For cutting edge contemporary art, you'll find the London Miles Gallery the ideal place to satisfy your artistic cravings. Based in Notting Hill, the venue specialises in Lowbrow, Pop surrealism, illustration, fine art and pays homage to the New contemporary art movement.

The gallery adapts to the ever changing art market and is reluctant to shy away from controversy. The latest exhibition on show is no exception. The collection of pieces from established and emerging international talent forms a 'naughty but nice' presentation entitled Candy Coated Canvas.

Featuring art by the likes of Tiffany Liu, Jade Klara and KuKula, Candy Coated Canvas is a colourful and playful visual delight, evoking memories of childhood, sweets, fantasy lands and adult guilty pleasures. The grand opening on the July 24th was a great success and the sweet wonderland of artwork is available for public viewings until August 24th.





London Miles Gallery
212 Kensington Park Road
Notting Hill, W11 1NR
London, UK
Tel: 020 7727 4447
Web: www.londonmiles.com

The Timothy Taylor Gallery has been host to some impressive exhibitions, including that of sculptor Ron Arad and one of my favourite artisans Susan Hiller. It's a great spot for soaking up contemporary art and design.

The Diane Arbus exhibition at the Timothy Taylor Gallery on Dering street is not to be missed. The gallery pays homage to the American photographer by displaying sixty photographs of her work achieved between 1957 and 1971. Hailed as one of the most influential and original photographers of her time, Arbus explored the matter of people and society through the camera lens. She captured the sophistication, adolescence and eccentricity of her subjects who included socialites, nudists and young children. It ends on the 27th of June and admission is free.



Timothy Taylor Gallery
21 Dering Street
London
W1S 1AL

Web: www.timothytaylorgallery.com

Date: Starting on 22nd May
Location: 37 Endell Street in Seven Dials, London WC2

They say one man's junk is another man's treasure. Not convinced? Well a visit to 'Worthless' in Seven Dials may just change your mind. The live art installation has been inspired somewhat fittingly by the current recession. The project organised by the team at Pollocks, a creative organisation, fusing art, music and life, promises to transform everyday junk into priceless pieces of art.

From the 22nd - 29th May, you're invited to bring along your own worthless items and see them artistically recycled, ready for auction at a later event in June. And the reason is to challenge the notion of what we consider worthless, as Josef Valentino, founder and creative director of Pollocks explains; “Worthless is a harsh, derogation word - but what exactly does it mean? The term applies as much to every day junk as it does to retail casualties of the current economic climate – none more dramatic than the recent demise of retail giant, Woolworths.”

Don't miss the specially created 'Worthless' store, that will celebrate the institution that was Woolworths, via ironic references throughout the installation space. The pick of the best ‘worthless to priceless’ creations will be exhibited in the store from 1st – 5th June.

I'm a big music fan and the place where you'll find me enjoying it live is London's famous Jazz Café. Located in Camden and showcasing some of the hottest, jazz, soul, and world music artists, it's a fantastic groove spot.

With acts like Mor Karbasi (the divine Israeli alternative folk singer), Trilok Guru, (Indian composer and master musician) and UK hip-hop crew Breakin' Bread performing shows all in the same week, the Jazz Café is host to an impressive range of performing artists.

Aside from the music line up, the Café also has a menu of culturally rich cuisine on offer at the restaurant, from Spicy Chicken with Rice N' Peas to Thai Style Sword Fish and Stir Fried Egg Noodles. If you've never been to the Jazz Café, you're missing out!

Camden,
London, NW1 7PG
Web: www.jazzcafelive.com

Located in South Bank, overlooking the River Thames, The National is a house of three theatres hosting a number of cutting-edge and cultured productions. Loved for its traditional yet contemporary charm, it is also home to musical performances, exhibitions and artistic installations throughout the year.

Between the three auditoriums - the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Cottesloe, the theatre can have as much as eight productions in repertory at any one time. From new playwrights to the jazz bands - it's extensive programme aims to reflect and represent the diversity of british culture.


If you have an opportunity to visit this month, you're guaranteed some great productions on offer. Showing in March is Burnt by the Sun - a story of sexual jealously, political mischief and retribution, set in Moscow and under Stalin's rule. The play has received critical acclaim, having been given a 5 star rating by the Independent and 4 stars by the Daily Telegraph.

Also showing is a new play by Samuel Adamson entitled Mrs. Afleck. This production explores the true to life conflicts and clashes between marriage, in-laws and the test of love.

And on March the 26th, be sure to check out the free musical performance by Philip Clouts Trio, a jazz musician with South African flavour. Seat prices start from £10.



National Theatre
South Bank,
London
SE1 9PX
Web: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

When in London the perfect place to view fresh and exciting art is the Saatchi Gallery. The Gallery’s partnership with leading contemporary art auction house Phillips de Pury & Company has enabled it to successfully bring contemporary art to the widest audience possible.

With free admission to all shows, this cultural venue is the ideal excursion for an extensive introduction to artists and designers around the world who share a common love of contemporary art in various forms.

Be sure to visit the gallery in January 09 to see the latest exhibition which includes the showing of Feng Zhengjie's Chinese Portrait L Series 2006 No. 11. Zhengjie is an artist whose work is reminiscent of Warhol's screen printed celebrities. Zhengjie's paintings reflect a vision of futuristic pop through portraits of women infused with exotic colours, electrified auras, and styled with wind machine hair that exudes the glamour aesthetic of today's commodified media.

UNVEILED: NEW ART FROM THE MIDDLE EAST is showing at the Saatchi Gallery from Jan 30th - May 6th 2009



Images credit: Feng Zhengjie, Chinese Portrait L Series 2006 No. 11

Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York Square.
Kensington
London,
SW3 4RY
Web: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk