The Saatchi Gallery (displaying Charles Saatchi's collection - one half of Saatchi and Saatchi advertising, before they were ousted in 1995) aims to provide an accessible forum for contemporary art.

The Saatchi Gallery opened over twenty years ago at a time when only those with a dedicated interest in contemporary art, visited the gallery to see work by new artists. After a two year period at County Hall, the gallery moved to its new premises in 2008, the 70,000 sq. ft. Duke of York HQ building on the King's Road, Chelsea. With the televised Turner Prize and Tate Modern's visitor numbers breaching the 5.5 million mark, awareness about contemporary art has certainly progressed since the Saatchi first opened its doors in 1985. It deserves more than a portion of the credit.

It's common for artists showing at The Saatchi Gallery to be unknown when first exhibited, not only to the general public but also to the commercial art world. Many of these artists are subsequently offered shows by galleries and museums internationally. In this respect, the gallery is an important springboard for young artists hoping to gain national and international recognition.

The gallery is the only completely free-entry contemporary art museum of its size in the world. Free entry is possible through the gallery's partnership with contemporary art auction house - Phillips de Pury & Company.

The Saatchi Gallery's goal is to continue to show contemporary work that would otherwise not be seen in large London institutions such as Tate Modern. The gallery's head of development, Rebecca Wilson, said, "The Saatchi Gallery's guiding principle is to show what is being made now... the most interesting artists of today. It's about drawing people's attentions to someone who might be tomorrow's Damien Hirst." The gallery's aim is to make art more accessible to the mainstream, rather than an exclusive artworld pursuit.

Charles Saatchi has been accused of being an art dealer and not a collector, since he has twice sold the majority of his collection, once their value had been adequately 'talked up'. Harsh criticism perhaps, but relations with Young British Artists certainly soured after he offloaded the majority of their work in 2004-5 - with some pieces (such as Mark Quinn's 'Self') selling at over 120 times their purchase price.Over to you Charles!

You can access the gallery from the King's Road where you'll find an interesting knot of nearby shops and restaurants in Duke of York's Square.

 

Duke of York's HQ, Sloane Square, London, SW3 4RY.

Sloane Square Tube.

Call: 020 7823 2363

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