Get your art fix at Art in Mayfair, which will see the neighbourhood transformed with striking sculptures, colourful flags and pop-up events. This one-month celebration of Mayfair’s cultural scene is the result of a collaboration between Mayfair, the Royal Academy of Art and the New West End Company. Taking place from 12 June to 9 July, here’s our pick of the top things to do during this art-filled event.

1. See art flags designed by Bob and Roberta Smith

See Mayfair's historic streets transformed with colourful art flags designed by British contemporary artist Bob and Roberta Smith, who is known as using text as an art form.

The colourful flags are entitled 'A Puzzle 4U' and will hang above Mayfair's key streets, including foodie hotspots North Audley Street and Duke Street, and shopping hub South Audley Street.

2. Follow the Mayfair Sculpture Trail

Prepare to be wowed by magnificent sculptures in Mayfair's parks, with highlights including four sculptures in Grosvenor Square, and one in Berkeley Square, all created by French conceptual artist Bernar Venet who is known for his curved metal sculptures. Also keep your eyes peeled for Nic Fiddian-Green's Still Water sculpture (pictured below) on Mount Street at the entrance to Mount Street Gardens.

 

3. Discover Mayfair's top restaurants for art lovers

Enjoy a spot of artful dining by booking a table at one of Mayfair's art-filled or design-led restaurants and bars.

Scott's has recently unveiled its summer terrace in partnership with Bird in Hand Wine. Diners can expect lush greenery, vibrant blooms and a special wine menu featuring artwork by Michelle Jank.

Located near the Berkeley Square sculpture is Bacchanalia on Mount Street, which boasts four Damien Hirst statues, hand-painted ceiling murals and 2000-year-old Greek and Roman artworks. Also near Berkeley Square is the art-filled Audley Public House on Mount Street, which has a rotating roster of artworks, with Phyllida Barlow’s colourful kaleidoscope ceiling installation taking centre stage. Other artworks include Martin Creed’s neon FRIENDS sign above the bar.

On the first floor of The Audley Public House is the Mount St. Restaurant (pictured below) which houses more than 200 pieces of art throughout its main dining room and private rooms, including works by Andy Warhol, Henry Matisse, Lucian Freud, Ferdinand Hodler, Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The restaurant's showpiece is the eye-catching ‘Broken Floor’, a palladiano mosaic floor by Rashid Johnson which runs throughout the dining room.

For a dose of 1929s New York glamour, head to The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont hotel, which is adorned with large-scale murals and maximalist artworks.

Alternatively, head to The Ivy Asia in Mayfair's North Audley Street for wow-factor interiors, including a dazzling green stone floor, antique decor and a dining room filed with 12 cherry blossom trees.

4. Get your culture fix at Mayfair's must-see art exhibitions

See solo exhibition "Powerful, despite it all" by French-Vietnamese artist Sophie-Yen Bretez at the JD Malat Gallery on Davies Street, Mayfair. A champion of emerging female artists, the exhibition invites viewers to embark on a journey to reflect on the themes of memory, pain, and resilience through the lens of universal femininity. 8 June-8 July, 2023. Goggle iconic and rarely seen photographs by pioneering photographer Richard Avedon at Avedon: Glamorous at Hamiltons Gallery. Marking the centenary of Richard Avedon's birth, this exhibition features photographs that focus on glamour, including images of Tina Turner and Andy Warhol. Find out more. 17 May-11 August, 2023.  See a solo exhibition of new works by Charles Avery, the artist’s first exhibition at GRIMM’s recently-opened London location. Avery’s exhibition features paintings, sculptures and texts that depict scenes from the artist’s imagined island, showing sights that are both familiar and uncanny. 25 May-8 July, 2023 Don’t miss the first UK solo exhibition of the Japanese artist Fumi Imamura at the Lyndsey Ingram gallery, featuring 40 new works. The artist uses collage and watercolour on paper to create glossy, crinkly floral works. Her delicate creations resemble dried flowers pressed into the pages of a book, but often on a wall-sized scale. These works feature botanical motifs inspired by Japanese folklore and the landscape of her native Aichi province in central Japan. 9 June-21 July, 2023 Find more art exhibitions in Mayfair    Richard Avedon, Debutante Cotillion, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 19, 1963[/caption]

5. Book a stay at Antony Gormley's Room at The Beaumont

Book a stay at Antony Gormley's Room at The Beaumont hotel, a one-off suite occupying the interior of a giant semi-abstract sculpture. The dark, wood-panelled, cave-like room offers its occupants the chance to find peace and tranquillity away from the pressures of modern life. From £1,100 per night. Book a stay at Room at The Beaumont.

6. Sip creative cocktails at an art-filled bar

Cocktail bar Mr Fogg’s Apothecary, located opposite Claridge’s, is the ideal location to surround yourself with art while savouring creative cocktails. Ask to be sat in the ‘Anatomy Room’ where you are surrounded by stunning nude sketches that are actually Victorian medical prints that would have been found in 18th-century apothecaries.

Picture-perfect cocktails include the Mother’s Helper featuring Belvedere vodka, Tia Maria coffee liqueur, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, Disaronno liqueur, espresso and orgeat syrup, topped with a vanilla and cream cheese foam; and The Herbalist on Brook Street which blends Secret Garden Apothecary Rose gin, Lillet Blanc wine-based apéritif, basil remedy shrub, fresh lime juice, rose water and egg white.

Alternatively, head to the iconic five-star hotel The Connaught in Carlos Place to sip cocktails in its art-filled Red Room, which is tucked behind a velvet-curtained doorway of the hotel's Champagne Room. The bar showcases a collection of red-coloured artworks by female artists, including I Am Rouge by Louise Bourgeois and a photographic piece by Trina McKillen. The striking design-led interior includes a pink onyx bar and a red-flecked marble fireplace.

7. Art-themed activities in Mayfair's shops and boutiques

Check out Roksanda's arty window display on Mount Street, beautifully curated by Eleanor Turnbull and entitled ‘So Much Juice’. Also on Mount Street, don't miss Eskandar's exhibition of paintings by artist Richard Harvey (one is pictured below), available to see in the window and in-store from 12 June. All proceed of the artwork sales will go to the artist himself and Mind, a charity that is close to Richard's heart as he's bipolar. On Mayfair's South Molton Street, buy wash bags and laundry bags designed by artist Charlotte Posner at Hanro. Inspired by the brand's heritage, the bags celebrate the craftsmanship of iconic products from the archives. Green Strip by Richard Harvey[/caption]

8. Buy piece-of-art jewellery at Stephen Webster

Discover Stephen Webster's ReBelles collection, inspired by heroines throughout history, celebrating their achievements, intellects and rebellious spirit. The collection features seven limited-edition made-to-order cocktail rings.     

9. Book a spot on the Mayfair Art Weekend Public Tour

Get closer to London's vibrant art scene by booking a spot on the Mayfair Art Weekend. Taking place from 11am to 1.30pm on Saturday 1 July, some of the top art galleries in Mayfair and St James will exclusively open their doors to the public. On the day, resident artists will welcome the public into their private studios, enabling you to learn about individual artistic practices. Participating galleries include JD Malat Gallery, Koppel Project, Sproviera, Opera Gallery and Saatchi Yates. Sign up for a place on the tour. JD Malat Mayfair[/caption]

10. Enjoy Art After Dark in Mayfair

Enjoy an evening of art in Mayfair on Thursday 29 June with Art After Dark which sees art galleries in Mayfair, St James's, Soho and Fitzrovia extending their opening hours until 8pm.  Participating galleries include JD Malat Gallery, Frith Street Gallery, The Koppel Project and many more. Sign up to an Art After Dark tour.    

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