Ever wanted to see London’s headlining exhibitions in the evening? Well for several night this year you’ll be able to thanks to a new initiative from Art of London.
Launching on March 23, some of London’s best independent galleries, such as Cristea Roberts, 3812 Gallery and Stern Pissarro, will stay open until 9pm for visitors to enjoy. Then on March 24, art institutions including The National Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts join the event, also be keeping their doors open until 9pm.
The idea is that art lovers will be able to pop between galleries throughout the evening. Mark Williams, Director of Art of London, said: “Art of London is thrilled to unite the West End’s leading institutions and galleries for this late-night culture programme on a scale never done before.
“Art After Dark opens up the art world to a new generation of night owls, who can now experience incredible exhibitions alongside their visits to the West End’s best restaurants and bars.”
These late-night events will take place three times across the year and are free to attend.
In March there will also be a specially curated art to run alongside the gallery shows. Partnering with Mayfair Art Weekend, there’ll be three new illuminated immersive installations in Piccadilly Circus, St James’s Market and St James’s Churchyard.
The first piece, Absorbed By Light, has been designed by Gali May Lucas and sculpted by Karoline Hinz, while pieces Crossroads and Exponential have been designed by Lucid Creates, a collective who have built a reputation for their large-scale spectacular light shows and installations.
Jo Prosser, a director at the Royal Academy of Arts, said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome people to our exhibitions in new and different ways, and at times of day to suit them. Art After Dark makes for a great experience at the end of a working day or as a start to an evening out… we’re happy to be part of it.”
Jane Knowles, a director at The National Gallery, said: “We are delighted that our Friday late openings are going to be a part of Art After Dark when public and private galleries in London will be keeping their doors open late. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Gallery’s free permanent collection and our new free exhibition Nalini Malani: My Reality is Different, a spectacular 40-metre high animation chamber.”
The National Portrait Gallery will also take part in the initiative when it reopens in June. Ros Lawler, Chief Operating Officer at the National Portrait Gallery, said: “The National Portrait Gallery will be welcoming visitors back through its new doors on 22 June, and in our reopening year, we’re delighted to be working with the Art of London team to give visitors even more access to our exhibitions, Collections, shop and restaurants, out of hours.”
