London Gallery Weekend
London Gallery Weekend has announced that it returns in May after a successful inaugural edition last year. Focusing on Contemporary art, it unites galleries from central, south and east London, which will stage exhibitions by emerging and established artists to mark the occasion. An extended public events programme includes performances, educational talks and activity packs for families.
The event has also partnered with Art Fund, which will provide travel and accommodation costs for up to 20 regional curators from across the UK to visit the event in order to encourage buying and links between London galleries and museums and institutions from other parts of Britain.
Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, says: “We are fortunate to have an extraordinary art ecology in the UK. The challenges of the pandemic over the last two years have shown that we can’t take this for granted and must find new ways to strengthen it for the future.”
Boccara
Rug and tapestry dealership Boccara has launched a new gallery in New York.
The 8000 sq ft space on East 59th street features antique and modern rugs by artists such as Sonia Delaunay, Alexander Calder and Wassily Kandinsky.
Furniture handcrafted by Jeanne Lanvin is also on show along with sculpture and Contemporary paintings. Dealer Didier Marien says: “My mission is to elevate the tapestries, so they garner the same respect that is accorded the highest levels of painting or sculpture.”
Peter Harrington
A first edition of Daniel Defoe’s Moll Flanders is among the works featured in Peter Harrington’s new Fine Books and Manuscripts catalogue, which launched last week. The saucy classic is 300 years old this year and first editions are rare – the edition in question is offered for £97,500.
It is among 60 works included in the catalogue, which also includes a second folio edition of the King James Bible and a final revised typescript of Ian Fleming’s Diamonds are Forever. Owner Pom Harrington says: “Our first catalogue for the year always showcases the very best books and manuscripts we have acquired, and this year’s has a number of fantastic finds that are truly rare.”
Messum’s
Messum’s artist Alan Cotton is to receive an MBE for services to the arts in the southwest. An oil painter, Cotton has works in the collections of The Prince of Wales, the City of Plymouth Art Gallery, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter and many others. Bury Street gallery Messum’s has represented the painter for more than 30 years.
Matthew Holder
Matthew Holder is holding an online sale offering items of stock for 20-30% off until the end of the month, with new items being added regularly. Works include the usual stock of early European works of art and sculpture, such as an English Baroque oak bracket (£950, down from £1250) and a c.1500 French polychromed wooden sculpture of a king (marked from £3250 to £2275).
BADA
Decorative arts lecturer Nicholas Merchant continues his series of BADA Friends Tea Time Talks with a presentation on silversmith Paul de Lamerie on January 26. Tickets can be booked online and a recording of the lecture can be viewed for a limited time after the event.