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Doing London Now

Above MOLLY GODDARD SS20

Above MOLLY GODDARD

Above MOLLY GODDARD SS20

Above MOLLY GODDARD

Above MOLLY GODDARD SS20

6 June — 15 July 2022
Christie’s King Street, London
https://www.christies.com/en/events/special-events/london-now/what-is-on

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.

Viewing Eggs of an Era: Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee

Above

Eggs of an Era: Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee
16 May — 12 June 2022
Various locations across Chelsea, London
https://elephant-family.org/eggs-of-an-era/

Remember the spectacular herds of life-size elephant sculptures that took up residence in London’s Royal Parks last year? Well, now it’s the turn of life-sized eggs. Yep, really.

Currently installed across the Cadogan Estate in Chelsea are seven unique egg-shaped masterpieces, each representing a different decade of the Queen’s historic 70-year reign, created by leading contemporary artists including Emily Powell, Sasha Compton and Simon Emery.

Conceived by the Elephant Family — the charity on a mission to protect Asia’s wildlife and the force behind the elephant exhibition — in collaboration with Clarence Court eggs, this free public art exhibition aims to raise awareness around the impact of egg poaching.

The seven egg sculptures will be auctioned off next year, with proceeds going towards conservation work in South Asia. If you’re keen to purchase an egg, log your interest asap via the Elephant Family website.

Doing Sotheby’s Jubilee Arts Festival

Sotheby’s Jubilee Arts Festival
Times and dates vary
Sotheby’s London
https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/jubilee-arts-festival

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.