Two galleries located within minutes of each of other in Mayfair are collaborating on exhibitions by the same artist, American pop-artist Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004).  Not only that, but both have opened up new spaces in their galleries, not seen before.   Well done, Tom Wesselmann – look what you have achieved. 

Almine Rech Gallery has moved its office workers out from the lower level to reveal a fine new exhibition space entered down an elegant architectural steel staircase.  Hopefully this will continue as a new space for art exhibitions in the future. 

At the Gargosian in Davies Street, the main works are in the street-facing gallery, but, through a discrete new doorway, another new space has appeared.  The Gallery is opening up like a flower in bloom.

Wesselmann’s work is representative of its era, and it is good to see studies alongside his bold large works, perhaps a little shocking to people passing outside in sophisticated expensive Mayfair, as they see these overlarge images shining brightly out to the dark grey London autumn outside.

Over the years, I’d gotten excited about scale…I wanted to deal with these big shapes; so I came in closer and closer on the nude…That was really when my work began.  (Tom Wesselmann)