London is an art-lovers paradise. From small independent galleries to world-renowned art institutions, it is undeniable that London has one of the most exciting art scenes in the world. House of Coco rounds-up the best galleries the city has to offer; and all of their must-see exhibitions this spring.

SERPENTINE GALLERY

Originally a grade II listed tea pavilion in the beautiful grounds of Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Gallery first opened its doors in 1970. Having shown over 2,263 artists over the last 45 years, the Serpentine Gallery has become a champion of the contemporary art scene; and a platform for emerging artists in the UK. Aside from the gallery’s main space, the Serpentine Sackler Gallery is a modernist architectural treat that is definitely worth a visit. Designed by the late great Zaha Hadid, this two hundred year old gunpowder store was opened to the public for the first time in September 2013 and features the dynamic curved design that is Hadid’s signature.

Their stellar spring program includes pioneering exhibitions from artists like Ian Cheng, Sondra Perry, and Lee Ufan. First off, Ian Cheng analyses the nature of mutation by developing live simulations, living virtual ecosystems left to self-evolve, inviting us to observe the effects of unrelenting change on a digital scale. Sondra Perry explores black American history and how new technology shapes identity through the use of digital production and performances. And finally, prominent South Korean sculptor Lee Ufan, transforms the Kensington Gardens with his new work Relatum-Stage (2018).

SAATCHI GALLERY

A five minute walk away from Sloane Square Station and right at the heart of Chelsea, the Saatchi Gallery is a wonderful gallery with the aim of making contemporary art as accessible as possible. In the last five years alone, the Saatchi Gallery has hosted 15 out of the 20 most visited exhibitions in London, making it one of the most popular galleries in the city. Not to mention entry to all Saatchi Gallery exhibitions is free, making it an absolute dream for art lovers the world over.

Their latest major exhibition, Known Unknowns, features the work of 17 Contemporary artists, born between 1966-1990. Known Unknown refers to the artist’s respective statuses in the mainstream art world, from relatively unknown new talent to some of the most respected names in the industry. The exhibition presents a broad range of mediums from traditional painting and sculpture to mixed media and video production; all of which create a compelling commentary on the visual conditions of contemporary life. In addition to this, the artists selected explore new media in thought provoking ways, and present a realistic reflection of the current state of the art world today.

VICTORIA MIRO GALLERY

Located in a sprawling 8000 square foot former furniture factory in North East London, the Victoria Miro Gallery is a minimalist architectural wonder designed by Claudio Silvestrin Architects. Sitting atop a refurbished Victorian building, the Victoria Miro Gallery is truly one of a kind. It even has its own beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking a restored stretch of the Regent’s Canal. Fun fact: This garden was transformed by the legendary Yayoi Kusama during the Victoria Miro’s major Yayoi Kusama retrospective in 2016.

Go check out the gallery’s upcoming exhibition, Surface Work. A cross-generational celebration of the women artists who have transformed the world of abstract painting. More than fifty artists from all over the world are represented, with work coming from every decade in the last century. The oldest work is a piece from Russian Constructivist Liubov Popova from 1918, while the newest comes from Beirut-based artist, Dala Nasser, who was born in 1990.

The title was lifted from a quote by abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell who said, “Abstract is not a style. I simply want to make a surface work”. Not only is the exhibition a wonderful retrospective on the development of the school of abstraction, but is also a fabulous showcase of the women who were and still are are the movers and shakers of the abstract movement.

BARBICAN

The Barbican’s impressive brutalist architecture can be seen from a mile away and is an architectural landmark in and of itself. Originally developed by architects Chamberlin, Powell, and Bon as a utopian vision that would transform post-war London, the Barbican took more than a decade to build and was hailed by The Queen as “one of the modern wonders of the world” .

Today, the Barbican has also become one of the most important art institutions in London. The Barbican’s multi-disciplinary art program support artists of all levels, offering support for artists throughout every stage of their career. From new talent, to globally recognised artists — the Barbican’s visual arts programs presents the best of the best from the fields art, architecture, design, photography and film.

Check out their current exhibitions Another Kind of Life: Photography on the Margins and Yto Barrada: Agadir. Another Kind of Life delves into photography’s fascination with those on the fringes of mainstream society; exploring themes of sexuality and countercultures in the last 70 years. Yto Barrada: Agadir transforms the dramatic sweeping form of the Barbican’s Curve gallery with a multi-media site-specific installation that follows a city undergoing the process of reinvention, focusing on humanity’s ability to cope with devastation and change. These two exhibitions are part of the Barbican’s 2018 program The Art of Change which investigates the relationship between art, society, and politics.

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