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Booksreview
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Former Sotheby's chairman recounts the birth of the London art market as we know it

James Stourton's new book explores changes from the power shift to the auction houses in the mid-20th century to the excesses of the 1980s and 90s

Jeremy Deller to close National Gallery's bicentenary celebrations with ‘first of its kind’ parade and party

The event, planned to take place in London's Trafalgar Square on 26 July, will draw folklore and traditions from across the UK

Diaryblog

Holy smoke! London’s National Gallery used to allow visitors to spark up just metres from the art

The museum's former smoking room recently became part of the Roden Centre for Creative Learning

Arts Clubfeature

Arts clubs: the art world’s best kept secret—and not just for artists, dealers and curators

Though primarily a haven for artists and the like, arts clubs also have a lively programme of exhibitions and events—usually free—for members of the public

King’s Gallery exhibition on Edwardian Age reveals literary, musical and artistic tastes of royal family

On show are personal items, as well as art and jewellery, belonging to King Edward and Queen Alexandra, many on view for the first time

Richness, complexity and joy: this London exhibition is a fittingly varied celebration of British working-class life

The show, held at the grand Two Temple Place, challenges inequities and misrepresentation

Newly conserved portrait of an Italian beauty who bewitched King Edward VII to go on show

The royal acquired the painting, now in an exhibition at The King’s Gallery, when he was a young prince

Diaryblog

London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery is feeding more than passions

The gallery in leafy south London suburb will begin hosting a farmer’s market this weekend

Diaryblog

Grayson Perry flips the bird at art world snobbery with Masked Singer appearance

The Turner prize winning potter stunned viewers and hosts of the popular TV show after revealing himself as the voice behind the kingfisher costume

Edward Gillman appointed director of London’s Chisenhale Gallery

Gillman, who was previously the director of Auto Italia in London, will replace Zoé Whitley, who stepped down in 2024

25 years on: how Somerset House became a centre for contemporary art

The London institution had a false start as a museum, but is now thriving with its winning combination of hosting temporary exhibitions and art fairs, and renting studio spaces to creatives

Diaryblog

Mickalene Thomas is bringing the glam to motorsport

The artist’s wrap design for a McLaren racing car is set to turn heads on the track

Two UK exhibitions show there is no more keeping mum about art and motherhood

Shows in London and Dundee focus on work of women artists and their experience of becoming a parent

By focusing on Edvard Munch’s portraiture, a new London exhibition reveals a different side of the Norwegian Expressionist

The show at the National Portrait Gallery will explore how this master of loneliness was in fact surrounded by people—and how he could see “behind everyone’s mask”

Diaryblog

Frame is the name of the art game at Moco Museum star-studded soirée

Guests at UK artist Daniel Lismore's recent 40th birthday party were invited to come dressed as their favourite art movement

‘I like being able to walk between my spaces’: Sadie Coles on her gallery's new Savile Row location

The 6,000 sq ft space occupies a townhouse that was once home to a storied gentleman's club frequented by John Ruskin and Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Comment | Leigh Bowery’s radical art is being rightly celebrated—but let’s not forget those who helped him on his way

The artist’s close network of creative mavericks were integral to the indelible mark he left on London's cultural life

Roman basilica discovered beneath London office block

The 2,000-year-old ruins were found close to Bank tube station and London Bridge

South by Southwest London aims to deliver ‘sensible optimism’ at a time of global uncertainty

The Shoreditch-based festival's chief executive looks forward to presenting the cross-disciplinary work of “good, clever people with open minds”, including the actor Idris Elba and the artist and film-maker Jenn Nkiru

All the new art to see on London's Underground in 2025

As part of the Art on the Underground 2025 programme, Ahmet Öğüt, Rudy Loewe and Rory Pilgrim will all unveil works around the city's transport hubs

Environmental row escalates as historic Marks & Spencer store in London is set for demolition

Campaigners argue rebuilding Orchard House will release harmful embedded carbon and are calling on government to promote refurbishment over destruction

Scientific wonders from Versailles, which once delighted kings, to go on show in London

The Science Museum exhibition will explore the French monarchy’s fascination with scientific observation and experimentation under Louis XIV and XV

The dangerous art of Hamad Butt makes a comeback at the Irish Museum of Modern Art

Pioneering works by the British-Pakistani artist who died young are being restaged in Dublin before travelling to London

Crime news

London art world haunt Groucho Club closed as police investigate ‘serious crime’ on premises

The private members club was bought by Hauser & Wirth's founders in 2022

Leonardo Cartoon was ‘presentation drawing’ in Florence commission bid

Leonardo’s largest known drawing was hung with the Mona Lisa in his studio, says Per Rumberg, the curator of the Royal Academy’s Florentine Old Masters exhibition opening this month

Art marketcomment

Comment | Paris vs London debate is a 'non-troversy', says Christie's Guillaume Cerutti

Auction house chief executive argues that of greater concern is the decline of Europe's art market as America and Asia charge ahead

London's National Gallery to ban liquids after attacks on paintings

The gallery will introduce new security measures, stating it has been "forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection"

New London gallery plans to champion artists from beyond the capital

Manchester-born William Hine, former director at Grimm Gallery, will highlight many contemporary artists who have shown at institutions before, but not had commercial exposure