Archives: Exhibitions

About

Celebrating four decades of ground-breaking contemporary art, The Long Now is an expansive group show presenting new works by iconic artists closely associated with the Gallery’s dynamic history, alongside fresh voices from a new generation.

Spanning two floors and nine major exhibition spaces, the exhibition features special commissions, installations, painting and sculpture, and culminates with Richard Wilson’s iconic 20:50. A landmark in Saatchi Gallery’s history, 20:50 has been shown at each of the Gallery’s past locations and now, for the first time, is presented on the top floor.

Filling the space with recycled engine oil, it creates a mirrored environment that both disorients and captivates. In the context of today’s climate crisis, the work takes on renewed resonance, inviting reflection on the fragility of our surroundings, community, and environmental uncertainty.

The Long Now takes its name from a concept of fostering long-term thinking and challenging throwaway culture. Newly created works appear alongside historic pieces that remain impactful and relevant, continuing Saatchi Gallery’s tradition of showing art of the present while giving artists the space to realise ambitious ideas.

The exhibition opens with works exploring process and mark-making – a fundamental human gesture reimagined by Alice Anderson, Rannva Kunoy and Carolina Mazzolari. This spirit of experimentation runs through works by Tim Noble, André Butzer, Dan Colen, Jake Chapman and Polly Morgan, who push subject, style and scale.

At the centre stands Jenny Saville’s monumental Passage (2004). Combining strength and beauty, it exemplifies her ambition to “be a painter of modern life, and modern bodies.” The work anchors the exhibition’s energy, inviting a powerful and intimate encounter with the human form.

Painting, a constant in Saatchi Gallery’s programme, is further represented by Alex Katz, Michael Raedecker, Ansel Krut, Martine Poppe and Jo Dennis, alongside new and emerging voices who continue to expand the medium’s possibilities.

Immersive installations shift the focus from viewing to participation. Allan Kaprow’s YARD, with its chaotic arrangement of tyres, encourages movement and play, while Conrad Shawcross’s suspended Golden Lotus (Inverted) transforms a vintage car into a kinetic sculpture, prompting reflection on transformation, agency and the role of the viewer.

The exhibition raises questions of technology and the future, with Chino Moya, Mat Collishaw and Tom Hunter reflecting on surveillance, automation and AI – considering how the digital world permeates contemporary life.

Themes of fragility and climate change weave throughout. Gavin Turk’s fractured Bardo suggests cultural decay and the precarious balance between permanence and collapse, while works by Olafur Eliasson, Chris Levine and Frankie Boyle use light to create moments of contemplation. Environmental concerns are explored by Edward Burtynsky, Steven Parrino, Peter Buggenhout, Ibrahim Mahama, Ximena Garrido Lecca and Christopher Le Brun, who address extraction, waste and renewal.

Curated by Philippa Adams (Senior Director, Saatchi Gallery 1999- 2020).

Featured artists: Alice Anderson, Olivia Bax, Frankie Boyle, Edward Burtynsky, Peter Buggenhout, André Butzer, Jake Chapman, Mat Collishaw, Dan Colen, John Currin, Jo Dennis, Zhivago Duncan, Olafur Eliasson, Rafael Gómezbarros, Ximena Garrido-Lecca, Damien Hirst, Tom Hunter, Henry Hudson, Alex Katz, Allan Kaprow, Maria Kreyn, Ansel Krut, Rannva Kunoy, Christopher Le Brun, Chris Levine, Ibrahim Mahama, Carolina Mazzolari, Jeff McMillan, Misha Milovanovich, Polly Morgan, Ryan Mosley, Chino Moya, Tim Noble, Alejandro Ospina, Steven Parrino, Martine Poppe, Michael Raedecker, Sterling Ruby, Jenny Saville, Conrad Shawcross, Soheila Sokhanvari, John Squire, Dima Srouji, Gavin Turk, Richard Wilson, Alexi Williams Wynn.

Supported by

With thanks to our collaborators: Artvisor, Morra Foundation and MONA Tasmania, EFG Private Bank Ltd, Sweet Harmony, Cauldwell Collection and the Fine Art Group.

About

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants II: A Unique Dialogue Between Past and Present is a collaboration between artist-curator Louise te Poele, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Saatchi Gallery. The V&A has granted access to its historic collection of works by female creators, which has inspired a new body of work by contemporary artists.

Following the success of the first edition, this exhibition explores the historical and ongoing invisibility of female artists. Nine Dutch female artists have created new works in direct response to pieces by women in the V&A’s collection — works that have served as essential sources of inspiration. The result is a powerful visual dialogue spanning generations.

Why do we so often recall only male names when we think of great artists? This exhibition challenges that imbalance by bringing visibility to both contemporary Dutch female artists and their often-overlooked historical counterparts. Through this unique partnership between leading cultural institutions, the project creates space, recognition, and momentum — by and for women.

Participating artists: Lily de Bont, Margriet van Breevoort, Bobbi Essers, Larissa Esvelt, Anya Janssen, Audrey Large, Femmy Otten, Louise te Poele, Bregje Slipenbeek

We’d like to thank the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sorba for their ongoing support of this project.

About

Co-curated with Saatchi Gallery, the Bagri Foundation presents Myths, Dreams and New Realities. The exhibition spotlights 13 emerging artists from across the Asian diaspora, who each reimagine cultural identity through personal mythologies and visionary material practices.

Dreamlike visuals unfurl as the artists investigate the entangled relationship between identity, history, and mythology. Lulu Wang and Sato Sugamoto’s larger-than-life anthropomorphic shapes and tangled wires greet us at one end of the gallery, while Wink King Moe’s cotton candy coloured landscapes and Marcos Kueh’s detailed tapestries draw inventively from the folklore, symbolism and myth of Malaysian culture. 

Throughout the exhibition, human and non-human landscapes are revealed through painting and sculpture. Artists reimagine their relationship with land and body, drawing inspiration from craft traditions and ancestral memory. Whether working with natural pigments, found materials or industrial processes, each artist builds a unique reality, some built on myths or dreams whilst others on our own bodies, offering not just new ways of seeing, but exploring new ways of being. 

Chelsea Pettitt, Director of the Bagri Foundation and exhibition curator, will conduct two drop-in walkthroughs on the dates below. Pre-booking is not required. 

• 12pm, Sunday 26 October with artist Hemaseh Manawi Rad
• 12pm, Saturday 29 November with artist Woo Jin Joo and Varshga Premarasa

In partnership with: 

About

In Exhale, Kat Kristof explores the boundaries of inner and outer space through richly layered, psychologically charged works. Trained in architecture and painting, Kristof constructs immersive compositions that navigate identity, memory, and perception. Her figures—neither strictly figurative nor fully abstract—exist in architectonic dreamscapes that oscillate between fullness and emptiness, surface and depth.

Recurring motifs, such as water and the pool, suggest both containment and release. These are meditative spaces, where colour and form evoke a quiet, reverberating energy. Kristof’s visual language is rooted in emotion rather than realism, offering a poetics of identity that resists fixed interpretation.

Kristof demonstrates remarkable command over composition, structure, and psychological tone. Her work references both art history and the subconscious, inviting comparisons to the metaphysical worlds of de Chirico or the emotive stillness of Rothko. Yet, Kristof’s vision is distinctly her own: fluid, introspective, and rigorously constructed.

Born in Hungary and now based in Folkestone, Kristof invites viewers to submerge themselves—to trust in the work’s ability to hold contradiction and complexity. Exhale is an invitation to navigate the mind’s layered architecture and re-emerge with new ways of seeing.

Presented by BEERS gallery. 

About

Jealous partners once again with Saatchi Gallery for a brand new exhibition of works, On Repeat. On show will be a carefully curated selection of pre-framed editions from the Jealous archives. Exhibiting artists include Jealous favourites such as David Shrigley, Charming Baker, Stanley Donwood and Jess Wilson, amongst many others. 

And the best bit? For the 2-week duration of the show, ALL the framed works will be available to buy at the unframed price! 

At the end of the exhibition, art lovers can take home their favourite framed works for instant gratification and easy installation. 

Presented by: 

About

HSBC, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Art, invite you to experience two unique exhibitions in London for the first time:

Different Perspectives: Embark on a journey of reflection as we present a selection of artworks from nine contemporary artists in HSBC’s century-spanning collection. Through their own distinct voices, each artist explores the complexities of the human experience and our surrounding world, challenging us to consider our existing perspectives. The show is part of HSBC’s ‘Different Perspectives’ series, which provides a platform to celebrate diverse viewpoints whilst also inspiring viewers to see the world in new and unexpected ways.

Featured artists: Alvaro Barrington, Mohammed Kazem, Vivien Zhang, Xiao Wang, Jin Han Lee, Phoebe Unwin, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Emmanuel Awuni, Alya Hatta.

Beyond Emerging Artists: An annual initiative by Abu Dhabi Art that empowers emerging UAE-based talent through mentorship, curatorial support, and international exposure. Curated by Lorenzo Fiaschi (GALLERIA CONTINUA), this exhibition features work by Fatma Al Ali, Dina Nazmi Khorchid, and Simrin Mehra Agarwal – whose practices span sculpture, sound, and textiles. Their work delves into themes of transformation, memory, and the emotional connection between people and place, offering UK audiences a unique glimpse into contemporary artistic practices emerging from the UAE. 

Abu Dhabi Art is organised by the UAE Department of Culture and Tourism. Beyond Emerging Artists is presented with the support of Abu Dhabi Art’s global partner, HSBC. 

Presented by: 

In partnership with:

About

Chelsea Arts Festival is a new festival, celebrating modern storytelling in London, and showcases Chelsea’s rich literary heritage, spotlighting its place in the capital’s vibrant cultural landscape. The programme is extensive, and will take place across Chelsea’s key artistic institutions: Saatchi Gallery, Cadogan Hall and Royal Court Theatre.

Partnering with Cadogan, the festival’s main programme will encompass all arts disciplines, from music, theatre, dance and film to podcasting, literature and the visual arts; and will feature both the brightest names and emerging talent from page, stage and screen. Elsewhere, Chelsea’s streets will come alive with free outdoor performances across King’s Road, Duke of York Square, Sloane Street and Sloane Square.

Friday 19^th September

12.45pm – 1.45pm – A Creative Renaissance?: AI & the Future of Imagination with Suhair Khan & Omar Karim

Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of creativity in the age of AI with two leading voices at the forefront of this revolutionary intersection – Suhair Khan and Omar Karim.

Suhair Khan is a technology entrepreneur and creative leader. She is the founder of open-ended , a platform and incubator for creative technologists working with artificial intelligence. Her work centers on impact-driven work at the intersection of design, culture and future-facing technology. In over a decade at Google and Google Arts & Culture, Suhair led initiatives which merged cutting-edge technologies with arts, design, culture, education and environmental sustainability.

Omar Karim is an AI Filmmaker and Creative Director with more than 14 years’ expertise spanning advertising and technology sectors, including positions at RGA, Meta, and Fallon London alongside other leading agencies and emerging businesses. Recognised for his pioneering storytelling methods, he has collaborated with premium brands including Nike, Beats By Dre, Burberry and Prada.

Don’t miss this essential conversation about the future of creativity in the age of AI, guided by two experts who understand both the promise and complexity of this technological revolution.

2.45pm – 3.45pm – Forbes Family Group in Conversation with Sheila Nortley

Join us for a powerful and personal conversation with executive producer Sheila Nortley’s whose work includes acclaimed projects such as Netflix’s Stay Close and the BAFTA-nominated Supacell.  Hosted by Davina Forbes-Williamson, co-CEO of Forbes Family Group, this session will spotlight Nortley’s journey as a writer and producer. From the early spark of an idea to bringing stories to screen, Sheila will share her perspective on representation, navigating the UK industry, and the realities of creative collaboration across producers, writers, directors, cast and crew.

This promises to be an honest and inspiring discussion for anyone passionate about storytelling, inclusion, and the power of film and television to shift culture. 

4.30pm – 5.30pm – Lucas Jones: Poet & Actor 

Poet and actor Lucas Jones comes to the Saatchi Gallery to perform a selection of poems accompanied by string arrangements, followed by an on-stage Q&A where audiences can engage directly with one of the most exciting voices in modern poetry.

Famous for his beautiful poetry readings on social media and viral poetry books Sorry I was Miles Away (2023) and The Camera Loves You, Baby (March 2025). He has organically built up his following on Instagram of nearly 500K followers with over 50 million social media views. 

6.15pm – 7.30pm – BookBar in Conversation with Elif Shafak

BookBar is bringing the social side of reading to Saatchi Gallery with a conversation with author and activist Elif Shafak. Following their sold-out event at BookBar Chelsea in June, BookBar founder Chrissy Ryan and Elif Shafak return for one more night to discuss Elif’s latest novel, There Are Rivers in the Sky. Set between two continents over two thousand years, There Are Rivers in the Sky is full of Elif’s rich storytelling, following Arthur, a Victorian child, fascinated by stories of Ancient Mesopotamia; Narin, a teenage girl who journeys from contemporary Turkey to Iraq; and Zaleekhah, a heartbroken hydrologist living on the River Thames.

Saturday 20^th September

10.30am – 11.30am – Calculating the Arts Dividend: Why Culture Matters with Darren Henley & Samira Ahmed

Join this compelling conversation about the transformative power of the arts, exploring Darren’s book ‘The Arts Dividend’ – an examination of how creativity shapes our society and economy. 

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England and influential cultural leader, brings decades of experience championing arts across education, broadcasting and policymaking, demonstrating how creative investment delivers profound returns for communities and individuals.

Also leading this discussion is distinguished broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed, whose incisive interviews and cultural programming have made her one of the most trusted voices on the arts. Known for her work on Radio 4’s Front Row and her fearless advocacy for creative freedom, Ahmed brings both journalistic rigour and passion to discussions about culture’s place in public life.

Together, they will unpack the evidence behind the Arts Dividend – revealing how investment in creativity enriches souls, but further drives innovation, builds stronger communities and delivers economic benefits.

12.15pm – 1.15pm – Black Earth Rising with Ekow Eshun, interviewed by Katy Wickremesinghe

Join us for an illuminating session with Ekow Eshun, the acclaimed writer, curator and former broadcaster, as he discusses his groundbreaking new publication Black Earth Rising. In conversation with Katy Wickremesinghe, founder of The Wick, Eshun will explore the vital intersections between contemporary art, environmental justice, and colonial histories.

Black Earth Rising presents a powerful anthology of work by 100 leading artists of African diasporic, Latin American and Native American identity, featuring over 200 artworks that interrogate the complex relationships between race, climate crisis and colonialism. Through multiple mediums, these works address urgent questions of land, presence, and social justice against the backdrop of European settlement of the New World.

The book explores how artists navigate intertwined histories of forced migration and slavery, examines the environmental consequences of colonialism, and engages with the ongoing occupation of Native lands while celebrating how indigenous cultural practices and knowledge systems offer transformative perspectives on our relationship with the natural world.

Described by Vogue as “the most inspired and inspiring curator in Britain,” Eshun brings his distinctive curatorial vision and scholarly insight to bear on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

2pm – 3pm – Express Yourself: Fashion, Identity and Liberation with Dame Zandra Rhodes and Daniel Lismore

Join us for an extraordinary celebration of fashion as the ultimate form of self-expression with Dame Zandra Rhodes, one of Britain’s most iconic and influential designers, alongside Daniel Lismore, the acclaimed artist and ‘Living Sculpture’ recognised by Vogue as ‘England’s Most Eccentric Dresser’. This conversation will explore fashion’s transformative power and its role in shaping identity, challenging conventions, and liberating creative expression.

From the King’s Road’s swinging sixties revolution to the raw energy of punk, Chelsea has been the epicentre of Britain’s most significant cultural and style movements. As both witness to, and architect of, some of these seismic shifts, Dame Zandra Rhodes offers unparalleled insight into fashion’s capacity to reflect and reshape society. Her fearless approach to colour, print, and silhouette has challenged fashion orthodoxy for over five decades, creating clothes that are as much works of art as they are statements of personal freedom.

This conversation will traverse Dame Zandra’s remarkable journey through fashion’s most defining moments, from her early days printing fabrics to dressing rock legends and royalty alike. Daniel Lismore brings his unique perspective as a performance artist, champion of sustainable fashion and proponent of recycling clothes.

Drawing from Dame Zandra’s compelling memoir Iconic: My Life in Fashion in 50 Objects and Lismore’s own book Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Already Taken, they will share stories behind their most memorable creations and reflect on how fashion continues to serve as a powerful tool for identity, rebellion, and self-discovery.

3.45pm – 4.45pm – Perception, Consciousness & Illusion: Artist Panel

Acclaimed artist Alison Jackson is delighted to present an exclusive panel discussion bringing together renowned contemporary artists whose practices interrogate perception, image-making, and the shifting landscape of contemporary culture. The conversation will be moderated by the legendary auctioneer, curator, and art world impresario Simon de Pury.

Alison Jackson, BAFTA-winning artist and filmmaker, is renowned for her thought-provoking photographs, paintings, sculpture and films using celebrity lookalikes. Blurring the line between truth and fabrication, her work questions media spectacle, voyeurism, and the seductive power of images in shaping collective perception of fame.

Ally Rosenberg, a London-based sculptor with a background in neuroscience, explores the paradoxes of consciousness and memory through materially rich, bodily forms. His practice bridges scientific inquiry and archetypal imagery, positioning sculpture as a site where memory, matter, and myth converge.

Chris Levine is celebrated for his pioneering work with light, laser, and sound. His immersive installations, including the iconic holographic portrait Lightness of Being of Queen Elizabeth II, merge cutting-edge technology with spirituality to create transformative, multi-sensory experiences that heighten awareness and expand perception.

Philip Colbert, often dubbed the “godson of Andy Warhol,” has achieved international recognition for his hyper-pop paintings and his iconic cartoon lobster persona. Drawing on art history and digital culture, Colbert reimagines the language of pop for the 21st century, collapsing boundaries between high art and everyday symbols.

Together, these artists reflect on how contemporary art manipulates and reframes images—whether through light, sculpture, photography, or painting—to probe the blurred edges between reality and illusion. Moderated by Simon de Pury, whose curatorial vision and legendary presence on the international art stage have shaped generations of artists, this panel will offer a rare glimpse into the practices of four cultural innovators redefining the image in our time.

5.30pm – 6.30pm – Jack Edwards’ Inklings Book Club with Yasmin Zaher

Join us for very exciting live session with Jack Edwards, the internet’s resident librarian, at the first live Inklings Book Club event. In this special event Jack will interview Yasmin Zaher, author of The Coin, the Inklings September pick.

Jack Edwards has revolutionised how a new generation engages with literature through his phenomenally successful YouTube channel, where his genuine enthusiasm for books – spanning everything from cutting-edge contemporary works to timeless classics – has cultivated one of the internet’s most dynamic reading communities. His insightful commentary and authentic appreciation for the written word have established him as an essential guide for readers navigating their literary journeys and seeking their next great read.

Yasmin Zaher’s The Coin follows a young Palestinian woman striving to put down roots in New York City.  This live Inklings Book Club event promises to be an intimate celebration of literature. Whether you’re a long-time follower of his channels or brand new to his literary world, this is your chance to experience Jack’s passion for books in person.

Further information and the full Festival schedule can be found on their website here.

Please note, all events are ticketed and must be pre-booked to attend. Events take place at the Gallery on Friday and Saturday only.