Category: LONDON

Become a part of the National Gallery London this summer

National Gallery artist

The National Gallery‘s Artist in Residence, Céline Condorelli, is creating a new exhibition from September 13, 2023, to January 7, 2024, that will feature various installations inspired by the Gallery’s iconic collections. Visitors can enjoy a new work of art by reclining on the floor of one of the Gallery’s most imposing rooms and admiring the new 25-by-64-metre textile sculpture on the ceiling. Additionally, visitors can hear field recordings and everyday voices of Trafalgar Square through a new audio work that connects the inside of the Gallery with the world outside. Céline Condorelli, who lives and works in London, focuses on bridging the boundaries between public and private, art and function, work and leisure, to reimagine the culture and society’s role of artists within them. She is the third Artist in Residence chosen since the launch of the National Gallery’s new Modern and Contemporary Programme. Condorelli’s work responds to the visitors’ experiences of looking at art by addressing the historical significance of furnishings and picture hangings, the use of carpets for children during storytelling activities, and scanning and imaging technologies pioneered by the Gallery’s scientific department. Moreover, she reflects on how visitors engage with art and spaces in the Gallery. Céline Condorelli’s residency will culminate in a publication and a display featuring her work at the National Gallery. With the support of the Contemporary Art Society, one of the works relating to the residency will enter RAMM’s collection. The Artist in Residence program is sponsored by Hiscox and is a collaboration between the National Gallery,… Read More

London’s Southbank Centre: The Perfect Summer Entertainment Destination

Southbank Centre London

Summer in London is a special time of the year. With so much going on in the city, finding the perfect entertainment destination can often seem like a daunting task. However, if you’re looking for an experience that combines culture, entertainment, and fun, look no further than the Southbank Centre. Located along the vibrant South Bank of the River Thames, the Southbank Centre is a world-renowned entertainment destination. Whether you’re interested in music, theater, dance, film, poetry, or spoken word, the Southbank Centre has it all. One of the biggest advantages of choosing the Southbank Centre as your summer entertainment destination is the sheer variety of events on offer. With venues like the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Purcell Room, the Southbank Centre provides a range of indoor and outdoor spaces perfect for enjoying the summer sunshine and experiencing some of the best performers in the world. Not only does the Southbank Centre cater to all forms of art and entertainment, it also values inclusivity. It is an LGBTQ+ friendly venue and promotes diversity by supporting underrepresented artists. With such a diverse range of events and performers, there truly is something for everyone at the Southbank Centre. If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or family, the Southbank Centre has plenty of options. Take in a live performance of a favorite orchestra or listen to a spoken word performance by a celebrated author. With plenty of restaurants and outdoor seating options, the Southbank Centre offers a great opportunity to… Read More

Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with Gordon & MacPhail

King Charles 3

Gordon & MacPhail, a renowned Scotch whisky brand, has announced the upcoming release of a rare single malt whisky from Glen Grant Distillery. The Private Collection 1948 is released in honour of the coronation of King Charles III in May. Only 281 bottles of this incredibly rare whisky will be available, priced at £25,000 each. The Private Collection 1948 is a first-fill Sherry cask whisky that has been maturing for over seven decades at a cask strength of 50.4%, retaining its vibrancy and fragrant profile. Its tasting notes include festive spices, mulled berries, a hint of raisin, and lemon zest. The whisky was bottled on 15th December, which happens to be the anniversary of His Majesty’s christening. Gordon & MacPhail has been bottling spirits from Scottish distilleries for over a century and has long-established relationships with many of them. Last year, they introduced a 70-year-old single malt to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Before that, they celebrated the reopening of Benromach Distillery by none other than HRH Prince Charles, who is now known as King Charles III. To mark the release of this extraordinary single malt, Gordon & MacPhail is donating £25,000 to the Prince’s Foundation, a charity that promotes education, training, and sustainable development in heritage crafts, horticulture, and hospitality. The charity supports communities by creating future legacies, which aligns with King Charles III’s long-standing vision. Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail expressed his admiration for His Majesty’s contributions and said, “This release has been carefully nurtured for… Read More

How to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles at Kew Gardens

london-kew-gardens-gardens-and-lake

Are you a fan of all things royal? The coronation of King Charles is just around the corner, and Kew Gardens has a special celebration planned just for the occasion. Here’s your guide to celebrate the coronation of King Charles at Kew Gardens: 1. Visit the exhibition Kew Gardens has a special exhibition on display to commemorate the coronation of King Charles. Make sure to visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory for a stunning display of exotic flowers and plants that represent the Crown Jewels, as well as the Royal Family’s coat of arms. The exhibition runs from the king’s coronation to the Jubilee, so don’t miss out! 2. Join the tour Get to know Kew Gardens on an informative tour led by experienced guides. Discover the history and secrets of the gardens, including the unique and rare plants housed here. Don’t forget to ask your guide about the impact of British royals on the garden’s development. The tour lasts around two hours and is suitable for all ages. 3. Enjoy a royal-themed picnic Pack a hamper full of delicious food and enjoy a picnic under a canopy of magnificent trees while basking in the glorious sunshine. Kew Gardens has several picturesque spots where you can lay down your blanket and picnic in style. You can even order a special royal-themed picnic basket with classic British delicacies and refreshing drinks for the perfect coronation celebration. 4. Watch the fireworks As the sun sets over Kew Gardens, prepare for a magical evening with spectacular coronation-themed fireworks… Read More

DIVA: celebrating the power and creativity of iconic performers in London

Whitney Houston singing

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has announced its major new exhibition, DIVA, which will open in June. The exhibition will be the first of its kind to celebrate the extraordinary power and creativity of iconic performers who have made their voices heard from the 19th century to the present day. Let’s not forget Whitney Houston, for example – watch her documentary on Amazon DIVA will honour the powerful and personal stories of creativity, ambition, and resilience of some of the best-known divas, from opera goddesses and silent movie stars to sirens of the big screen and today’s global megastars. The exhibition will also explore how performers have intersected with society and driven change through their platform and profile for social good and political change, including global civil rights and feminism. Over 60 looks will go on display, many rare or on display for the first time, including stage ensembles, iconic costumes by fashion designer for the stars Bob Mackie, and personal objects and accessories owned by divas. DIVA also includes examples of diva branding and key photographic works by renowned photographers. Kate Bailey, curator of DIVA, said that the V&A is the perfect stage to celebrate the multifaceted diva. “At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers who have challenged the status quo and used their voice and their art to redefine and reclaim the diva,” she said. One of the divas featured in the exhibition is Dame Shirley Bassey, who said: “It is wonderful to see the… Read More

National Gallery does Paula Rego’s Crivelli’s Garden

People gathered around front door of National Gallery Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery in London is set to showcase an upcoming exhibition that pays tribute to the works of the late Dame Paula Rego. Titled “Crivelli’s Garden,” the exhibition centers around Rego’s public commission of the same name, which was created for the Sainsbury Wing Dining Room in 1990. The exhibition will unite the massive artwork with the 15th-century altarpiece by Carlo Crivelli that inspired it. Rego’s life studies of National Gallery colleagues that feature in the final painting will also be on display. The monumental 10-metre-long painting reimagines the narratives of powerful women, including female saints and mythological women, surrounded by a maze-like Portuguese garden. Rego was inspired by depictions of women she encountered in the National Gallery Collection, and also used models that included friends, family members, and Gallery staff for her work. The exhibition will delve into the layers and storylines that Rego incorporated into the artwork, exploring both the art historical references and personal touches she included. “Crivelli’s Garden” was an innovative work for Rego, signaling a new direction for her career, and exploring the representation of women in paintings, as well as their role in society and religion. Despite the challenges posed by her residency, Rego approached her work with boundless energy, and much of the work presented in the exhibition is a testament to her determination and spirit. Though she was invited to produce new artworks inspired by the collection during her residency, the murals she created in that period have remained some of her most celebrated works to… Read More

See Saint Bartholomew by Bernardo Cavallino at National Gallery

Saint Batholomew art painting

Bernardo Cavallino’s Saint Bartholomew is an awe-inspiring Baroque masterpiece that will be on display in The National Gallery this April 2023. This painting, acquired at a Sotheby’s auction in New York and costing $3.9 million, is the only life-size work of the artist to be in a public collection. Cavallino, dubbed ‘the Poussin of Naples’ for his poetic handling of his subjects, was one of the leading Neapolitan artists of the first half of the 17th-century. No doubt influenced by Jusepe de Ribera’s naturalism as well as by Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens, Cavallino was renowned for his small, sensitive paintings. His style is characterised by harmonious colours and virtuoso brushwork with stylised compositions. At 178.8 x 127 cm, Saint Bartholomew has been described as one of Cavallino’s best works – indeed it can be said to represent the full glory and emotionality of the Neapolitan Baroque school led by Caravaggio at its height. With its exhibition in Room 32 alongside other masterpieces from Italian Baroque artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi and Orazio Gentileschi, visitors can appreciate how vital a part this painting plays in telling the story of 17th century Italian art. The gallery already has another work by Cavallino – Christ driving Traders from Temple – but it does not have such a grand scale nor show off with quite so much emotional power as Saint Bartholomew does. 30 years after we last saw it go on public display (at Metropolitan Museum in New York), let us rejoice now that we… Read More

London’s Southbank: Circa Contemporary Circus will premiere Humans 2.0

Humans circus

Based in Australia, international circus company Circa Contemporary Circus will bring the London premiere of Humans 2.0 to the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 12 – 16 April 2023. A circus in every sense of the world, they’ll take over London’s Southbank, right in the heart of town, to showcase their feats of balance, muscular control and teamwork. Humans 2.0 is a deeply primal show that showcases the beauty and mechanics of acrobatics. With a minimalist set, the show is aesthetically led by the physicality of the human body. A troupe of ten acrobats push their physical limits to the extreme with feats including hand-to-hand acrobatics, human towers and banquine, using the sheer human body as swings, climbing frames and supports. Themes that shine through are teamwork and trust, and the show asks; Can we ever find a perfect balance, or is adapting to constant change the only way forward?  Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, the production blends theatre with circus and dance. The score is created by one of the founding fathers of the techno scene in Israel, composer Ori Lichtik. For more info and to get a ticket, head to the Southbank Centre website

The only Australian photographic art you need for your walls

Through Our Lens wall art

Backpacker, traveller, expat of just lover of Australian scenery, this one’s for you. If you’re looking for something to fill the overwhelmingly empty surfaces of your four walls, then I’m pleased to introduce you to Through Our Lens by Australian based photography partners Edger Pudans and Norah Nguyen. They take the beauty that lies in around and under the Australian landscape and turn it into a moment you can dip into at any time, at your convenience, through photographic art pieces. Their story is sweet; they met in Uni and discovered their mutual love for photography and producing quality imagery of their surroundings. They honed their skill and these days, provide portals into Australiana to their global client base of people like you and I: locals, travellers and fans of the rugged beauty-come-urban centres that comprise one of the greatest countries on Earth; Australia. Especially our favourite coastal wall art! To take their words from their website, “For landscape photographers, a certain level of planning will always be a necessity. Being at the mercy of natural light and other elements like wind and cloud cover, it can be tricky to ensure you’re in the right spot at the right time to capture that perfect shot. But thanks to modern technology, Edgar and Norah don’t have to leave things up to chance. We use advanced applications like Sky Candy, designed to demonstrate the direction of sunlight during an allocated time of day. Based on the location of the shoot, this will help us determine the time… Read More

New London food and drink hub: Iyoki opens this December

Iyoki men chef

Ikoyi will welcome guests to its new home within London’s new space for the creative industries, 180 The Strand on London’s Northbank. And the time to get excited is now. With a dedicated entrance on the corner of Surrey Street, the larger restaurant and kitchen space will afford its co-founders, Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale, the freedom to focus on the future evolution of their pioneering restaurant.  You could describe the new Iyoki as “a restaurant beyond definition” and the core identity of Ikoyi will persist: a true form of global modernism that is placeless, free, unfixed and personal whilst symbolising the energy of its international city home. With an open kitchen, a larger dining space, an outdoor terrace, and a private dining room, the pair commissioned the acclaimed Danish architect and designer David Thulstrup, to help them create a cohesive union of all four spaces. This will be Thulstrup’s first hospitality commission in Britain. His aesthetic and practice of a contemporary approach to the Scandinavian values of simplicity and humility with a dash of boldness will be fully embraced at Ikoyi. See more at the Iyoki Instagram