London has long laid at the beating heart of Britain’s arts and culture scene and it’s here that you can discover the world’s best loved artists in some of the most iconic galleries. National treasures and modern accomplishments lie side-by-side in a vibrant and diverse array of gallery spaces dotted across the city.
London boasts a huge selection of art galleries, but many of the most popular are central and easy to get to, such as the striking Tate Modern. The Thames Bankside gallery is a shrine to modern art of the 20th century, hosting impressive contemporary exhibitions from Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko to Duchamp and Man Ray. Most permanent exhibits are free of charge so you can take in the remarkable interior architecture of the Bankside Power Station, which houses the Tate, and marvel at the iconic work of some of your favourite contemporary artists at your leisure.
London’s Victoria and Albert museum, or simply the V&A, can be found in South Kensington. Exhibitions at the V&A are also mostly free, and offer a wealth of opportunity to experience the regal splendour of royal artefacts, ceramics and medieval treasures. Besides objets d’art, visitors to the V&A can also wander around interactive costume exhibits, which are great fun for kids, as well as significant art collections from around the world.
More National treasures can be unearthed at Trafalgar Square’s National Gallery. This busy and popular Gallery boasts entire wings of period art and hosts treasures by famous names from Van Eyck to Vermeer, Caravaggio to Constable and Rembrandt to Renoir. You could wile away hours absorbing the sights of any number of seminal artistic movements, and with free entry you can do so any day of the week!
Taking art in London bang up-to-date is the eponymous Saatchi Gallery, which brims with exhibits by artists both up-and-coming and established media darlings. Proprietor Charles Saatchi recently moved the gallery to Chelsea and it’s now housed within the impressive Duke of York’s HQ. With particular prominence given to the Emin’s, Hirst’s and Chapmans of contemporary art, the Saatchi Gallery always offers vital insight into the goings on in the modern art world.
Art galleries in London vary between grand establishments and unique private galleries, many of which can be found in the city’s Piccadilly and Albemarle Streets. White Cube, The Portland Gallery and Marlborough Fine Art are all fine examples of private galleries and are well worth a look for a more intimate art experience.
Getting around London to experience it all is simple with its well-integrated transport system that combines underground and over ground network solutions, including tubes, buses and black cabs. London is abuzz with art galleries and you could find yourself lost for time to see everything, however, with so many London hotels centrally located, you could find a short break ideal for experiencing the art of London in your own time.
By: Paul McIndoe
Posts Tagged ‘Bankside Power Station’
Discovering the Art of London
November 20th, 2009Wonderful Museums and Art Galleries in London
November 4th, 2009London is britain’s capital city & the world’s ninth largest city. It boasts an interesting history that spans almost 2000 years, which began when the romans arrived soon after they invaded england in AD43.
London is located on the banks of the river thames, in the south east of britain.
In 1863, rising traffic congestion on roads in london city centre led to the construction of the world’s first underground railway system, the london underground.
The city was badly bombed when the 2nd world war & plenty lives were lost. following the war, plenty buildings in the city had to be built again.
After world war 2, immigration changed London into one of the much culturally & racially diverse cities in Europe. Immigration was not always smooth, because there were massive race riots in brixton and notting hill, but intergration was certainly smoother than in other british regions.
The museums and art galleries in London are the perfect in the country. One of the best art galleries is the Tate Modern, which is situated on the site of the old Bankside Power Station. The art gallery opened in 2000 and it boasts a vast variety of permanent exhibits by artists including Warhol, Peter Blake and Picasso, as well as touring exhibitions. access to plenty exhibitions is free.
From unusual markets to designer stores, London boasts some wonderful shopping opportunities.
Oxford street is widely known as the finest shopping street in the uk. The street has topshop’s well-known flagship store, in addition to a major Selfridges, which has been there since 1909. recently, a major Primark store opened on the street & it has showed very popular with shoppers.
London boasts rich & varied night life, which has something for everyone. From elite celebrity bars & nightclubs, to peaceful pubs, you cannot fail to have a exciting evening out here.
London’s West End is well-known for its many theatres, which show a vast variety of musicals & other shows. The longest running production in the west end was Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap, which lasted for a major 26 years from 1952 – 2004. other popular shows include Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Cats & Mary Poppins.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our london tourist guide. If you need many more knowledge, get in touch with your nearby excursionist information centre.
By: Jenniffer Dilynardo
