Brancolini Grimaldi

The small exhibition spaces of the many Mayfair galleries can feel cold, aloof and impersonal, but Brancolini Grimaldi routinely bucks the trend. Once you’ve pressed the entry button, it feels inviting, warm and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The art on display is always the highlight of my occasional Mayfair gallery mini-​tours and it never fails to surprise. The current exhibition «What is Contemporary?» is excellent, drawing comparisons between very recent works and artefacts, hundreds of years old. The gallery seems to focus on innovative uses of photography, and with equally innovative curatorial decisions, Brancolini Grimaldi always feels ahead of the curve. The space is a beautiful one with huge windows looking out in Albemarle Street, maybe a bit too large sometimes, with some strong reflections of the glass being occasionally distracting.
The collection of books available is good, and when I needed help for an essay, the kind gallery assistant emailed me the section I required so I didn’t need to buy the book or stand there and take photos of it all. That reminds me: they let you take photographs! The staff here are more than the usual gallery people who sit behind high desks clacking away on fancy laptops looking very important. I like that you can hear them laughing and enjoying their job. They lack the chilly froideur of their compatriots, which is extremely welcome.
If you’re interested in contemporary art displayed to a very high personable standard, definitely swing by!