Must-See Art Guide: London

This week's guide features Robert Mapplethorpe, Ai Weiwei, Mai-Thu Perret, and more.

Wang Chuangchuang, Shoot to Thrill (2016). Courtesy of Arthill Gallery.

With the Miami hoopla winding down, art goers are returning home to prepare for the holiday season. If you find yourself in London, there’s always a lot to see, but you’re probably too busy to sort through it all. You’re slammed with work, shopping, contemplating a post-Brexit life, so we’ll get straight to the point: This is the art you need to see. We’ve put together a list of galleries with current exhibitions that warrant a break and a detour so you don’t have to. Skip the long lines and crowds at the Tate or Victoria and Albert Museum and focus on the city’s gallery scene, and consider this a welcome distraction from your family obligations. Go sit in front of some art instead.

Carl Laubin, Walhalla (2016). Courtesy of Plus One Gallery.

Carl Laubin, Walhalla (2016). Courtesy of Plus One Gallery.

Exhibition: Carl Laubin: A Sentimental Journey
When:
November 22–December 16, 2016
Where:
Plus One Gallery, B & C Trafalgar House, Juniper Drive, London, United Kingdom

Azadeh Razaghdoost, Untitled from the 'Letters' series (2011). Courtesy of Sophia Contemporary Gallery.

Azadeh Razaghdoost, Untitled from the ‘Letters’ series (2011). Courtesy of Sophia Contemporary Gallery.

Exhibition:Azadeh Razaghdoost: Recipe for a Poem
When:
November 24, 2016–February 10, 2017
Where:
Sophia Contemporary Gallery, 11 Grosvenor Street, London, United Kingdom

Robert Rauschenberg, Untitled (1968). Courtesy of Offer Waterman.

Robert Rauschenberg, Untitled (1968). Courtesy of Offer Waterman.

Exhibition: Robert Rauschenberg: Transfer Drawings from the 1950s and 1960s
When:
December 2, 2016–January 13, 2017
Where:
Offer Waterman, 17 St George Street, London, United Kingdom

John Keane, If you knew me. If you knew yourself. (2015). Courtesy of Flowers Gallery.

John Keane, If you knew me. If you knew yourself. (2015). Courtesy of Flowers Gallery.

Auction: John Keane If You Knew Me. If You Knew Yourself. You Would Not Kill Me.”
When:
November 4–December 10, 2016
Where: Flowers Gallery, 82 Kingsland Road, London, United Kingdom

Charlie Anderson, Broke #2. Courtesy of StolenSpace Gallery.

Charlie Anderson, Broke #2. Courtesy of StolenSpace Gallery.

Exhibition: ASSEMBLAGE
When: December 2–December 23, 2016
Where: StolenSpace Gallery, 17 Osborne Street, London, United Kingdom

Wang Chuangchuang, Shoot to Thrill (2016). Courtesy of Arthill Gallery.

Wang Chuangchuang, Shoot to Thrill (2016). Courtesy of Arthill Gallery.

Exhibition: IN FOCUS
When:
December 8, 2016–Sunday, February 26, 2017
Where:
Arthill Gallery, Lourdes Apartments, North End Road, London, United Kingdom

Mai-Thu Perret, The traveler seeking the road… (2016). Courtesy of Simon Lee.

Mai-Thu Perret, The traveler seeking the road… (2016). Courtesy of Simon Lee.

Exhibition: Mai-Thu Perret: Zone
When: November 23, 2016–February 4, 2017
Where:
Simon Lee, 12 Berkeley Street, London, United Kingdom

Exhibition:Teller on Mapplethorpe
When:
November 18, 2016–January 7, 2017
Where:
Alison Jacques Gallery, 12-18 Berners Street, London, United Kingdom

Ai Weiwei, Foundation. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Ai Weiwei, Foundation. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Exhibition:Ai Weiwei: Fondation
When:
November 25, 2016–January 7, 2017
Where:
Lisson Gallery, 27 & 52 Bell Street, London, United Kingdom

Johan Van Mullem, P14080 (2014). Courtesy of Unit London.

Johan Van Mullem, P14080 (2014). Courtesy of Unit London.

Exhibition:Johan Van Mullem: De Anima
When:
December 2, 2016–January 6, 2017
Where:
Unit London, 147 Wardour Street, London, United Kingdom

Exhibition:Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne
When:
November 24, 2016–January 26, 2017
Where:
Ben Brown Fine Arts, 12  Brook’s Mews, London, United Kingdom

Caragh Thuring, Courtesy of Thomas Dane Gallery.

Caragh Thuring, Courtesy of Thomas Dane Gallery.

Exhibition:Caragh Thuring
When:
November 17, 2016–January 21, 2017
Where:
Thomas Dane Gallery, 3&11 Duke Street, St. Jame’s, London, United Kingdom


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