WHAT? Anastasia Samoylova: Adaptation

WHERE? Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 4RY

WHEN?  Now until 20th January, 2025

WHY GO? For a snapshot of life. Visit this inspiring contemporary gallery and find three new exhibitions for the price of one, along with Saatchi’s regular free art displays across the ground floor. 

It’s so worth a visit especially to see the work of Russian-born American photographer Samoylova, who is now based in Miami.  A name we may not recognise, but one we will certainly hear more about in the future for her work leaves a lingering haunting impression especially her series of images captured during floods, hurricanes and natural disasters in Florida which poignantly echo the current catastrophes in Spain. 

The other two exhibitions - As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic spotlights photographers from the African Diaspora while the third, pays tribute to Aneesa Dawoojee, a  documentary photographer who focuses on links between the UK and West Indies. 

Back to the biggie, Samoylova directs her camera towards the environment and consumerism, encouraging us to look closely into what is slowly happening all around us and how we are reacting to it hence the apt title Adaptation. 

Samoylova’s photographs encourage us to stop, reflect and decode and if you want to delve in  further, there’s a stunning accompanying book in the gallery’s inviting gift shop. 

IN THE KNOW Enjoy a quick art fix for free. Saatchi’s ever evolving mini displays encourage budding young art lovers. 

Next up, Philip Colbert’s The Battle For Lobsteropolis  is a colourful hyper-pop art saga of lobsters battling artificial intelligence.  The mind boggles! 

Opens on 29th November.