Monday 12th April sees commercial art galleries across England able to re-open after the third lockdown. If, like us, you are keen to once again see art ‘IRL’, we’ve picked some of the galleries, shows and events we are really looking forward to visiting. Please note that pre-booking is essential for a number of these, and we have provided links for further information.
- Much talked about, NEW NORMAL PICTURES by Gilbert & George opens at White Cube Mason’s Yard on 13 April. The exhibition brings together 26 pictures from a new series they have been working on for over two years, started pre-pandemic and evolving in response to what subsequently became an unprecedented year.
- Damien Hirst’s new Fact Paintings and Fact Sculptures exhibition opens at Gagosian, launching a year-long takeover by the artist at the gallery’s Britannia Street space. The mostly never-before-seen paintings and sculptures have been created by Hirst over the past 15 years and are hugely wide-ranging in subject matter.
- Idris Khan: The Seasons Turn, opens at Victoria Miro on 13 April. This exhibition features a suite of 28 watercolour and oil collaged works on paper that incorporate fragments of the score of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, and an environment of enveloping blue paintings whose rich bands of colour are layered with the artist’s thoughts, feelings and responses to the past twelve months.
- For lovers of 19th century and Pre-Raphaelite art, Martin Beisly Fine Art currently has available for sale a wonderful selection, including paintings by de Laszlo, Leighton and exquisite landscapes by Brett. Formerly International Director of Victorian &19th Century Pictures at Christie’s, Martin Beisly opened his gallery at the heart of St James’s and, in addition to work owned outright, is delighted to sell on behalf of major collectors throughout the world.
- Moving out of town, Messums Wiltshire reopens on Thursday 15 April with a series of exhibitions, including Alan Cotton ‘Coast’ (until 9th May). Alan Cotton is one of Britain’s leading landscape artists, and this exhibition presents 40 richly painted landscapes featuring the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, County Kerry, Jersey and the Isle of Skye
- In Somerset, all five of Hauser & Wirth‘s galleries are showing the work of American artist, Henry Taylor. His highly personal sculptural work and paintings are rooted in the people and communities closest to him, often manifested alongside poignant historical or pop-cultural references. The gallery reopens on Tuesday 13 April.
- And now returning to London, on 23 April a number of West End galleries will celebrate the re-opening of the art world with a special spring edition of The Mayfair Art Weekend Gallery HOP! Created to re-engage audiences with art and culture in real life following months of lockdown, over 30 galleries across Mayfair and the surrounding areas of Soho, Fitzrovia, St James’s and Marylebone will open until 8pm for visitors to ‘hop’ from gallery to gallery during the evening. Exhibiting galleries include: David Zwirner, Frith Street Gallery and Stoppenbach & Delestre Ltd.
Steve Smith, Smith Greenfield Managing Director, speaking about the re- openings said: “It’s fantastic that galleries are open for business again and that the public and collectors can enjoy art ‘In Real Life’ once more. Although digital channels have been a welcome source of entertainment over the past year, there’s no substitute for seeing a piece of art right in front of you, and I am so looking forward to our great galleries being back next week.”
At Smith Greenfield, we are experts in arranging insurance for collectors of fine art and valuable objects. To discuss specialist insurance for your collection please contact our Premier Client Adviser, Imran Moideen, via email imran.moideen@smithgreenfield.co.uk or telephone 020 8603 3730.
Image: John Brett, A.R.A. (1831-1902), Traith Saith 3 July ’91 (Careg-y-Ddafad), Oil on canvas, 7 x 14 in. (17.8 x 35.6 cm.), Martin Beisly Fine Art