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  Photography: RONALD MUGABE 

 

 

 

 [Culture](/culture) 

 



 /  02 October 2024  

#  Culture Picks From 2 Guys In The Know  


 Autumn is when London’s cultural scene heats up. From new theatre shows and exhibitions to old favourite music venues and galleries, here’s what a couple of art-world insiders think you should know about right now.  
 

 



 

  Photography: RONALD MUGABE 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/X6flE0pgcIWzrwvKBPe9tnjuNCE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F10%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-ryanstanier.png?itok=hNvcaRB2)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4IerUBoINo/?hl=en&img_index=1) 

@Ryan.Stanier; @saramckinnon_

 

 

 

 

 

## Ryan Stanier 

### Founder of The Other Art Fair 

  

 

**THE GALLERIES**

For a big-name gallery, [White Cube](https://www.whitecube.com/) is great. The current [Tracey Emin exhibition](https://www.whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/tracey-emin-bermondsey-2024) (until 10th November) is definitely worth a visit. Another favourite of mine is [Cob Gallery](https://www.cobgallery.com/), which is more of a mid-tier gallery that’s still quite under the radar. It has a brilliant selection – the curators have a good eye for choosing artists you probably won’t have heard of. Then there’s [Rosenfeld Gallery](https://galleryrosenfeld.com/) in Fitzrovia, another somewhat lesser-known spot, as well as [Jealous Gallery](https://jealousgallery.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoogRlOVjUHWQUZhm3fvZnnXBlUo6lN4PWOPmEUL464dWb3mhmt8), whose owner loves working directly with artists. I’ve bought prints here for a tenner. I love when people in the art world find a balance between supporting artists and making their work accessible to the public. It’s art for all – definitely a philosophy I sign up to.

**THE ARTISTS**

There are so many artists everyone who cares about art should know about. I’m loving [Anna Sudbina](https://annasudbinastudio.com/) right now – she’s incredible and creates these beautiful paintings. I also have to mention Lisa Marie Price, an abstract painter, and Alec Cumming. He’s exhibited with us several times. Based in Norfolk, he creates stunning abstract, colourful paintings. And of course, there's Dan Hillier. Dan was the inspiration behind me starting [The Other Art Fair](https://www.theotherartfair.com/) in the first place. I discovered him exhibiting at Spitalfields Market about 15 years ago. He was the very first artist I ever showed, and the first whose artwork I sold. He became a close friend over time and has been with me on this journey with the fair. Sadly, he passed away suddenly earlier this year. As this is our 100th fair, his family will be showing his works, so he’ll still be a part of it in some way.

 

 [ ![Tracey Emin](https://media.slman.com/drPUsoc7-bIliBwalW8y16iet5Q=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F09%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-ryan-tracey-emin-collection.png?itok=a7qQxxLY)

 

 ](https://www.whitecube.com/gallery-exhibitions/tracey-emin-bermondsey-2024) 

Tracey Emin  


 

 

 

 

 

 

**THE THEATRE**

I went to the theatre about a month ago and saw the most incredible show. [*People, Places &amp; Things*](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/people-places-and-things/) at the National was just mind-blowing, and you can now watch it at home on the theatre’s on-demand streaming service. Definitely the best show I’ve ever seen. Otherwise, I trust everything [Sadler’s Wells](https://www.sadlerswells.com/) puts on, and look forward to its sister site opening in Stratford.   
  
**THE MUSIC**

I’m really into [Khruangbin](https://open.spotify.com/artist/2mVVjNmdjXZZDvhgQWiakk) at the moment. They’re playing in November, so I’ve got tickets for that. I’ve been dying to see them for a couple of years now. I’m also going to see Lauryn Hill when she returns to the UK with the Fugees, which is going to be amazing. They’re playing at the O2 and there are still some [tickets](https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ms-lauryn-hill-the-fugees-tickets/artist/5460671) left.

**THE VENUE**

I love the [Jazz Cafe](https://thejazzcafelondon.com/) in Camden. It always hosts these fun, off-the-wall events. The most recent one I attended was a night called Hip Hop Classics, where three rappers performed on stage with an orchestra. The audience was eclectic – everyone from Doris from accounts to a crew of aspiring hip hop artists, students, and people like me. They also have a hip hop karaoke night where you have to get up and perform with no lyrics on the screen, but the whole room sings along with you. The MC for the night is easily the funniest guy on the planet.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/jzYmDmN9OdPlKRyI0L4X14NajaE=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F09%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-ryan-credit-the-house-of-koko.png?itok=mY7xlcVF)

 

 ](https://www.koko.co.uk/) 

The House Of Koko

 

 

 

 

 

 

**THE CLUB**

I love going to [Koko](https://www.koko.co.uk/) in Camden – I'm a member there. It hosts some great nights in the main ballroom, and its new sound system is incredible. I saw Jorja Smith perform there not too long ago. It’s quite an intimate space but still manages to have an amazing atmosphere. On a Friday night, if I’ve hosted a dinner party at my house and it's 11 o’clock, we’ve all had a few drinks, and we’re feeling a bit merry, that’s where we go. There’s always a great DJ playing fantastic music. It’s the perfect spot to go, have a dance, and just be a bit silly.

 

## Hugo Barclay 

### UK director of Affordable Art Fair 

  

 

**THE ARTISTS**

A visual artist specialising in figurative portraits, [Ronald Mugabe](https://www.galerieduret.com/en/artistes/ronald-mugabe-41) has an expressive and bold style that will draw you in. His work explores social struggles, justice, community and belonging, inviting us to confront hard truths. From spending most of his childhood as a homeless orphan in the slums of Kampala to being offered a scholarship to join Uganda's most prestigious art school, his incredible story further brings consciousness to such realities.

[Alejandra Aristizabal](https://www.alejandraaristizabal.com/) is also up there. She uses the fique plant in her work, and directly supports the indigenous communities who assist her in harvesting and drying this unique natural fibre. For me, these works are about connection – interconnection between people and nature, culture and the appreciation for the finite resources that bind them.

[Shivangi Ladha](https://www.shivangiladha.com/) is another name to keep an eye on. Specialising in printmaking, Shivangi’s work looks at identity and her engagement with social, ecological and political spaces, and the idea of the collective voice of a crowd.

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/Liq-IZ1ralwfl-q0TjiSOP56uGU=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F10%2Fslman-culture-2-guys-in-the-know-hugo-barclay.png?itok=EPW_XilC)

 

 ](https://www.hugobarclay.com/now) 

 

 

 

 

 

**THE EXHIBITION**

I’m looking forwarding to visiting [Ade Adesina’s solo exhibition](https://edinburghprintmakers.co.uk/viewing-room/61-intersection-ade-adesina) at Edinburgh Printmakers. I find Ade’s work intriguing, and this exhibition will showcase his new processes and experimentations with woodcuts and linocuts.

**THE SHOW**

[*The Real Thing* at The Old Vic](https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/the-real-thing?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_khre3GE7Be04igeFhCNXH7BGm-UOirYcdFsPlcOWCpF7nblw7ddI-BoCiOUQAvD_BwE) is a new show by Tom Stoppard – and it’s on for another few weeks. It’s about a couple whose relationship started as an affair, and all the complications that brings. The Old Vic is an old stomping ground for me. I lived five minutes from The Cut when I first moved to London, so the venue is a special place.

 

 

 

 [ ![Ade Adesina](https://media.slman.com/gHTPCpu8h0pH45OWeUCed-GNzCg=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F09%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-hugo-barclay-ade-adesina-normal-landscape.png?itok=EaNKU9Sz)

 

 ](https://adeadesina.com/) 

Ade Adesina  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/wRHVHKDRJcuTuyc8UNtUCRDt9zA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F09%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-hugo-barclay-credit-ronald-muagbe.png?itok=e6UeH2vz)

 

 ](https://www.galerieduret.com/en/artistes/ronald-mugabe-41) 

Ronald Mugabe

 

 

 

 

 

**THE BOOKS**

I recently enjoyed [*Scaffolding*](https://amzn.to/3Y18efA) by Lauren Elkin. This new novel is set in France (where I spend a lot of time with my family) and follows two couples who live in the same apartment in Paris almost 50 years apart. It crackles with tension as the characters navigate their parallel lives, and I’m completely hooked. I’ve also been a fan of Seth Godin for a decade – from *Tribes* to *Purple Cow*, his books concisely explain big concepts in simple terms. [*The Icarus Deception*](https://amzn.to/4eGa7nm) is about how we interpret change and moving out of one’s comfort zone.

**THE PODCAST**

[*Leading*](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/leading/id1665265193) by *The Rest Is Politics* hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart is my current go-to. I recommend starting with episode 66 where they interview Antony Gormley. They get into the weeds of domestic and geopolitical topics with their guests in a really engaging way.

**THE FILM**

Based on the book by Judy Blume, [*Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret*](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Are-You-There-God-Margaret/dp/B0B8V41JX3) came out last year. Set in 1970, it’s a light-hearted story about identity, focusing on a teenager coming of age in a mixed Jewish-Christian family.

**THE MUSIC**

I’ve been listening to a lot of [Javi Medina](https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dwFgF51JkLBz93ocNJ0Ol), including his recent single ‘Me La Llevo’. He’s in a sort of contemporary flamenco genre, and his music makes for the perfect feel-good playlist.

**THE VENUE**

[O2 Academy Brixton](https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/) is one of my favourite venues in the capital. The line-up of acts is always great, and they showcase up-and-coming talent. I saw an incredibly show by Leon Bridges there back in 2017.

*Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Affordable Art Fair's Autumn edition will take place from 16th to 20th October.*

Visit [AffordableArtFair.com](https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-battersea-autumn)

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/TYV29bRzh2L9M7f2P5rxsyD4IRM=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F10%2Fslman-culture-picks-from-2-guys-in-the-know-hugo-barclay-scaffolding-rocco-dipoppa-unsplash.png?itok=MMDJS2zp)

 

 ](https://amzn.to/4eGYDQz) 

rocco dipoppa/Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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