years. This free exhibition at the Fitzwilliam, based on academic research, explored these themes and more across three mediterranean islands without being over simplistic or over complicated.
4. Luxury and power: Persian and Greek at the British Museum, London
A fascinating exhibition looking at luxury and the complex cultural exchanges in the Eastern Mediterranean. A sign that nuance can add something extra to already visually stunning shows.
This exhibition deserves its place in the top ten for the drapery alone.
5. Roman Rubbish by Mariana Castillo in Bloomberg Space, London
An immersive ceramic installation inspired by the archaeological items found on the site. It can be found to fill this space, but Castillo did it with style. The art was both grandeur and welcoming.
6. Freud’s Antiquity: Object, Idea, Desire at the Freud Museum, London
Archaeology inspired Sigmund Freud, one of the most inspiring figures of the twentieth century. This exhibition looked at the archaeological items that Freud collected and which are still kept in the house that the family moved to when they left Vienna following the Nazi Anschluss.
7. Labyrinth: Knossos, myth & reality at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
A heady, dizzy, excitement inducing show exploring myth and history, art and archaeology. Reviews on Instagram highlighted a simple Terracotta votive figurine from Crete, possibly depicting Isis, as the most important item on show.
8. The World of Alexander at the British Library, London
A wide ranging exhibition looking at the history and myth of Alexander the Great across several cultures. The section exploring his mother’s links with snakes was eye opening.
The British Library is currently in everyone’s bad books due to a cyber attack that has seen people’s records hacked and access to collections blocked, a scary insight into the future of digital scholarship. Naughty!
9. R.I.P. Germain’s exhibition “Jesus Died For Us, We Will Die For Dudus!” at ICA, London
A truly great show and one that we will talk about for decades. It brought to mind the initiation into the 11th book of Apuleius’ Golden Ass.
10. Diva at V&A, London
A hit and miss show which stretched the concept of Diva. I love Joan Baez, but I don’t think anyone would call her a diva even in the positive sense that the curators used the term. But the costumes by Theda Bara and Liz Taylor in Cleopatra? Yes, please.
Rhakotis 