The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea is a contemporary art gallery known for its diverse and thought-provoking exhibitions. Established in 1985 by Charles Saatchi, the gallery has a focus on displaying works across various media by emerging artists.
What to see at the Saatchi Gallery
Exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery cover a wide spectrum of artistic styles, themes and media. Visitors may encounter painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, video and digital works, among other forms of contemporary artistic expression.
A hallmark of the Saatchi Gallery is its commitment to showcasing emerging talent. Many exhibitions feature works by young and up-and-coming artists, providing them with a platform to reach a wider audience and gain recognition in the art world. This focus on emerging artists contributes to the gallery’s reputation as a hub of creativity and innovation.
Current and planned exhibitions include:
Unreal City: Abstract Painting in London
The Unreal City exhibition (until 17 November 2024) brings together three generations of artists exploring the evolving language of abstraction in London. Reflecting the layered history of the city, the exhibition examines how abstraction’s past influences its present and future. Featured artists include Frank Bowling, Basil Beattie, Karolina Albricht and Aimee Parrott, among others, presenting a dynamic view of contemporary abstract painting.
Samuel Nnorom: Multitude or Minority
This solo exhibition (until 24 November 2024) by Nigerian artist Samuel Nnorom follows his win of the M&C Saatchi Group Art for Change Prize in 2022. Nnorom’s sculptures, made from offcuts of Ankara fabric, explore themes of collective survival, identity and global trade. The works reinterpret the bubble as a symbol of connection and aspiration, drawing on the fabric’s colonial history and impact on African textiles.
The Walls Between Us
This exhibition (until 25 November 2024) explores the concept of home through the work of 12 artists, examining its complex and personal nature. Using the Welsh word Hiraeth – a sense of longing and homesickness for something lost – the exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on what defines a home. Curated by SOTA Marketplace, it raises questions about belonging and the emotional landscape of home, while challenging assumptions around safety and comfort.
Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation
This major survey (5 November 2024–20 January 2025) features works from five of Samoylova’s key series, including FloodZone and Image Cities, alongside previously unseen video pieces. The exhibition explores the tension between human intervention and environmental change, prompting viewers to reflect on how society confronts – or avoids – these pressing issues through visually compelling imagery. £12.
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic
This exhibition (5 November 2024–20 January 2025) presents photographs from African diasporic culture. Featuring work from the Wedge Collection, the exhibition highlights artists from Canada, the Caribbean, Great Britain, the United States and Africa. It explores themes of community, identity and power, showcasing artists like Horace Ové, James Barnor, Gordon Parks and emerging talents such as Texas Isaiah.
Visiting the Saatchi Gallery
The Saatchi Gallery is located in the Duke of York’s Headquarters just off Kings Road in Chelsea. It is a four-minute walk to Sloane Square tube station (on the Circle and District lines) and nearby attractions include the Chelsea Physic Garden and the National Army Museum, both within a 15-minute walk from the gallery.
The gallery is open 10am–6pm daily and admission is free, although some major exhibitions have an entry charge, which can be pricey.
It is in one of the loveliest areas of London and there are lots of places to eat and drink nearby.
Allow up to two hours for your visit if you’re here for a major exhibition; however, a shorter visit is reasonable if you’re just visiting for the free exhibitions.
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