Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) returns for its fifth edition, once again bringing the borough to life with exciting and immersive public art events. The vibrant celebration of culture across the borough is free and open to all, offering a diverse programme of public art installations, exhibits, murals, walking tours, events, talks and unexpected experiences in unusual locations.
For summer 2022, the entire borough will be enriched with creativity across mediums revolving around the curatorial theme of Nourishment. KCAW brings together an extraordinary cross-section of unmissable art and culture in the heart of West London and will also focus on the local food and drinks culture.
KENSINGTON + CHELSEA PUBLIC ART TRAIL ALL SUMMER FROM 18 JUNE
The Opening of this year’s KCAW Art Trail is on 18th June, the day also marked by the annual Chelsea Arts Club Parade through the streets of Chelsea. Each Midsummer the artists of the Chelsea Arts Club, in extravagant fancy dress, gather at James Whistler’s statue on the Embankment to raise a glass to their founder, before following a parade band in procession back to the Club for their private Summer Ball. This year the Club will be holding ‘The Belle Epoque Lily Pond Ball’ – a theme which will be vividly portrayed on the Club’s façade in Old Church Street for the duration of KCAW.
Always a much-photographed event for London, the Public Art Trail will feature world-class sculpture, installations and exhibits throughout the borough. Past editions have included pieces by the likes of Alex Chinneck, Liz West, Zac Ové and Barnaby Barford. Presented across nine zones, the Art Trail will take up residence at some of West London’s most beautiful and iconic sites, including Napoleon Garden in Holland Park, Sloane Square, Duke of York Square, King’s Road Curve, Earl’s Court, Notting Hill Gate, North Kensington and Chelsea Physic Garden.
The final line-up, which is chosen by an esteemed select committee via an annual Open Call, will be revealed in early June and full details of the participating artists, their work and where to find it will be available via the KCAW Digital Art Map.
