Le cool

exhibition Afghan Artists in Britain
When you hear the word ‘Afghanistan’, the first thing you think about is the war. But Afghanistan has much more to offer than just that and the recent Afghanistan Festival The Great Game showcases the works by artists and young people who were born in Afghanistan but now live in Britain. The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see how culture and tradition can combine with arts and how the migration of Afghans has inspired a creative outlet to artists in Britain while giving others the chance to tell stories about such historic traditions as kite –running. Although the festival reminds us of the hardship and sacrifice the Afghani people have to endure in their daily life it also celebrates their courage and strength which is the one of the main messages of the exhibition. / Sophie Khan

where
Tricycle Gallery, 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR 020 7372 6611

when
10am -10pm

how much
Free

Le Cool

exhibition Audrey & Marilyn
The exhibition as well as celebrating the 80th birthday of Audrey Hepburn also presents the New York Photographer, Sam Shaw’s collection of the ‘other’ woman who became an icon in 20th century, Marilyn Monroe. This one-off exhibition celebrates Hollywood’s leading ladies in a way rarely seen and includes never-before-seen shots of both actresses. The infamous subway grate shot of Marilyn for the film ‘The Seven Year Itch’ is among the gems displayed alongside behind- the-scenes and personal photographs of both women taken from the Sam Shaw Archive. The exhibition pays homage to the women and recognises their individual contribution to the arts, fashion and culture and how their signature styles have reached beyond Hollywood and even inspired America’s First Lady. / Sophie Khan

where
Proud Central, 32 Adam Street, WC2N 6BP 020 7839 4942

when
11am - 7pm

how much
Free

Le Cool

Garden Indian Landscape
Kew Gardens have done it once again, but this time it’s for a special occasion. It’s their 250th anniversary and they have chosen to celebrate the year with a display of some of the most beautiful and diverse plants that exist. The garden is part of the Indian Summer exhibition and shows how nature is part of the traditional Indian culture. I’m not saying that a tiger or monkey will be hiding in the plantation, so be aware but what I am saying is that although you may not have seen the plants in real-life before if you are interested in Indian art and culture chances are they will seem familiar to you from paintings and ceramics. The vastness of the Indian sub-continent also allows the garden to display a wide range of landscapes from the rocky environment of the Himalayan mountains to the tropical rainforest. This is a must if like me you have always wanted to explore the Himalayas. Although it’s not the same thing I know it’s the closest that a lot of us are going to get. So go and explore! / Sophie Khan

where
British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG 020 7323 8181 Forecourt

when
10am-5:30pm until 27 September

how much
Free