Gemma Rolls-Bentley

My route takes us through central London to see some of my favourite queer artists.

From solo exhibitions to dynamic group shows, this route highlights some of the most exciting queer artists working today; each of these shows includes an artist featured in my book Queer Art; From Canvas to Club and the Spaces Between. Cap off your day with a well-earned drink at my favourite London gay bar!

Start off your day at Lisson Gallery with Dr. Omar Kholeif’s latest curated exhibition, Finding My Blue Sky, which he has described as his 'love-letter to London'. The exhibition, which features 27 brilliant artists, was born out of conversations between Omar and the artist Lubaina Himid, whose murals can be seen on the exterior walls of the Bell Street gallery.

Next, head to Maximillian William to see Ro Robertson’s solo exhibition. Robertson’s third solo show at the gallery, Holder Up, delves into Robertson's familial ties to industrial labor, particularly inspired by their great-grandfather's role as a 'Holder Up' in the shipyards—a worker who braced red-hot rivets during construction. Ro is one of my favourite UK-based artists. We’ve worked together on multiple projects, including a new exhibition at Wolterton Hall in Norfolk, which is open all summer.

Continue your journey at Albion Jeune to see a group exhibition featuring a hot lineup of New York-based female artists. The show explores abjection, corporeality and animalism through the lens of George Bataille’s concept of ‘base materialism’. This is a rare opportunity to see work by Ambera Wellman, whose dark and visceral paintings take a long time to make, so chances to view them are few and far between. I’ve had some religious experience moments in front of Ambera’s work—I hope you do too!

A visit to Hauser & Wirth brings you face-to-face with Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s paintings. A very exciting moment for the London-based artist who has recently joined Hauser’s roster, this is her first solo show with the gallery and it promises to be brilliant. I chose a painting by Michaela to be the final work in my book because her visual language is full of resilience, joy and hope. This exhibition, titled No Time for Despair, might just be the tonic we all need in these increasingly troubling times.

No queer art route would be complete without a nod to the legendary David Hockney. At Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert, experience a carefully selected exhibition celebrating his early work, In the Mood for Love: Hockney in London, 1960–1963. Homosexuality was not decriminalised in the UK until 1967 (and even then it was only over the age of 21), which makes Hockney’s vivid portrayals of queer intimacy all the more powerful.

I would then swing by the ICA because you’ll be right there. Why not take the opportunity to visit the gallery’s brilliant book shop and catch the final weekend of Nora Turato’s first solo show in the UK. The ICA stays open until 11pm and it’s always quite vibey in the evenings. End your day at Retro Bar, a beloved spot in London’s queer scene. Nestled just off the Strand, this intimate and historic bar offers the perfect setting for a post-gallery drink. Raise a glass to the artists who celebrate queer culture and push boundaries in their work—they’re helping pave the way for a better future for us all.