London's Saatchi Gallery - Unique partnership to spotlight Los Angeles as a global leader in art and culture.
Art and culture sit at the heart of London and it is interesting to see a new partnership aimed to showcase LA's cutting edge street art scene at London's Saatchi Gallery.
According to an interesting article "Los Angeles Tourism is partnering with the Saatchi Gallery on a new exhibition, BEYOND THE STREETS LONDON, which gives visitors a glimpse of the City of Angels’ buzzing arts and culture scene.
London’s BEYOND THE STREETS exhibition spans over three floors of Saatchi Gallery, showcasing new works, large-scale installations and extraordinary fashion from over 100 artists around the world, featuring more than 25 iconic Los Angeles street artists. Highlighted artists include prolific LA muralist and co-designer of Los Angeles Tourism’s logo, Shepard Fairey; Mark Machado, aka MISTER CARTOON, who’s artwork appears in Los Angeles Tourism’s future Spring advertising campaign; Estevan Oriol, director and star of Netflix’s LA Originals, and Chaz Bojórquez, who is credited with bringing a new graffiti style to LA’s Highland Park in the 1970s.
Over the last 50 years, Los Angeles has transformed from an outsider art scene to a capital of contemporary art, with more museums than any other place in the U.S. Cutting edge art can be spotted across the city, from handwritten signs to elaborate murals, giving visitors a chance to experience authentic LA.
This energy comes to London with BEYOND THE STREETS LONDON following a blockbuster LA edition in 2018, giving the British public a chance to sample the creative spirit of the City of Angels.
Those who are inspired to see LA’s street art in-person are in luck – a social media competition will launch on 28 February, giving street art fans the chance to win a holiday to Los Angeles for two to explore MISTER CARTOON’s favourite city spots to enjoy art, eat great food and hang out like a local.
Adam Burke, President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism, said: “I can’t wait for London to see this incredible Los Angeles-born artwork up close at the Saatchi Gallery. Some of LA’s most iconic street artists and their incredible works are crossing the pond to appear in London for the first time. I hope that everyone inspired by this exhibition comes to see us in Los Angeles soon for epic murals, ground-breaking new galleries and more museums than anywhere else in the U.S. We are ready and waiting to roll out the red carpet for you.”
Roger Gastman, Curator of BEYOND THE STREETS, explains: “Los Angeles has been an integral chapter in the BEYOND THE STREETS story. It played host to our inaugural show in 2018 and became a permanent home in 2022 with the opening of our gallery and flagship space. We’re excited to bring the authenticity of L.A. culture to London and are confident our show at Saatchi Gallery will inspire travellers from all over the UK to pay Los Angeles a visit in the very near future.”
L.A. Artist Mark Machado, aka MISTER CARTOON, adds: “BEYOND THE STREETS understands how to exhibit my art to the world in an authentic, elevated way. With the show being in London, for the first time, it’s not taken lightly. I love the vibes, I love the people, and London loves LA and respects LA street culture. LA is in the soul of my artwork and what I do.”
