Saatchi's New Art

More than 20 years after he unleashed the first wave of Young British Artists on an unsuspecting public, Charles Saatchi is to present a new art exhibition of work by the next generation of YBAs. New Britannia is due to open in summer 2009 at Saatchi's new London art gallery, and will feature works by more than 42 artists, many of them from Saatchi's own collection. One of the earliest collectors of artists such as Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, Saatchi has a keen eye for new UK talent, and lent 110 of his works for the infamous 1997 art show Sensation at the Royal Academy of Arts. Among the works on display in New Britannia will be miniature animal sculptures by Tessa Farmer, sketches in black ink by Scotland's Donald Urquhart, paintings by Toby Ziegler, and Happiness, an installation by Barry Reigate. Saatchi's previous gallery, in London's County Hall, closed in 2005. The opening of his new premises in Chelsea, originally expected earlier this year, is now planned for the summer. Its 70,000 sq ft will make it the largest independent contemporary art space in the capital. The gallery will house the permanent installation 20:50, Richard Wilson's pool of recycled engine oil; there will also be a series of temporary displays. As well as New Britannia, these will include exhibitions of art from India and China, according to the gallery's Annabel Fallon. "Our inaugural exhibition will be The Revolution Continues: New Art from China," Fallon says. "We expect to follow this exhibition with our sculpture show The Shape of Things to Come and other exhibitions, such as New Britannia." (For full source and full article click the Headline). Irish Art