Art

London Alert: The Courtauld Gallery is Closing for 2 Years – Visit by September!

Jul 20, 2018 By jonathan

It's pretty common for London's museums to be variously closed while renovations are done. Next up is the Courtauld Gallery, the art gallery located in Somerset House. This small gallery is often overshadowed by the bigger National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, practically across the street but it's home to some amazing art. As with most museums in London, the building … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Courtauld Gallery is Closing for 2 Years – Visit by September!

Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend

May 16, 2018 By Laura Porter

The Royal Academy of Arts is hardly new. In fact, it's celebrating it's 250th anniversary this year. But to mark the occasion the RA has undergone an enormous transformation and expansion. And the new Royal Academy is opening on Saturday 19 May 2018. About The Royal Academy The RA was founded in 1768 by a group of 40 artists and architects who became the first Royal … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend

First Statue in Parliament Square of a Women Unveiled Today – Suffragist Leader Millicent Fawcett

Apr 24, 2018 By jonathan

History was made today in Parliament Square, located directly across from the Palace of Westminster. For 200-years great leaders have been honoured with a statue in front of the Houses of Parliament. Lincoln, Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela are just a few of the names. But one thing all those names had in common was that they were men despite the many important women in Britain's … [Read more...] about First Statue in Parliament Square of a Women Unveiled Today – Suffragist Leader Millicent Fawcett

Trafalgar Square: The Fourth Plinth Has a New Artwork – Replica of Statue Destroyed by ISIS

Mar 29, 2018 By jonathan

Goodbye, giant Thumb's Up, hello Lamassu. The fourth plinth is one of the best public art projects in London. Every few years, a new artwork is put on display on the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square (empty for a statue that was never made). It's prime place directly in front of the National Gallery is a great place to display a large work of art. There have been some … [Read more...] about Trafalgar Square: The Fourth Plinth Has a New Artwork – Replica of Statue Destroyed by ISIS

Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around

Feb 16, 2018 By Laura Porter

Editor's Note: This article is made up of extracts from the 2018 London Annual Guide to London in 2018 written by London expert Laura Porter. It's a massive article - over 20 print pages - too big to post here in one go. We still have copies of the Annual - you can get them here (we're almost out though so move quickly). But since people are planning trips for 2018, I thought … [Read more...] about Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around

The New Piccadilly Circus Billboard: A Review

Feb 7, 2018 By jonathan

In this article, I’m going to review a billboard. But not just any billboard, the most famous billboard in the world. Well, in London at least. I’m talking about, of course, the new electronic billboard that has replaced the previous iconic billboards at the heart of Piccadilly Circus. First some terminology - in Britain they don’t really use the word billboard. It’s a … [Read more...] about The New Piccadilly Circus Billboard: A Review

Laura’s London: Charles I: King and Collector – Royal Academy Exhibition Review – New Exhibition Alert!

Jan 26, 2018 By Laura Porter

Charles I had one of the most extraordinary and influential art collections. For the first time since the 17th century, this landmark exhibition at the Royal Academy has brought together the astounding treasures that changed the taste of the nation. Charles I: King and Collector reunites 140 of the most important works of art, ranging from classical sculptures to Baroque … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Charles I: King and Collector – Royal Academy Exhibition Review – New Exhibition Alert!

Great London Buildings – The Old BBC Television Centre

Jan 25, 2018 By John Rabon

Now a symbol of London’s ever-changing nature as new development takes over; Television Centre was once home to the UK’s most beloved dramas, comedies, and cultural programs. It was constructed specifically to be the BBC’s first dedicated television broadcasting studios and would oversee the news and such memorable shows as Blue Peter, Doctor Who, Top of the Pops, Monty … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – The Old BBC Television Centre

Laura’s London: Lumiere London Review – Was It Worth It? Yes, Yes It Was.

Jan 22, 2018 By Laura Porter

Lumiere London brought over fifty light installations to six areas of central London for the UK's largest light festival. (But you knew that already, surely, as you saw my Lumiere London preview, didn't you?) I went out on the first night to see the fun. Something to Compare As we had Lumiere London here in 2016 Londoners were able to make a comparison. Last time it … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Lumiere London Review – Was It Worth It? Yes, Yes It Was.

Lumiere London 2018 – The Incredible Festival of Lights Returns to London – Preview

Jan 15, 2018 By Laura Porter

In London later this week? This you're in for a treat. Lumiere London was last here in January 2016 and everyone is really looking forward to it returning this month. Even though I live in London, last time I booked a hotel stay in central London so I could walk to see a lot of the lights but this year I'll be travelling in from home (zone 3) so I'll need to do a lot more … [Read more...] about Lumiere London 2018 – The Incredible Festival of Lights Returns to London – Preview

Laura’s London: New Exhibition Report – Charles II: Art and Power at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

Dec 11, 2017 By Laura Porter

After over a decade of austere Cromwellian rule, the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 led to a resurgence of the arts in England. The court of Charles II became the centre for the patronage of leading artists and the collecting of great works of art. This served not only as decoration for the royal apartments but also as a means of glorifying the restored monarchy and … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: New Exhibition Report – Charles II: Art and Power at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

Anglotopia Imports Alert: New Products Live – Custom Wentworth Jigsaw Puzzles – Gold Hill, Churchill, Paintings and More!

Nov 9, 2017 By jonathan

We've been working on this for quite some time and we're really excited about it. Exclusive to Anglotopia we’ve commissioned three custom puzzles from Wentworth Puzzles, a company based in Wiltshire, England that specializes in making beautiful wooden puzzles. Each 250 piece puzzle will come in a beautiful box from Wentworth and you can store your puzzle in a … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Imports Alert: New Products Live – Custom Wentworth Jigsaw Puzzles – Gold Hill, Churchill, Paintings and More!

The London Fiver – Five Interesting Pieces of Public Art in London

Jul 31, 2017 By John Rabon

As John Cleese famously said in the “Michaelangelo and the Pope” sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.” Art can take many forms, some of which we may not quite understand. Regardless of whether we “get it” or not, public art has been shown to improve the quality of life in a city’s residents. London certainly has its … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Interesting Pieces of Public Art in London

London Art: St Pancras Gets Beautiful New Art Installation – The Interpretation of Movement

Jun 27, 2017 By jonathan

One of the coolest things to happen since St Pancras Station was refurbished a few years ago was that they regularly have new art installations. They've just unveiled the latest one called The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue). About the work: The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue), 2017, will be Conrad Shawcross’ largest mechanical work to date, stretching … [Read more...] about London Art: St Pancras Gets Beautiful New Art Installation – The Interpretation of Movement

Great London Buildings – The Tate Modern

Mar 1, 2017 By John Rabon

There's an old line from Monty Python's Flying Circus that goes, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like." Modern art may certainly seem strange to a lot of people, due to the fact that it can include just about anything, doesn't necessarily depict traditional subjects, and can utilise some unusual materials in its creation. However, it is art nonetheless, and … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – The Tate Modern

London Transport Museum Announces Major 2017 Exhibitions

Oct 27, 2016 By jonathan

We got this news a little too late to include in the 2017 London Annual but the London Transport Museum has announced their two major exhibitions for 2017. Here are the details from the London Transport Museum. Prize for Illustration 2017: Sounds of the City 19 May to 3 September 2017 Sounds of the City - an exhibition of 100 illustrations that interpret artists’ … [Read more...] about London Transport Museum Announces Major 2017 Exhibitions

London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months

Sep 22, 2016 By jonathan

The Painted Hall, at the Old Royal Naval College, one of the Jewels of Greenwich will be closing for 6 months from Sunday. This is one of the most amazing things you need to see in Greenwich but if you're planning on seeing it for the next 6 months, remove it from your itineraries. Why is it closing? The Old Royal Naval College received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Painted Hall in Greenwich is Closing for 6 Months

Londonism: Clapham Common Tube Station Overtaken by Cats

Sep 15, 2016 By jonathan

Now, this is a lovely news story. Clapham Common Tube Station in London has been overtaken by cats. Citizens Advertising Takeover Service (CATS) ran a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise funds to remove all the ads in a Tube Station and replace them with pictures of cats. They were a success and now the cats are now 'live' in the station on all the advertising … [Read more...] about Londonism: Clapham Common Tube Station Overtaken by Cats

10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Victoria and Albert Museum You Might Not Know

Aug 7, 2015 By John Rabon

Founded in 1852, this museum of architectural and decorative arts was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. One of the many buildings in Kensington that spotlights the pair’s love and patronage of the arts and sciences, it was part of the area known as “Albertopolis”, in the prince’s honour. Originally part of the Great Exhibition, it continues on to show great works of … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about the Victoria and Albert Museum You Might Not Know

Art Utopia: 10 Interesting Facts and Figure about the National Gallery You Might Not Know

Apr 9, 2015 By John Rabon

Established in 1824, the National Gallery was established a response to the increase of art purchases by the British government. The first building used for it was No. 100 Pall Mall, the former townhouse of the late John Julius Angerstein, whose estate also contributed to the Gallery’s collection. Construction on the current Gallery building began in 1832 and was completed in … [Read more...] about Art Utopia: 10 Interesting Facts and Figure about the National Gallery You Might Not Know

London Alert: Britain’s National Gallery Bans the Use of the Selfie Stick

Mar 11, 2015 By jonathan

The most annoying photographic device ever created has been officially banned from the National Gallery in London. The selfie stick is no longer allowed to be used within the museum, they are now classed in the same category as tripods - which are also banned. According to the BBC: The gallery says it has placed them in the same category as tripods, which are banned "in … [Read more...] about London Alert: Britain’s National Gallery Bans the Use of the Selfie Stick

Fourth Plinth: Trafalgar Square Gets a New Statue – This Time a Horse

Mar 6, 2015 By jonathan

It's time for a new statue on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. As many of you may know, they change the statue every few years, giving artists a chance to do something unique with the place. The last statue was a giant blue cockerel. The chicken has given away to a giant horse skeleton statue. I have a feeling it will be terrifying small children for the next couple … [Read more...] about Fourth Plinth: Trafalgar Square Gets a New Statue – This Time a Horse

Classic London Double Decker Bus Gets a Giant Knitted Sweater

Dec 8, 2014 By jonathan

The soft drink company 7up has teamed up with Magda Sayeg, the pioneer of urban knitting to do what she does best – yarn bombing. Watch as she and her team transform an old London Routemaster into the colourful Number 7up Bus, with endless lengths of yarn knitted into vibrant designs. Magda and the Number 7up bus then take a tour of the city, spreading creativity and cheer as … [Read more...] about Classic London Double Decker Bus Gets a Giant Knitted Sweater

Amazing London: Stunning Optical Illusion Makes Covent Garden Appear to Lift Off

Oct 7, 2014 By jonathan

A bit of Covent Garden appears to have broken off and lifted into the air, creating an amazing optical illusion. The installation, named Take my Lightning but Don't steal my Thunder, was created by the artist Alex Chinneck, who is well known for creating optical illusions. The 12-meter-long sculpture has been made from a steel frame and a type of expanded polystyrene … [Read more...] about Amazing London: Stunning Optical Illusion Makes Covent Garden Appear to Lift Off

Laura’s London: Laura Gets an Exclusive Early Look at the New Late Turner Tate Britain Exhibition

Sep 10, 2014 By Laura Porter

This is the first major exhibition to survey the achievements of JMW Turner (1775-1851) during his final period (1835-50) when he was 60 to 75 years old. The exhibition reassesses Turner's extraordinary body of work during this period which often received open and hostile criticism. 60 years old was considered the time marker for the onset of senility. We have to remember … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Laura Gets an Exclusive Early Look at the New Late Turner Tate Britain Exhibition

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