Alighiero Boetti, 'Mappa', 1979, an embroidery which features at Ben Brown’s exhibition.
The show, curated by Mark Godfrey, spans not one or two, but three spaces in Mayfair, London.
Boetti (1940-94), an Italian conceptual artist, is known partly for his work in textiles, particularly the series of large maps of the world, in which each country is filled in with its own flag.
However, his output included several other major series and this show aims to take a good look at all of them, from his Arte Povera objects to a rare rug.
The show starts at the firm’s main gallery in Brook’s Mews with works from the 1960s-70s. It then moves to Claridge’s ArtSpace, with the Mappe and examples from his Aerei, Biro and Arazzi series from across his career. It ends finally at the gallery’s private viewing space also on Brook’s Mews, where there is a selection of works on paper.
The show is large in scope and in runtime: it continues until August 31. But summer is the time to go big, according to dealer Ben Brown. While he notes that London clients may take the time to travel abroad over the summer, this is when collectors from Asia, the Middle East and North America arrive.
“June has always been an important month for the arts in London, from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition to auctions, Art Basel traffic, and the Serpentine Summer Party,” he says. “Arguably, the months of June to August are the best time to visit London, and we’re thrilled to be able to offer a museum-quality exhibition.”
Works range in price from €15,000-5m.
