The first trip of the year for me was indeed a great occasion to write about some cool galleries. I just came back from a long weekend in London, where I went to see the Sarah Lucas exhibition at Tate Britain, but I also carved out some time to visit my favorite contemporary art galleries. And although I have talked about London’s contemporary art galleries before, this time I decided to focus solely on Mayfair.
London is always a destination I revisit with great pleasure, and after 20+ years since my first visit, it is still stably in the top 3 of my favorite cities around the world. With a multitude of galleries showcasing cutting-edge and thought-provoking works, art enthusiasts find themselves spoiled for choice in the British capital. Granted you can spend months visiting all the galleries London has to offer, with new ones opening all the time, I decided to come up with a list of not-to-be-missed contemporary art galleries in Mayfair, that you can visit over a day or two if you are traveling to the British capital for a short trip.
Mayfair is an affluent neighborhood in the very center of London, enclosed between Oxford and Regent Street, Hyde Park, and Piccadilly. A stone throw away from popular tourist destinations, this area of London is easy to access, extremely beautiful, and makes for a perfect stop while wandering around the West End. This posh location is among the most expensive in the world, and here you can find high-end boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and amazing contemporary art galleries. The ones listed here are the most recognized internationally, but there is definitely more to explore. Many galleries in London’s Mayfair play a pivotal role in showcasing and supporting contemporary artists and the city in itself represents one the biggest contemporary art markets in the world, so it is clear that this is just a very small selection to break the ice. So, to introduce you to the wonders of London’s Mayfair galleries, here are the best galleries you need to visit.
Gagosian Gallery
Gagosian Gallery needs no introduction. This global powerhouse, with locations in major art cities around the world, is one of the most prominent galleries internationally. Given the importance of London as an art market, Gagosian has two locations in the city, both located in the charming Mayfair neighborhood. They represent a roster of internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, showcased in the massive space of Grosvenor Hill, a white cube where upon entrance you are teleported from Mayfair to the middle of New York City, with clean lines and big minimal windows. The other space on Davies Street is smaller and more private, even though you can easily spot it from afar thanks to its giant windows. If this is your first time in London, Gagosian locations in Mayfair are the perfect starting point for your exploration.
Gagosian Gallery
20 Grosvenor Hill, London
17–19 Davies Street, London
Info and opening hours: gagosian.com
Hauser & Wirth
Hauser & Wirth is yet another international gallery with locations in major art capitals and a roster of the most influential contemporary artists. Just like Gagosian, in London they have a space in Mayfair, on the posh and charming Savile Row. Here they showcase a dynamic program of contemporary art, representing a mix of artists from different backgrounds and nationalities, fostering a supportive environment for creativity. Hauser & Wirth is known for its commitment to presenting innovative and challenging exhibitions and the London location is no short of innovativations. Pair the visit with other galleries around the same area for the best gallery-hopping experience you can dream of.
Hauser & Wirth
23 Savile Row, London
Info and opening hours: hauserwirth.com
Sprüth Magers
Originally founded in Cologne, Germany, Sprüth Magers has a beautiful gallery space in the heart of Mayfair. Located just steps away from David Zwirner, you cannot miss the gallery. It is located inside a charming old building, with a big ornate window overlooking the street and giving passers-by a preview of the wonders on show inside the gallery. The gallery represents an international roster of artists, showcasing works across various mediums. Sprüth Magers is recognized for its commitment to presenting thought-provoking exhibitions that contribute to the discourse of contemporary art and the London location is the perfect example of this.
Sprüth Magers
7A Grafton Street, London
Info and opening hours: spruethmagers.com
David Zwirner
Another major powerhouse on the global market, with a location in London is David Zwirner. It represents more than seventy artists and estates, becoming the prime destination for innovative, singular, and pioneering exhibitions across a variety of media and genres. Active in both the primary and secondary markets, David Zwirner has helped foster the careers of some of the most influential artists working today and has maintained long-term representation of a wide-ranging, international group of artists.
The London gallery space is located in the heart of Mayfair, inside a prestigious building. You can easily visit it with Sprüth Magers, as they are just steps away one from the other, but you can also include it in a gallery-hopping tour around the neighborhood. Don’t forget to check the first floor of the gallery, as it develops over two different floors.
David Zwirner
24 Grafton St, London
Info and opening hours: davidzwirner.com
Sadie Coles HQ
Last but not least, I would recommend the gallery Sadie Coles HQ. One of the most influential art galleries not only in Mayfair but in the whole UK, and definitely one of my favorite galleries internationally, it represents some of my all-time favorite artists, like Sarah Lucas, the reason that brought me to London this time. Sadie Coles has three locations in London, one in Mayfair, one in St. James’s, and one close by in Soho. The gallery focuses on presenting the work of established and emerging international artists, and in the ’90s it was at the forefront of the Young British Artists movement. Nowadays it continues its work of scouting new talents but also presents well-established artists across its three venues. Check the Soho location on the first floor for the most beautiful window overlooking the neighborhood and Carnaby Street.
Sadie Coles HQ
1 Davies Street, London
62 Kingly Street, London
8 Bury Street, London
Info and opening hours: sadiecoles.com
Cover photo by Aaron Gilmore on Unsplash
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