Things I’m looking forward to in Winter/Spring 2014

Exhibitions

Richard Hamilton (Tate Modern, 13 February – 26 May 2014) was the first artist whose work I truly fell in love with so I am very excited to see this exhibition of his work. One of the most significant artists of the twentieth century, Hamilton was a founding figure of pop art, and this exhibition should show the depth and breadth of his innovation and influence.

Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice (National Gallery 19 March - 15 June) is the first exhibition of the great Venetian artist’s work in London. It brings together the National’s own works by Veronese and a number of significant loans.

Martin Creed (Hayward Gallery, 29 January - 27 April) is an always controversial artist and this survey of his career should intrigue and provoke discussion if nothing else.

Books

The Days of Anna Madrigal by Armistead Maupin is an absolute must-read for me, a huge fan of Maupin’s Tales in the City books.

The Lemon Grove by Helen Walsh has been mentioned several times by readers and writers I follow on Twitter (where I get many great recommendations). Set in Mallorca, I’m looking forward to reading this while I’m there this summer.

We Live in Water by Jess Water is a collection of short fiction by the author of Beautiful Ruins, one of my favourite books of last year.

Film

The looming awards season means a plethora of juicy movies to distract us from the gloom of weather, dieting and budgeting over the next couple of months. I will definitely be heading to my lovely local cinema to see:

12 Years A Slave (released 17 January) does not look like the cheeriest start to the year, but sounds unmissable. From the artist-turned-filmmaker Steve McQueen, the true story of a free man taken back into slavery, it is tipped for Oscar success.

The Wolf of Wall Street (also 17 January) stars Leonard di Caprio and has been called Martin Scorsese’s finest film in twenty years. That’s reason enough to step out into the cold, surely?

The Grand Budapest Hotel (7 March). It doesn’t really matter what the plot is. If you love the quirky and original vision of Wes Anderson, this is one for you. 

Her (14 February) is the latest from Spike Jonze. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson, this story of a lonely writer who develops a relationship with his new operating system sounds original and intriguing.

The Monuments Men (14 February). George Clooney, Matt Damon and Bill Murray rescuing artistic masterpieces stolen by Nazi thieves. What’s not to love?

TV

As well as the return of old friends Girls, Mad Men and The Returned, I am looking forward to some great new telly. I won’t be going out much in 2014, clearly.

W1A (BBC) is the new comedy from the makers of the brilliant Twenty Twelve. Starring Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes, it focuses on the future of the BBC.

Babylon (Channel 4) is another new comedy with a good pedigree - it’s from the writers of Peep Show and Fresh Meat. My hopes are high for this one.

Wolf Hall (BBC). I have never quite managed to get to grips with Hilary Mantel’s novel, and missed out on tickets to the stage production this year, so am very much looking forward to this TV dramatisation of the award-winning historical novel.