Christie’s and Arts Council Collection Mark 80 Years with Close Encounters Exhibition

From June 3 to June 21, 2026, Christie’s London will present Close Encounters: Figuration, Painting and Landscape, marking the 80th anniversary of the Arts Council Collection. This exhibition features pieces by notable artists such as David Hockney, Sonia Boyce, Peter Doig, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, among others. It explores the evolution of British art, pairing historical icons with contemporary acquisitions. Key themes include intimacy and bodily experiences (Hockney, Raw, Kimeze), landscape as a reflection of memory (Armitage, Doig, Suleman Aqeel Khilji), and the influence of Black British women artists (Yiadom-Boakye, Johnson, Boyce). The event aligns with London Gallery Weekend, offering extended hours from June 5 to 7. The Arts Council Collection, created post-WWII, now comprises over 8,500 works by over 2,400 artists, including Francis Bacon and Tracey Emin. Christie’s Tessa Lord highlighted the partnership’s commitment to accessibility and innovation. Additionally, the Arts Council Collection initiated the x London Gallery Weekend Under 40 Acquisition Fund to procure works from participating galleries. Admission is free.