Art in the City: London

The story is infamous, and one that echoes perpetually across the city. Friends are staying with you at the weekend and they casually fling “seeing some art” into the conversation of plans. You live in the capital but rarely make use of the galleries on offer, so how do you know where to take them to look suitably cultured and knowledgable? Alternatively, you live out of town and want to make the most of a trip to the smoke, where can you go to get the best of the bunch for an art fan?

At last, someone has heard the plaintive cry and done something about it. Tiddy Rowan - gallery owner, art consultant and author - began by being asked for an art tour of London from a colleague in New York who, on receipt of his detailed itinerary suggested she wrote a book. The people at Quadrille Publishing felt the same way, and rather handily we are left with the stunning series of Art in the City guidebooks.
Of the nine titles in the family, the first two were published this May - Paris and London - leaving us to wait with baited breath and walking shoes at the ready for the New York, Venice, Berlin, San Francisco, Barcelona, Tokyo and Sydney editions. The best excuse to travel there has been in a long time.

Following on from a short essay about London’s contemporary art scene to lay the foundations, the book is in three sections -  Art, Directory and Maps – each cross referencing to the other. We the humble reader have several ways to use this essential companion. Either flick through the gorgeously presented Art pages, find an artist you like and follow their work. Or, how about a treasure hunt around a specific London area; pick a map, one a weekend if you are as keen as mustard, and follow the tour of galleries and artists in the area. Not oiling your canvas? Then just pick a page and see where it takes you…

Meandering through artist’s work, galleries and London streets will awaken your senses and plug you straight into the artworld and thriving creative hub.

This is the perfect gift, to a friend, loved one, and especially yourself; make the most of your city. Discover new artists, historic galleries, the crazy, the wonderful and the questionable. Before you know it you will know your Turner from your Taylor-Wood, your Hepworth from your Hirst and your Emin from your, er, tent.

Look who’s the art buff now!

Jo Gifford

Art in the City London is published by Quadrille, priced £9.99, available in all good bookshops.