A digital platform providing galleries with the ability to collect, curate and exhibit online has announced the second iteration of a group of London galleries. Vortic uses cameras, websites and Oculus technology to provide immersive experiences for gallery visitors and collectors. With the public unable physically to visit London’s private art galleries during lockdown, Vortic have seen their services in demand, launching the second edition of the ‘London Collective’ of galleries this week.

Over twenty of the capital’s leading commercial galleries, including Stephen Friedman Gallery, KÖNIG GALERIE, Victoria Miro, White Cube and David Zwirner, will present virtual exhibitions on the Vortic platform, with new shows launching throughout the duration of the collective. The London Collective will run from 24 February until 30 April 2021 and will be available to view on the Vortic Collect app or online at vortic.art.

Tadesse Mesfin’s ‘Pillars of Life: Saturday Market VI’, Courtesy of the artist, Lucy Emms and digitally displayed at Addis Fine Art.

Works by over 60 artists will be on display including Genesis Belanger (Josh Lilley), William Eggleston (David Zwirner), Gilbert & George (White Cube), Tadesse Mesfin (Addis Fine Art), Rachel Maclean (Josh Lilley), Alice Neel (David Zwirner), Chris Ofili (Victoria Miro), Florence Peake (Bosse & Baum), Grayson Perry (Victoria Miro), Mohammed Qasim Ashfaq (Hannah Barry Gallery), Paula Rego (Victoria Miro), Thomas Ruff (David Zwirner), Sophie von Hellermann (Pilar Corrias), and Luiz Zerbini (Stephen Friedman Gallery).

The Collective was formed at the start of the covid pandemic, initially as a WhatsApp group for London galleries and art dealers to share information and ideas which all galleries could benefit from. Following the success of the first iteration, and with the third UK national lockdown currently taking place, the Collective has again been offered the use of the Vortic platform, enabling them to support one another by encouraging equal viewer opportunities and the sharing of audiences.

Luiz Zerbini, ‘Diagrama de um tempo insano III, 2020’, Acrylic on canvas, Copyright Luiz Zerbini. Courtesy the
artist and digitally displayed at the Stephen Friedman Gallery, London

While the first iteration was more reactive following the imposition of lockdown, this second London Collective says, via press release, that it is in recognition of a defining moment in how art is accessed, particularly in light of ongoing restrictions and the continued postponement of in-person art fairs and events. 

Digital curation, in its infancy just over a year ago, has grown significantly during lockdown and is likely to shape the future of the cultural sector and how art is appreciated, bought and sold.

Throughout the London Collective, participating galleries will host live events including conversations, artist talks and curator tours.

A list of all the London Collective galleries:

  • Addis Fine Art – (Merikokeb Berhanu, Girma Berta, Addis Gezehagn, Eyerusalem Jiregna, Ermias Kifleyesus, Tadesse Mesfin, Selome Muleta, Tariku Shiferaw & Tesfaye Urgessa)
  • Arcade – (Clive Hodgson)
  • ARCHEUS / POST-MODERN – (Max Bill, Dadamaino, Thomas Downing, Ellsworth Kelly, Julije Knifer, Julio Le Parc, Laura Lima, François Morellet, Bridget Riley & Victor Vasarely)
  • Hannah Barry Gallery – (Mohammed Qasim Ashfaq)
  • Ben Brown Fine Arts – (Frank Auerbach & Tony Bevan)
  • Bosse & Baum – (Florence Peake)
  • Cecilia Brunson Projects – (Lucia Pizzani)
  • Pilar Corrias – (Sophie von Hellermann)
  • Corvi-Mora – (Colter Jacobsen)
  • Stephen Friedman Gallery – (Luiz Zerbini)
  • Pippy Houldsworth Gallery – Artist to be announced
  • KÖNIG GALERIE – Artist to be announced
  • Josh Lilley – (Genesis Belanger, Gareth Cadwallader, Ian Davis, Oska Gutheil, Tau Lewis, Rachel Maclean, Harold Mendez, Sarah Pichlkostner, Celeste Rapone, Kathleen Ryan, Victor Seaward, Peter Shire, Brandi Twilley & Vicky Wright)
  • Victoria Miro – (Milton Avery, Jules de Balincourt, Ali Banisadr, NS Harsha, Secundino Hernández, Ilse D’Hollander, Chantal Joffe, Isaac Julien, Idris Khan, John Kørner, Chris Ofili, Celia Paul, Grayson Perry, Howardena Pindell, Tal R, Paula Rego, Do Ho Suh, Sarah Sze & Flora Yukhnovich)
  • The Modern Institute – (Michael Wilkinson)
  • Sid Motion Gallery – (Sebastian Nevols)
  • Pi Artworks – (Maude Maris)
  • Vigo Gallery – (Samuel Bassett)
  • Offer Waterman – (William Turnbull)
  • White Cube – (Gilbert & George)
  • David Zwirner – (William Eggleston, Alice Neel, Raymond Pettibon, Thomas Ruff, Christopher Williams & Jordan Wolfson)

 Exhibitions will now be available to view on any device which supports an internet browser at vortic.art in addition to mobile and tablet devices on the Vortic Collect app. Galleries and institutions will also now be able to host live talks within their exhibition spaces on Vortic. 

Main image shows ‘WOKEN 2020’ by Gilbert & George and shown at White Cube
© Gilbert & George. Courtesy White Cube (detail)

Alex Matchett

Alex Matchett is Editor of Culturall, specialising in culture, business and finance.