Have the art gallery to yourself

THERE is “no better time to see art”, say gallery owners, because the reopened spaces will have fewer people in them as a result of social distancing measures.

Crowds commonplace at popular art galleries will be restricted by an appointment-based booking system in some areas, allowing small groups of art lovers to visit safely within coronavirus guidelines.

Galleries are among the institutions reopening to the public this week, but social distancing will be in place and face masks available at the door of some London locations. Some exhibition spaces will only allow dozens of admissions, compared with thousands of weekly visits prior to lockdown.

The extra space and silence in venues will offer an almost private experience for visitors, and curators believe it could be the ideal opportunity to enjoy art in peace.

“It couldn’t really be a better time to see art, actually,” said Neil Wenman, a partner at Hauser & Wirth, which will only allow 15 people at a time to view its conceptual art.

“It’s a special time to come and see the art because there will undoubtedly be less people. Given that, the experience will be even more intimate, and they can really sit and look at the art or stand and look at the painting with much more sense of being one-on-one with the artwork.”

The David Zwirner gallery in Mayfair will admit a maximum of 10 people at once, which will drastically reduce admissions from the usual 1,000 each week.

Senior partner Angela Choon said: “We think that by doing it this way people can have a more intimate and secure way of viewing art again, without being worried about their safety. It gives you a much more intimate and more personal experience. It’s quite a treat right now to see art.”