LONDON.- As the international community flocks to London for the Olympic Games, Shizaru hosts This is London, an exhibition featuring a cross section of contemporary art from London. Centered on some of London’s eccentric heritage, the included 46 artists span an impressive array of mediums and processes. Spread over two floors among five gallery spaces, the exhibition will offer a completely immersive experience, as the artists have been invited to cover every square inch of space within the gallery, with artworks hung Salon style.

London acts as a multicultural melting pot of artists, from all over the world, who have chosen the city as a place to live and work, and the exhibition seeks to capture London’s tangled internationalism. The show features artists such as Kelly McCallum, who although Canadian is heavily informed by English Victoriana taxidermy and Bouke de Vries who pays homage to his Dutch legacy through the medium of ceramics. Sohelia Sokhanvari also retains her Iranian identity, though having studied at Goldsmiths (where Michael Craig-Martin, also in the exhibition, tutored the YBA’s) and living in London and Alinka Echeverria who’s work, although produced in London, deals with subjects from Cuba and Mexico, highlighting the diversity of contemporary London life.

Founder Benjamin Khalili recognises the mounting excitement for the exhibition and its viewers. ‘What we wanted to bring to the table during the Olympics was a platform for visitors to see how London has become defined by the creative community and the arts. Each of these artists has a unique connection with London, regardless of where they were born.’ Part of this is the THIS IS LONDON library that will be installed throughout the exhibition. Exhibiting artists were invited to contribute their favorite book about their favorite London based artist. Guests are invited to come and peruse the library throughout the duration of the show. Furthermore, Shizaru has invited a selection of gallerists and collaborators to join in the exhibition with a selection of key artists from their stable, as well as events, performances and talks organized by the respective galleries at the Shizaru space.

For an unprecedented opportunity to see some of the most exciting names in contemporary art, THIS IS LONDON will be open from July 25, running until September 28.