This week, we’ve been checking out the hottest art exhibitions happening in the capital this season for the creative minds out there that like to let their imagination loose. London is one of the top art destinations of the world and you simply cannot go wrong with any of the popular galleries or exhibitions scattered around the city that are guaranteed to intrigue you. Be inspired this spring with some of the latest art shows exclusively showcasing the incredible talent of an artist’s mind, or gaze upon the wonderful masterpieces sitting pretty in some of London’s famous galleries.
Founded in 1824, the five-star rated National Gallery has gone from displaying a very small collection of just 36 paintings, to now homing more than 2,000 pieces of artwork from pretty much every art school in Europe. It’s safe to say at this point that you simply can’t see every single masterpiece that sits in the National Gallery in one visit, but for a day out gazing upon the world’s greatest paintings, it is definitely worth getting yourself down to Trafalgar Square. Some of the most priceless art you’ll ever see is preserved in the National Gallery, with some recognizable names such as Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci appearing throughout your wander. Explore the gallery room by room or take the audio tour to help you find your way around and discover more about the paintings you see. Every painting tells an inspiring story, it’s up to you to imagine what that story is! If you have a rather artistic young-en in the family, the gallery welcomes all age groups and offers fun activities and workshops to get involved and maybe a bit messy! Finally, the best part is that entry is totally free along with a wide range of events for families and enthusiasts.
With a mission of public enjoyment and appreciation of British art from the 1500s to present, Tate is yet another famous name in the art industry that has significantly grown since its opening in 1897. The charitable organisation is made up of 4 sites around the UK totalling up to around 70,000 art works… and counting! Tate Modern along Southbank was created with the intention to showcase contemporary and international modern art as opposed to British art and an incredible over 40 million visitors have ventured through the doors of the gallery since opening in 2000. So what’s on this season? Alongside its astounding collection of diverse masterpieces, some highlight events worth considering include interesting talks about performing for a camera and your chance to get involved in creating a ‘One Minute Sculpture’. Artist Erwin Wurm is inviting you to help him out in demonstrating how he can limit a sculpture’s life time to just 60 seconds; using everyday objects and furniture, you’ll become a piece of art for one minute! From the 4th to the 8th July this year, Tate Modern is also offering the opportunity for artists to access the thinking behind running a major 21st Century museum. This week-long programme that explores the key issues that face art galleries of today and encourages ideas for innovation and experimentation is designed to inspire professional or aspiring artists. This exclusive opportunity is not one to be missed if you are intrigued by the functioning of a successful museum, so take a look at the Tate site for more details.
When you hear the word ‘portrait’, you probably think of Tudor royals posing in their best silk garments as an artist slowly and carefully creates an oil painting of them standing tall and powerful. If so, then yes you are partly right, but at the National Portrait Gallery in St. Martin’s Place, it’s quite a lot more than that. Over 200,000 people-themed art works, from the oiled Royals to photographs of today’s celebrities are displayed in various collections within the National Portrait Gallery and this spring is looking busy for events and activities for public participation. Following the hype of London Fashion Week this week, British Vogue magazine has collaborated with the gallery to celebrate 100 years of fashion with the ‘Vogue 100: A Century of Style’, showcasing a fantastic range of photography commissioned by Vogue since it’s founded year 1916. Prints and collections from over all these years are being combined together for the first time ever to tell the remarkable story of the British Vogue magazine. If the fashion week wasn’t inspiring enough for you fashionistas of the city, then be sure not to miss out on this exclusive celebratory event! Do you find you’re a bit of a doodler during the day or enjoy a bit of drawing to pass the time? Every Friday evening, the gallery opens a free drop-in drawing class that has proven popular for enthusiasts, joining with professional artists to let out your inner creativity and improve your drawing skills. If you find yourself stuck on something to do for an evening, why not head to the gallery for free live music events and unwind while swaying to talented singers, DJ’s and poets. Perfect for a chilled out couple of hours on a week night!
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