Things to do in London, England: The Best Art Galleries

Reviewed By futtock21 - London, United Kingdom

Redevelopment of much of Cork Street once the epicentre of London’s art scene sent many long-established galleries in search of new homes and others in a state of deep-freeze. A few years on and trendy new spaces at once more contemporary and commercial have been occupied by more contemporary and commercial galleries. Some spaces have been temporarily occupied for this year’s Frieze week, itself unable thanks to Covid-19 to occupy its huge twin tents in Regent’s Park but instead inhabiting online viewing rooms from galleries worldwide, some of whose exhibitions can be visited in person. One of the best of these is in the pop-up Lisson Gallery removed time Cork Street. It features paintings and sculptures by some of the great names in contemporary art including a pot on a plinth inscribed Coca Cola by Ai Weiwei, a psychedelic blue sphere by Anish Kapoor, a bronze gate by Tony Cragg, a box of geometric shapes by Haroon Mirza.some intriguing works by up and coming artists such as Laure Prouvost such as a half painted tent in three parts called The Hidden Paintings Grandma Improved and a willow branch with an attached glass element entitled Swallow We Will Feed The World. All very stimulating and intriguing. But perhaps because of its patchwork quilt of colour my personal favourite was Patrick Whitney’s untitled painting from 1986. In contrast with its neighbours requiring a long title or even with a mini thesis attached the Whitney is left to speak for itself.