London’s long lineage of artists, schools and galleries is no new phenomenon. The city has been churning out some of the best artists and exhibitions for hundreds of years now. It’s unsurprising too, as any first time guest of London hotel offers will attest to, the English capital is a very inspiring place for creatives. With so much in the way of creative arts, the city is full of talented creators and draws many more to study and work here. This is part of the reason that London has so many world famous art galleries, the works of which have been amassed by collectors and curators over hundreds of years.
From the Tate galleries to the National Gallery, there are many famous places to see both contemporary and classic art and all of them deserve your attention. But whilst guests of accommodation near Brewery Road might flock to the popular galleries of London, there are others that earn a look in too. This blog will highlight some of the lesser known art galleries in London and what makes them stand out.
Newport Street Gallery
Founded by Damien Hirst in 2015, the Newport Street Gallery programmes exhibitions from contemporary artists, often with a focus on fellow Young British Artists such as Gavin Turk and Tracy Emin. The gallery also has its own collection – the Muderme – that includes works by Picasso, Francis Bacon and Banksy. The Newport Gallery is generally free to visit and is located in Vauxhall.
Serpentine Galleries
Though located in the heart of London’s most famous royal park – Hyde Park – the Serpentine Galleries are often overlooked as free to visit galleries. Opened in 1970, the Serpentine Sackler and Serpentine Pavilion are two individual exhibition spaces redeveloped from a 30s built tea pavilion. The gallery has exhibited the works of old and new artists alike, elevating the careers of Jeff Koons, Marina Abramovic and Basquiat.
Whitechapel Gallery
Built in 1901 in the British Modern architectural style, the Whitechapel Gallery really stands out amidst the regeneration of East London, making the building itself a work of art on Whitechapel High Street. Easy to reach for guests of East London hotels like the Montcalm at the Brewery, the Whitechapel Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions and retrospectives, and has in the past showcased the work of Picasso’s Guernica collection, feminsit activist group Guerilla Girls and David Hockney, to name but a few of its high profile collections.
Wallace Collection
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Marylebone sits a testament to England’s aristocratic past, a free to visit collection of decorative and Master European art bequeathed to the British public by Lady Wallace in 1897. The extensive collection of portraits, 16th to 19th century paintings by the likes of Titian, Van Dyck and Rembrandt as well as decorative art and artefacts were part of the 4th Marquess of Hertford, Richard Wallace’s private collection. The 18th century townhouse once inhabited by the Wallace family was also used as the French and Spanish embassies at different times. The collection and building then, should stand out for guests of Montcalm Hotel deals who want to see art and learn a little more about London’s rich history.
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