Founded by the advertising-tycoon-turned art collector Charles Saatchi in 1985, Saatchi Gallery off Kings Road in Chelsea has since become a global authority in contemporary art, having been the first to showcase works by emerging artists who are now household names such as Bruce Nauman, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. The gallery recently presented JR: Chronicles – the largest solo museum exhibition to date by the French artist JR. Here we take a look at the gallery’s current and upcoming exhibitions.

New exhibitions

Journeys: The Healing Arts will run until Thursday 13 January 2022. It features works from the CW+, the charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and aims to enhance the environment and improve patient outcomes at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The exhibition features a new commission created by the musician and artist Brian Eno, titled Midlands, which aims to relieve some of the anxiety and pain patients might be experiencing. Another work by Anouk Mercier, titled 50 Nurses, features 50 portraits of nurses to reflect on the lack of female representation throughout the hospital archives and the charity’s historic art collection.

London Grads Now. 21, runs until Sunday 16 January 2022. The exhibition features 200 works made by MA graduates from seven of London’s leading art schools including Goldsmiths, University of London; Chelsea College of Arts; Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, offering a glimpse into London’s emerging arts scene. The pieces focus on themes such as environmentalism, gender identity, race politics and the human psyche and span performance, painting, sculpture, photography and drawing.

The Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, says, “This exhibition showcases some of the best new artistic talent our city has to offer and represents another brilliant reason for visitors and Londoners to come back into central London to visit our world class galleries as part of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign. More than 200 artworks created by the next generation of artists are on display. Each one represents a triumph for art against the setbacks faced by so many emerging artists during the pandemic."

Upcoming exhibitions

Bob Marley: One Love Experience is set to take visitors on a journey through the life of the titular reggae singer from Wednesday 2 February to Monday 18 April 2022. Delve into photographs and memorabilia to learn more about the singer’s passions and influences, and celebrate his enduring legacy. Produced by Terrapin Station Entertainment in conjunction with the Marley family, the show gives visitors the chance to listen to Marley hits such as No Woman No Cry in a Soul Shakedown Studio, while The Beautiful Life area will allow you to discover Marley’s personal joys.

 

How to get there

Saatchi Gallery is near Sloane Square, just a 10-minute walk from Jumeirah Carlton Tower. The gallery occupies the Grade II-listed Duke of York's headquarters, featuring original wooden sash windows and 13 exhibition halls spanning three floors. It also has a shop, educational facilities and a restaurant café and bar. Admission is free.

Browse the work of emerging artists and collect their art in London when you stay at Jumeirah Carlton Tower.