Saatchi Gallery

Saatchi (such a) vibrant gallery! 

Just by the Duke of York Square, a less-than-10-minute walk from the Sloane Square Station, stands the Saatchi Gallery which houses contemporary art exhibitions and is worth the visit while in the Area.

The exterior of the gallery is really cinematic; the building and its surroundings gave off the vibe of a New England college, especially with the autumn season kicking in. 

In contrast, when you enter the building, it is modern, with cool white walls and simple reception desks where you can purchase tickets for different exhibitions.

However, there are free exhibitions on the ground floor, which are the ones we went to see. 

The first exhibition we entered was Samuel Nnorom: Multitude or Minority, which displayed sculptures made out of bundles, bubbles, and ribbons of fabric weaved together to be interpreted as collective survival, connection, and aspiration.

The artist Nnorom integrates African textiles in his sculptures, which, to him, encapsulate the social structure in which humanity and society intertwine.

It was interesting to see the intricacy of the sculptures with the different fabrics.

I quickly understood that the artist meant to show that although we are different, we are still connected by humanity. 

The next exhibition we visited was The Walls Between Us, which explores the idea of “home” through the perspective of 12 different artists, since “home” may vary between different people.

This exhibition is my favorite because the artworks show that all the artists have thought of home differently; some think home is their bed, a neighborhood, or the food on their table.

It was heart-warming to see the artworks and knowing that everyone has a place where they belong, a place to call home. 

The final exhibition we visited was Unreal City: Abstract Painting in London, where three generations of artists, born between 1934 and 1995, presented abstraction’s past to move forward to the future.

I am not one for abstract art because I find it hard to understand what the artists are trying to convey—the meaning behind the randomness.

But I really liked one of the works, where the colors feel harmonious. It depicts what looks like a sky full of clouds or a mother-of-pearl shade. It was really pretty, and I felt that this painting signifies that there will always be something to look forward to. 

After finishing all the free exhibitions, we headed for the gift shop where there were so many brilliant things you could buy as a souvenir or a gift for someone.

There were books, film paraphernalia, games, and many more trinkets.

They were all really fun, and I think they would make good decor for a house if you are one for a modern, funky vibe. 

I think the Saatchi Gallery is such a good experience for contemporary art in London and I would visit it again for other future exhibitions. Be sure to check out their website for their latest exhibitions and find out about tickets if you want to see an exhibition that requires entry fees. 

Location:

Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY

Written by Althea Scully