The Saatchi Gallery is commemorating four decades of contemporary art with a striking winter exhibition that features an enormous lake of crude oil and a car spinning mid-air above a sea of discarded tires. The anniversary show represents a major milestone for the institution that has been at the forefront of contemporary art since the 1980s.
Established during the explosive rise of the Young British Artists movement in the 1980s, the Saatchi Gallery first opened its doors in 1985 in a converted paint factory in St. John's Wood. The gallery later moved to County Hall on the South Bank in 2003, before settling into its current location in Chelsea in 2008 following a somewhat turbulent departure from its previous venue.
For this significant anniversary exhibition, the gallery has curated an eclectic mix of artists who have long been associated with the institution. The show combines newly commissioned works with familiar pieces from the gallery's storied past, creating what can be described as a challenging exhibition that offers something of a buffet-style selection across a wide range of artistic expressions. The goal appears to be ensuring that every visitor will find at least something appealing, though the diverse nature of the collection means that not every piece will resonate with every viewer.
True to the nature of modern art, some of the works on display fulfill the stereotype of appearing as seemingly meaningless sculptures and canvases that might require an advanced degree in art theory to fully comprehend. However, others possess an immediate emotional impact that can leave viewers gasping in delight and wonder.
One of the interactive highlights includes a mirrored labyrinth that visitors are invited to enter and explore at their own risk. Despite being labeled as a maze by the gallery, the installation functions more as an engaging walkthrough experience that proves both entertaining and thought-provoking for those brave enough to venture inside.
As visitors navigate through the exhibition spaces, a distinctive aroma begins to permeate their senses, reminiscent of old automotive garages and gas stations. This sensory experience leads to two of the show's most remarkable installations. Allan Kaprow's "Yard," a room filled with tires that visitors can actually jump and play on, creates an interactive environment that challenges traditional gallery etiquette. Spinning overhead is Conrad Shawcross's "Golden Lotus," an upside-down car installation that also pumps out a specially created soundtrack by electronic artist Mylo. The combination creates a stunning effect that can only be fully appreciated by standing in the room itself, generating an atmosphere not unlike an edgy nightclub scene.
Directly above this automotive-themed space sits one of the gallery's most iconic installations: Richard Wilson's "20:50." This massive room is filled with raw, unrefined oil, creating a mirror-like surface that reflects the ceiling and walls. However, the visual impact of the mirrored effect becomes almost secondary to the powerful smell rising from the oil, which transforms what might otherwise be a space for quiet contemplation into something that borders on revulsion, yet remains strangely captivating and memorable.
The ambitious exhibition spans two complete floors and encompasses nine large rooms, ensuring that most visitors will discover at least one piece that speaks to them personally. While the show functions as a comprehensive snapshot of what contemporary artists are creating at this moment in time—encompassing the good, the bad, and the controversial—it provides an unparalleled overview of the current state of the art world.
"The Long Now" exhibition will remain on display at the Saatchi Gallery until March 1, 2026. Standard admission tickets are priced at £15, with concession tickets available for £10. Family tickets covering two adults and two children cost £34, while children under six years old can enter free of charge.
