LONDON, UK, 18 September 2020 – Following the successful re-opening of its main galleries, Saatchi Gallery is pleased to announce the extension of its exhibition ‘London Grads Now.’ The exhibition will now run until Sunday, October 11th 2020. In spite of the challenges caused by the pandemic, the overwhelmingly positive feedback for London Grads Now. has shown that the appetite of visitors to see new and fresh art continues to thrive.
‘London Grads Now.’ presents over 200 works by more than 150 graduating artists. The exhibition is the result of Saatchi Gallery working alongside curators from London’s leading fine art schools including; Royal College of Arts, UCL: Slade School of Arts, Goldsmiths: University of London, UAL: Chelsea College of Arts, UAL: Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL: Camberwell College of Arts and UAL: Central Saint Martins London, and brings together works that would normally have been exhibited in a series of split graduate shows through the summer. Since the cancellation and delay of physical shows in 2020 across the city, ‘London Grads Now.’ at Saatchi Gallery provides a platform for the artists to present and sell their works, with all proceeds going directly to the artists.
The impressive collaborative effort follows the celebration of 35 years of Saatchi Gallery showcasing art from emerging British and international artists to a wide as possible audience. Saatchi Gallery, which transitioned to a charitable organisation in 2019 and relies upon private donations and public support, has a strong commitment to expanding and improving the knowledge and passion for contemporary art. London Grads Now. is a key part of that ongoing commitment.
Quotes from Curators & Artists
Juan Bolivar, lecturer and curator for the selection of works from UAL: Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon, adds:
“’London Grads Now.’ at Saatchi Gallery has been a hugely inspiring and rewarding experience for all those involved; specially for a new generation of artists working through difficult times, whose aspirations had been curtailed overnight due to the pandemic outbreak. The exhibition is a reminder of the power and beauty of collaboration during challenging circumstances and will be remembered as a time when we came together to create this unique opportunity for students, tutors, artists, and the public at large, to fully engage with art again.”
MFA graduate and curator of the selected works from UCL: Slade School of Art, Victoria Cantons, mentions:
“It has been incredible to experience the response and the vitality of both the artists and the visitors. The selected works broaden the mind, raises spirits and encourages the viewer to either revisit a forgotten idea or see the world in a new way. ‘London Grads Now.’ is the activist that brings us together, generates dialogue and has the power to transform.”
Curator for the selected works from Royal College of Art, Mandy Franca comments: “The exhibition gives a generation of truly talented artists the chance to share their works with the world in a physical space and with this not only the opportunity to have an [external] degree show, but also a better start to their careers in the art world.”
London Grads Now. is the first Saatchi Gallery exhibition that is entirely curated by lecturers and postgraduate students including; Mandy Franca (curator of selected works from Royal College of Art), Victoria Cantons (curator of selected works from UCL: Slade School of Art), Januario Jano (curator of selected works from Goldsmiths, University of London), Juan Bolivar (curator of selected works from UAL: Chelsea College of Arts, UAL: Wimbledon College of Arts and UAL: Camberwell College of Arts), and Mazzy-Mae Green & Greta Voeller (curators of selected works from UAL: Central Saint Martins). The promotional material for the show was designed by Graphic Design graduates Abbie Liley and Lili Philips (from UAL: Central Saint Martins).
Saatchi Gallery also extends special thanks & recognition for the generous support of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery.
The health & safety of visitors and staff remains our priority. Saatchi Gallery will be following government advice on health & safety measures including:
Social distancing throughout our building
Operating one-way navigation throughout our spaces
