Stephen Friedman Gallery opens new London space.
Installation view of Stephen Friedman Gallery Garden, London 2023. Copyright Woody De Othello and David Shrigley. Photo by Mark Blower. Courtesy of the artists and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London.
Stephen Friedman Gallery has today opened its new 10,000-square-foot gallery space on Cork Street in the heart of Mayfair. Designed by award-winning firm David Kohn Architects, the expansive new location also features a landscaped sculpture garden with large-scale works by artists including Izumi Kato, Woody De Othello, David Shrigley, and Leilah Babirye.
“We are extremely proud of the new gallery,” said Friedman. “It reflects the creative thoughts of many people and supports what is most important to us: our exceptional artists, our talented team, and our gallery’s ethos. I stand tall with the likes of Freddie Mayor, Leslie Waddington, and Peggy Guggenheim who were early pioneers on Cork Street, and am thrilled to be part of its next generation of galleries. This new chapter is an inspiring and exciting time in our history.”
The gallery’s inaugural exhibition is a solo show by Yinka Shonibare, “Free The Wind, The Spirit, and The Sun,” which runs through November 11th. Comprising sculptures, masks, and quilts, the show is a “celebration of nature,” according to the artist, who also took inspiration from the Dada movement that emerged in Zürich during World War I. The exhibition also includes a group presentation of African artists curated by Shonibare, including Okiki Akinfe, Bunmi Agusto, Nengi Omuku, and Emma Prempeh.
