From the constant crowds outside, you’d think that the Tates and Nationals were the only galleries in town. Unsurprisingly that’s not the case – there are so many dotted through London, some of which are hidden ridiculously well. Too well, in fact: for some, private viewings and emails are the only ways to get in. Let us give you an invite into London’s alternative, off-the-beaten-track galleries.
White Cube
White Cube galleries are an easy intro. Since it’s arrival in 1993 in Duke Street, this leading contemporary gallery has stretched its canvas towards Hoxton (now closed), Bermondsey and another in St James’s. Each incarnation takes a step closer to an industrial Ikea look, with the newest and biggest at Bermondsey looking unassumingly minimalist. Its muted greys and browns practically beg to be walked past. Stop in, however, and you’ll be treated to some incredible art. As the first gallery to give one artist shows to Young British Artists, it has attracted the talents of Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Gilbert & George. These white walls are the perfect blank canvas for new British talent.
Castle Art Galleries
Castle is an old friend on the art scene and they act like it. Goodbye pretentiousness, goodbye sterility! Walk into one of Castle’s five galleries in London and you’ll be welcomed in with open arms. Fancy a chat about the art? You’ll likely get it. The staff know their stuff and are willing to share, and there’s plenty to talk about. They’ve attracted big music-turned-artists Bob Dylan and Ronnie Wood, but we love their grown talents Richard Rowan, whose glass paintings are unparalleled, and Paul Kenton, whose London cityscapes will have you wanting to invest immediately. Because at Castle, the art’s actually on sale – dust off those chequebooks art lovers!
http://www.castlegalleries.com/
Victoria Miro Gallery
If you’ve walked through Mayfair, you’ll notice there’s a surfeit of galleries and art shops: it’s where many start out life. Most of us aren’t Mayfair locals, so galleries tend to remain off our radar until they branch out. Thank god Victoria Miro did, opening her second gallery in a backstreet between Angel and Shoreditch. It’s yet another road you’d rarely head down, but now is time to take that detour. Miro represents Turner Prize winners Grayson Perry and Chris Ofili and has exhibited the likes of Yayoi Kusama and the Chapman Brothers. Despite this, the grande dame of British art refuses to join ranks with the gallery giants – according to her, establishment means dull. You do you, Victoria.
Cabinet Gallery
Its website is simple, its advertising non-existent. Yet Cabinet has been getting on just fine without it for the last 20 years, thank you very much. It’s bounced about London, finally finding a home in Old Street, where the only way to find out about shows was an email or a good old-fashioned eye on their website. All this however, may be about to change. They’ve built a new base that is bringing art back to Vauxhall Gardens, which was once a life and soul area of London. Their new tower is remarkably restrained yet surreal and we love it: modern and interesting to the eye, but looks like it’s always been there amid the brick houses and barren park. With emerging and exciting artists already in its ranks, we can’t wait to see what Cabinet does next with its new digs.
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
It’s an exciting time for this Canonbury Square gallery. Currently undergoing renovation until January 2017, we want to know what’s happening behind closed doors. With the due date looming, we’re hoping for more of what Estorick does best: bringing Italian modern masters to the fore. It’s walls are so filled with phenomenal art that Tate had it loaning them paintings and sculptures for a decade. If you caught the Tate’s Futurism exhibit back in 2009 and liked what you saw, then January needs to go down in your diary. Estorick has the colours and creativity of Giacomo Balla, Umberto Boccioni, Gino Severini, Modigliani and way more.
http://www.estorickcollection.com/
Johnny Van Haeften
The contemporary art scene is one of London’s great strengths, but what if you’re not fussed by modern art? You’re not exactly in the minority, with names like Emin and Hirst being figureheads for alienating art. If you’d like a more antiquated experience, look no further than Johnny Van Haeften. Johnny started his career at Christie’s, which is quite the introduction to the art world. He realised his love of Dutch masters there and that was that. What makes him so important right now is that his famous little gallery is moving. The lease runs out in December this year, and he’ll be heading out to Richmond right after. Now is your chance to go! Give them a call in advance as it really is small – on Saturdays, they only do viewings by appointment. It can seem pretty intense, but don’t let that put you off: masterpieces await and they’re not waiting around much longer.
The post The Best of London’s Hidden Galleries appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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