Opening at Christie’s this week is London Now, a summer festival of exhibitions, events and auctions that celebrate the capital as one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world.
Headlining the festival is ‘The Art of Literature’, a dedicated series of events exploring the relationship between art and literature. Not to be missed is The Art of Literature: Auction Highlights Exhibition (6 – 15 June), an immersive showcase of the top lots from across Christie’s summer auction season with fashion by Molly Goddard. Expect to see lots of tulle, taffeta, organdie and silk, as wondrous looks from her archive collections — including her Autumn/Winter 2019 Ready-to-Wear collection, inspired by Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles — are suspended from the ceiling.
Also on display is The Art of Literature: Loan and Selling Exhibition (6 June – 14 July), a cross-category showcase featuring works of art inspired by the written word, as well as the novels, poetry, drama and stories which have inspired them.
Curated by Christie’s next generation of specialists, the exhibition seeks to spark new conversations around the links between the literary and the visual arts. ‘We have relished the opportunity to thread a narrative between writers and artists from the classical period to the present day,’ says co-curator Annabelle Scholar. ‘Works of art and literature on show will range from Dante to Hilary Mantel, and Roman antiquities to Marlene Dumas’. Much of the festival is open to the public (and free), so hop online to browse the full programme of events.
In honour of Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch ever, Sotheby’s is staging a month-long programme of exhibitions, events and auctions. Until 15 June, the Bond Street galleries will host specially curated exhibitions of royal portraits, rare aristocratic jewels and important manuscripts, including works loaned from prestigious private collections.
Must-see treasures include the iconic Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I on loan from The Woburn Abbey Collection and a rare Warhol painting of Queen Elizabeth II. Offered in British Art: The Jubilee Auction on 29 June — a sale dedicated to the very best of British art from across the centuries — is a new unique work donated by Chris Levine.
In addition to the royal-themed exhibitions and auctions, Sotheby’s has curated a diverse programme of talks, debates and musical and dramatic performances inspired by creativity in all its forms, from art, music and literature to food and fashion.
On our radar is the tiara talk on 7 June between jewellery designer Kiki McDonough and Sotheby’s expert Kristian Spofforth and the series of immersive performances by graduates of the Royal College of Dramatic Art. We also recommend snapping up a ticket for the conversation on 13th June at 6.30pm between Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid, writer Lauren Elkin, Head of Modern, Contemporary African Art at Sotheby’s Hannah O’Leary and art historian Carrie Scott. Hop to it.
