I can’t remember where I first got the hat tip for the excellent Brown Collection over in Marylebone. Maybe it was from Londonist?
And so I found myself on a miserable, wet Soho afternoon, kicking about with an hour or so to spare.
The record shop circuit (and budget) had been exhausted. I couldn’t be arsed to hit the BOOZE.
Hey! How about that freebie gallery that I have a vague recollection of a recommendation?
It’s a ten minute cut through from the West End and around the back streets of Marylebone. Look out for the Mews, and then WOH! Won’t you look at that.
What a BEAUT.
The building itself is a work of art. Beautifully restored as a town house period piece of architecture, yet still effortlessly blending in with burgeoning wine and dine scene around these parts.
I was wet, wearing a pair of stomping red cherry DM’s and looking a little distressed tbh. I wasn’t your typical Art Gallery Circuit Wanker.
I was welcomed in my the most polite of young fellas. I visibly made an effort of stamping my size 8’s on the matting, not wanting to drag half of the wet Soho shit into the space.
Erm, what next?
My host knew exactly what the score was.
“Have you visited before?”
Nope.
“Do you know anything about Glenn Brown?”
I made my apologies.
“How much time do you have?”
I think my answer of half an hour or so wasn’t too cheeky, or too imposing either.
“PERFECT!”
…said my host.
It was explained how Glenn Brown founded the gallery with his husband Edgar Laguinia. The aim is to showcase Brown’s work (and why not?) alongside other artists of a similar style and perspective.
I then heard a little more about how Brown’s own work concentrates on the finer details and brush strokes, often to reveal secondary images within the overall canvas.
This technique has a specific name in the art world. I’ve forgotten it, as I was a little concerned that my wet DM’s were now leaving a slight puddle on the immaculate wooden flooring.
Apologies, Mr B.
Magnifying glasses are available across all four floors of the gallery. Visitors are encourage to focus in on the finer detail - a nice touch.
I was then let loose to do my thing. Immediately I was drawn, so to speak, to the Austin Osman Spare artworks. He has a specific place in contemporary Transpontine architecture.
Elsewhere and the work was as stunning as the surrounds. I think I might have just found my Nu Fave Art Gallery.
The lush, bright colours of Brown contrasted well with the under-stated decors of each gallery. Each floor had sufficient space to maintain my interest without getting bored.
The current Hoi Polloi exhibition displays work of the “great unwashed masses.” It was nowhere near as insulting as the title might suggest.
The cellar containing sculptures was a particular fave. The space itself is remarkable. You can hear and feel the vibrations of the Victoria Line running underneath.
Next time it rains in Soho, I’ll know exactly where to wander.
