See inside Gagosian's big show on abstraction, featuring over 40 artists, from Vija Celmins to Oscar Murillo

For the first time, Gagosian has planned such a large exhibition in London that the works have taken over the gallery’s two Mayfair locations at Grosvenor Hill and Davies Street. The extra space is needed to house the paintings of more than 40 renowned artists, ranging from members of the old guard like Vija Celmins, Frank Bowling, Pat Steir and Gerhard Richter to ultra-contemporary stars like Jadé Fadojutimi, Tauba AuerbachAnd Oscar Murillo.

This vast selection of mainly American, British and German artists is the result of intensive 18-month research by guest curator Gary Garrels. The art historian’s impressive museum credentials include major exhibitions at Hammer, MoMA and SFMoMA, hence he resigned in 2020 after staff members started a petition calling for his removal.

The idea behind such an in-depth survey of new and recent work is to offer insight into the many different types of abstract painting that exist today, inviting us to see the works in conversation with each other, and to assess which qualities they share and which mark them apart as distinct. Together, the paintings demonstrate the enduring power of abstract art to surprise and delight.

The title of the show “Bend the ear of the outside world,” was borrowed from a poem by Frank O’Hara, establishing the exhibition as a follow-up to Garrel’s 2008 O’Hara-inspired exhibition, “Oranges and Sardines,” at the Hammer in Los Angeles. Rightly so, he decided to include many of the same artists he’s admired for many decades.

“As a curator, I’ve discovered that artists look at art with a focus and scrutiny, a critique and an engagement, that few of us can summon with the same intensity,” Garrels said in a statement. Press release.

The preview works from the show below.