This weekend, London’s annual celebration of its internationally renowned gallery district is back. Taking place from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th June 2022, Mayfair’s leading galleries will be showcasing the best in contemporary art. Within the all completely free weekend, thirty of the UK’s most renowned galleries will present modern and contemporary paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, installation, performance, talks and events.
Visitors can expect to see a diverse and large range of artists and exhibitions by esteemed regulars such as Hauser & Wirth, BASTIAN, Royal Academy of Arts and Richard Saltoun Gallery. However, this year galleries including Pace, No. 9 Cork Street | Frieze, Carl Kostyál and Sapling will be among new participating galleries.
We chat to Mayfair Art Weekend’s Project Manager, Cherie Silver, to find out more about why it is worth a visit and what to expect at this year’s celebration, especially the popular Mayfair Sculpture Trail…
When and why was the Mayfair Art Weekend established?
Mayfair Art Weekend came about in 2014 because a group of local gallerists who used to meet regularly want two things: firstly, to find a way spotlight the important contribution galleries made to the area as a way to fight back against the looming threat of rent rises that were driving them out of the area; and secondly, to welcome in new visitors to their galleries. John Martin and Johnny Messum were the original founders, with John Martin Gallery celebrating with a 30-year anniversary exhibition on now.
What’s different to visiting the Mayfair Art Weekend, as opposed to viewing galleries any other time?
Mayfair Art Weekend makes it easy for you, with a map in hand you know which galleries are open and will welcome you into their spaces, regardless of whether you are a buyer or not. The amazing event ambassadors will be across the area to help you find galleries you may never have known about. There are also a lot of galleries which don’t open over the weekends, so the event provides a fantastic opportunity to visit galleries out of hours, whether late for the Gallery HOP! on Friday until 8pm, or with extended hours on Saturday and Sunday.
What can we expect this year?
From project spaces to mega galleries Mayfair and Mayfair Art Weekend has it all! With around 30 exhibitions spotlighted in our programme we actually think it is possible to visit them all in one day – with the aim of finishing at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Schools Show!
We’ve got talks, tours and family activities throughout the weekend, as well as the May Fair Showreel – an event dedicated to moving image artworks taking place in the luxurious May Fair Theatre.
For the second year selected galleries are hosting “Access All Areas”, with members of their team giving behind the scenes insight into their roles within the galleries to 16 – 25 year-olds, such as Bryan Dooley who is the art handler & technician from Hauser & Wirth.
In terms of exhibitions – there are lots!
There are two anniversary exhibitions on – the one mentioned above at John Martin Gallery, and a 45 Year celebration of Browse & Darby at their Cork Street location. At both of these shows you will be treated to a selection of works which span each gallery’s exhibition history – from Gwen John and Edgas Degas at Browse & Darby to Gennadii Gogoliuk and William Peers at John Martin Gallery.
The artist studios at 48 Brook Street have been a highlight since 2020 – with the opportunity to meet with explore the work of artists and makers.
Two galleries have gone all out with immersive installations: at Richard Saltoun Gallery you’ll enter into the performance by Romina de Novallis and then step into a room filled with hay. Under your feet at Mazzoleni you’ll also find an unexpected texture to draw you into the work of Marinella Senatore.
The small galleries can do big things, with Sapling and Holtermann Fine Art proving this with gusto.
A visit to all of the major galleries – Pace Gallery, Hauser & Wirth and David Zwirner are always very much worth a visit. The sculptures by Larry Bell at Hauser & Wirth are particularly impressive!
Can you tell us about the Mayfair Sculpture Trail?
The Mayfair Sculpture Trail is a fantastic collaboration with Art in Mayfair – who also do the wonderful banners in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Arts on Bond Street, with designs by Mali Morris RA this year to coincide with the Summer Exhibition 2022. Mayfair is a fantastic area to explore on a day out and the sculpture trail gives you an opportunity to discover art alongside the green squares which many people don’t even know exist. The galleries in the area have the opportunity to showcase art beyond their walls.
In Grosvenor Square you’ll find two sculptures, Lee Gil Rae’s Human-Shaped Pine Tree (presented by Opera Gallery) and Maurice Blik’s Dancing (presented by Bowman Sculpture); in Berkeley Square you’ll find the monumental work of David Breuer-Weil (presented by E&R Cyzer); while in Hanover Square you’ll find Yoshitomo Nara’s Peace Head (presented by Pace Gallery). Back on Bond Street, Andy Denzler’s Selfie (presented by Opera Gallery) acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy; while Kojo Marfo’s Treasure of the Heart (presented by JD Malat Gallery) has already proven to be a showstopper. Finally, on Old Bond Street, Michael Speller’s figures in Nourish (presented by Clarendon Fine Art) melt like stalactites. We put a free audio guide for you to follow along where you’ll hear all about these works as well as the temporary public art that you can find in Mayfair all year round.
What is the best way to enjoy the Mayfair Art Weekend?
If you like to go at your own pace grab a map and spend a few hours wandering in and out of a few galleries, and exploring the sculptures and green spaces as you go. If you prefer a more structured visit, we also have some guided tours on Saturday which are open to the public to book onto.
Are there any highlights that you’d like to share?
We are always impressed by the curatorial work in these independent commercial galleries, creating shows worthy of a room in a major museum. Curator highlights would include: Wolf Vostell at Cardi Gallery; Hans Hartung at Waddington Custot; Billy Apple at The Mayor Gallery; Romina De Novellis at Richard Saltoun Gallery; My Profile at The Koppel Project; Emile Nolde at BASTIAN, and Marinella Senatore at Mazzoleni.
https://www.mayfairartweekend.com/
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