Gallery Elena Shchukina – Definitely Worth a Visit

The Gallery Elena Shchukina is a special place in London. It was established by the artist Elena Shchukina, after whom it is eponymously named. It is located in the rather tony Mayfair area of London, at 10 Lees Place. The gallery opened in the last week of September in the year 2013 with a display of the works of Onyeka Ibe, an internationally acclaimed artist whose upbringing was significantly impacted by the chaos of Nigeria in the wake of its civil war.

According to Elena Shchukina, her desire is that the visitor to her gallery should as if he or she is stepping into a painting. Generating or rather, invoking this feeling in a visitor is no mean feat. However, Elena Shchukina, who is ethnically Siberian, studied in Moscow and Milan and therefore brings experience gained from her time spent across the continent.

When one plans to visit the gallery Elena Shchukina, it is important to keep in mind the fact that it is closed on Sunday and Monday and is open from nine to six in the evening, the rest of the week. However, Saturday is a minor exception as the place opens half an hour later than usual i.e. at half past nine. One of the things which sets the Gallery Elena Shchukina apart from the other galleries i.e. its peers is that it looks to create a comprehensive and ‘immersive effect’ on the mind of the visitor. This is rather different from many other galleries which show case single pieces, on an independent basis. Wall covers, furniture and paintings and interesting lighting are all thrown in to create a unique mix. It is much for the better as one does not have to evaluate pieces on their own and this arrangement hinders the mind from compartmentalising each object and unfortunately, as a result, not take in the full spectacle of the gallery.

In order to access the Gallery Elena Shchukina by the tube, it is recommended that one uses either the Marble Arch Tube Station or the Bond Street Tube Station. Both these tube stations are located within a five minute walking radius of the Gallery Elena Shchukina so which one uses is just a matter of choice and which direction one is approaching from. If one is driving to the Gallery Elena Shchukina, car parks are available within a three minute walking radius of the location. These car parks include Marble Arch Car Parks and the Millennium Mayfair NCP.

 

The visit to the Gallery Elena Shchukina can be made more effective by combining it with other locations which are worth visiting, which are also located in the area of Mayfair. The great thing about the Gallery Elena Shchukina is that one need not have to be content with his or her appetite for design be satisfied with just this gallery as there are multiple similar locations in the vicinity, as well. For example, the Michael Werner Gallery is well within walking distance from the Gallery Elena Shchukina and it takes just a couple of minutes to cover this distance. In addition to this, the Wallace Collection, where a large number of interesting talks are delivered is also a seven minute walk away. Alternatively, if one wishes to go and experience some musical history as well, the Handel House Museum is also in the neighbourhood of Mayfair as it is located at 25 Brook Street.

While the Gallery Elena Shchukina is something that is open all year round, there are also other event spaces in London city which at times host events which promote art and design or either one. Grand Ballroom at The Montcalm London Marble Arch is an apt example of such an event space. 

Visiting the Gallery Elena Shchukina is something that can change one’s perception of things such as the layout of their own living and working spaces. It can be said that the Gallery Elena Shchukina makes the visitor realise that art has a greater role to play in life than what is generally accepted. London is a city which has tried to and successfully incorporated interesting design in its contemporary structures. An example of this is the Gherkin, formally known as 30 St. Mary’s Axe and the Shard, the award winning structure by architect Renzo Piano. While one is likely to find it impossible to incorporate design from the Shard in to his or her life, what is possible is to learn and observe how a different layout can alter views and sometimes, even aesthetics.

If one has finished with the Gallery Elena Shchukina, he or she can also go over to the Brown Hart Gardens, which are just three minutes away. The location of the gardens, however, is unlikely as they are located above an electricity sub station!