A trio of US galleries opens in London before Frieze Art Fair

In advance of this year's Frieze Art Fair, three new American galleries have opened in Mayfair. The arrival of the new David Zwirner, Michael Werner and Pace galleries further cements London as Europe's main art marketplace and redraws the art map as the city centre eclipses the east end.
Writer: Emma O'Kelly
New York gallerist David Zwirner has converted a former private bank in Mayfair into his first European gallery. Artists' architect du jour, Annabelle Selldorf, (who created Zwirner's white cube style gallery in Chelsea, NY) has reworked the eighteenth century townhouse into an elegant 10,000 sq ft space, with three floors given over to exhibitions. Says the London gallery's director, Angela Choon: 'We chose London as the location for our first European gallery as its role as the centre of the European art world is so well established.' The new space will cement David Zwirner's existing links with artists, museums and collectors in the region. Its opening show features new canvasses by eminent Belgian painter Luc Tuymans, who has not shown in London since 2004. Next up, in January, will be minimalist sculptures from the late Fred Sandback.
'Luc Tuymans: Allo!' at David Zwirner runs until 17 November
'Allo! I' by Luc Tuymans, 2012. Photography: courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
The new David Zwirner gallery on 24 Grafton Street. Photography: Stephen White, courtesy David Zwirner, London
'Allo! IV, 2012' by Luc Tuymans, 2012. Photography: courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
Installation view at David Zwirner gallery. Photography: Stephen White, courtesy David Zwirner, London
'Allo! II' by Luc Tuymans, 2012. Photography: courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
'Allo! VI' by Luc Tuymans, 2012. Photography: courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
'Peaches' by Luc Tuymans, 2012. Photography: courtesy the artist and David Zwirner
Located next to Royal Academy, Pace's new gallery opens with a duet show of black and grey paintings by Rothko and seascapes by Hiroshi Sugimoto. The exhibition space, in the former home of the Haunch of Venison, has been revamped by David Chipperfield and is the 52-year-old gallery's second London offering in addition to a small gallery in Soho. Pace owner Marc Glimcher says; 'In London, people understand art one way, in New York, it's another, so we must embrace local uniqueness.' The new gallery director Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst adds; 'Although Pace is an American gallery, we hope to bring a more local feeling to this space. And we will use it to look east and chime with the Pace Gallery in Beijing. '
'Rothko/Sugimoto: Dark Paintings and Seascapes' at Pace Gallery runs until 17 November. 6 Burlington Gardens, London W1S 3ET
Pace Gallery takes over the west wing of 6 Burlington Gardens
Installation view at Pace Gallery
'Bay of Sagami, Atami' by Hiroshi Sugimoto, 1997. © Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy Pace Gallery
Untitled, by Mark Rothko, 1969. © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel and Christopher Rothko / Artist Rights Society, New York (ARS). Courtesy Pace Gallery
He has had a presence in London since 2007, but it is only now that Werner has opened a gallery. Located on two floors of a Georgian townhouse in Mayfair, the small but perfectly formed space has the feeling of a private salon and was chosen to complement Werner's brownstone space in New York and his townhouse gallery in Cologne. The opening show features work by Scottish artist Peter Doig, although Werner specialises in deceased Paris-based artists. He hopes to bring to London those who we haven't seen enough of; expect Francis Picabia and Jörg Immendorff in the near future.
The Peter Doig exhibition at Michael Werner runs until 22 December. 22 Upper Brook Street, London W1K 7PZ
Michael Werner gallery occupies a Georgian townhouse in Mayfair. Courtesy Michael Werner Gallery New York and London
'Painting for Wall Painters (Prosperity P.o.S.)' by Peter Doig, 2010-2012. Photography: courtesy Michael Werner Gallery, New York and London
'Cricket Painting (Paragrand)' by Peter Doig, 2006-2012. Photography: courtesy Michael Werner Gallery, New York and London
'Figure by a Pool' by Peter Doig, 2008-2012. Photography: courtesy Michael Werner Gallery, New York and London
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
For some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond, scroll below. Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we.
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Porsche Mission X concept sees the marque set its sights high
This all-electric hypercar has lofty performance goals and a new look for Porsche sports cars. Will it reach production?
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Loro Piana’s ‘Bale Bag’ is inspired by the house’s rich cashmere heritage
Inspired by the shape and texture of the bales of cashmere that Loro Piana uses to create its collections, the leather handbag draws a line between the house’s past and present
By Jack Moss • Published