Building bridges post-Brexit: London Gallery Weekend to pay for European curators to attend third edition
This year's event will include 13 new galleries and an expanded performance programme
The third edition of London Gallery Weekend (LGW)—the citywide event shining a light on the capital’s contemporary gallery scene—launches this summer (2-4 June) with an expanded performance programme and 13 new participants.
As with previous editions, galleries across central, east and south London are participating this year. In central London, Hauser & Wirth on Savile Row will show sculptures and paintings by US artist Gary Simmons while Alison Jacques gallery presents works depicting “dusky metropolises” by Jane Dickson.
In south London, the British-Ghanaian artist Larry Achiampong is showing new works at Copperfield. In the east end, Soft Opening gallery in Bethnal Green will unveil porcelain sculptures by the Japanese-Nigerian artist Narumi Nekpenekpen. Richard Saltoun gallery in Mayfair is also returning.
New participants this year include Pipeline and Phillida Reid in the centre of town and Sherbet Green on the east end's Hackney Road. Vardaxoglou gallery in Soho is another newcomer. Alex Vardaxoglou, the gallery founder, tells The Art Newspaper: "[LGW] is a great opportunity for a young gallery like mine to programme a significant exhibition that can reach a wider audience". It also "creates more public awareness for the dealers and galleries who are presenting good shows in London all year round", he adds. The participation fees range from £500 for smaller galleries to £3,300.
Meanwhile a number of artists will be selected later this year for the LGW performance programme organised in partnership with the public art commissioning body, UP Projects. Around five performances will be staged in the three LGW locations (2 June in central London, 3 June in south London and 4 June in east London). Further details of the performance commissions will be announced in May.
This year, LGW also builds bridges with Europe via a new bursary programme for curators from across the European Union. In 2022, LGW partnered with Art Fund to support costs for regional curators from 18 institutions across the UK to visit the capital. This year, up to 20 UK curators will be awarded travel and accommodation bursaries with Art Fund backing while approximately five curators from European countries will attend, supported by London Gallery Weekend.
