Wet Paint in the Wild: Artist Alexandra Metcalf Gallery-Hops Her Way Through London

The painter just opened her debut show in the capital city

Welcome to Wet Paint in the Wild, the freewheeling—and free!—spinoff of Artnet News Pro’s beloved Wet Paint gossip column, where we give art-world insiders a disposable camera to chronicle their lives on the circuit. To read the latest Wet Paint column, click here (members only).

As I wrote in my column last week, London seems like the place to be this month! If not for the Serpentine summer party, then certainly for some gallery shows. Among those that I’d like to go see is painter Alexandra Metcalf’s solo show “1st Edition,” which is up at the buzzy Ginny on Frederick through July 20. Let’s let the artist take us on a trip across the pond, shall we? —Annie Armstrong

photo of lined up uk flags on a red roadDecided to drive to London from Berlin under the guise of the age-old traditional “road trip.” I grew up in London, always sentimental and a bit nerve-wracking returning home. Twelve hours later, and after a stop in Belgium, we made it to London. God save the queen!

photo of 3 people installing a panel over light fixtures

Install begins with Freddie, my best friend and gallerist. Conducting as usual.

tall man and short woman hugging

David Spence, an old friend from high school, makes a stop at the install. Always had a crush on him.

man lifting leg over stell scaffolding

Gallerist that gets his hands dirty!

photo of outdoor market under a bridge on a cloudy day

Finished install early, took a nostalgia stroll through Portobello, a road that saw most of my youthful indiscretions.

woman and man smiling wearing caps with plaster phrase

Had to visit my godbrother, Milo Astaire, and steal some merch from his incredible magazine Plaster. Loved checking in on one of my works in his collection, hehe.

photo of a winding staircase outdoor

My favorite spiral staircase at my favorite museum in London, the V&A.

 

photo of a woman sticking the middle finger to the side

Snapped some of London’s new cool kids on the gallery circuit.

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New friends Ted and Anna of Brunette Colman. Wild show by Brianna Leatherbury, a mad cold room installation and wild Schrödinger’s cat sculptures.

photo of two men by a fireplace

Freddie took us all to Sessions Arts Club for dinner, as his best friend Abigail Hill is the chef. Here’s David Flaugher, my love, and Lewis Lewis Teague Wright, of Fervent Moon fame, admiring his flag artwork in the dining room. Yum.

photo of two figures one extedning their arm to the other

Opening night! Here we go… Gray Wielebinski caught in action. Grateful this trip has introduced me to so many new faces.

photo of person with geisha like makeup with black dots all over face

Legend, and fellow Ginny artist, Alex Margo Arden, dressed perfectly.

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Filling out, openings are so awkward, I always feel like I’m 13 and no one will come to my birthday party. Relieved to see so many new and old friends.

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Sultry me. Thank you Ilenia for doing the flowers at the dinner at Ciao Bella, mwah gorgeous.

photo of the back of pants with lace up details

Rose Easton’s “wet paint pants”the best dressed!

 

photo of a man sitting looking the camera

THE Jack O’Brien, right off the plane from L.A. after his show at Matthew Brownthank you king!

photo of people chatting with drinks in hand

Steve Smith, designer extraordinaire, who I studied with at RISD, at dinner, with new friends Felix Taylor, Rose Easton, Pablo Larios.

photo of two men with moon motif t-shirts

Stopped by to say goodbye to my favourite duo and family. Next stop the mooooooon.

photo of man with sunglasses holding a little dog

Until next time, London! Bye Dad!

photo of the exterior of a building and a lip with cigarette sculpture attached to it

Mwah xoxo