Louise T Blouin Institute

Went to an small intimate exhibition Portraits Of A Generation — Photographs by Chris Scott. Was fantastic, loved the space, the art, the company. Will be back for more.

The LBI works on the basis of being a not-​for-​profit organisation, offering a broad annual arts based event programme and an ultramodern contemporary gallery space. Their aim is to showcase both well known and emerging artists, and to nurture the wider significance of the communitiy’s creative society.
If you turn off the main road just head for the imposing industrial looking building with the multicoloured façade ahead (it’s impossible to miss). Each of the Edwardian windows on the three story building has a glowing light installation behind, giving a striking and often changing (as each can work independently from one another) show. The building itself is a massive visual spectacle.
I’ve only ever visited for temporary exhibitions that are held on the ground floor in the swish gallery space. I really like the vast white walls and dark wooden floor whilst the different leveled ceiling gives it an interesting dimension. At the side of the gallery the Courtyard Café stays open until 6pm although a couple of times I’ve visited it’s stayed open much later offering dark rum and brownies to accompany the late night events. This is the sort of touch that makes an exhibition that little bit more enjoyable.
I don’t usually head West for my exhibition fixes and from asking around I’ve found that few of my friends know about this lovely place. I’ve always been the first to take people and I’ll continue to do so because it really is a little gem. The Foundation not only offers innovative exhibitions in a fantastic space, but it’s constantly (and modestly) working away with London’s artistic community to promote culture, creativity and education. This is something well worth celebrating in my book.

LTB is a bit off the beaten track and a little hard to find, but once you get here it’s totally worth it.
The space itself is pretty striking architecturally speaking with it’s red brick exterior and arched windows. The interior is a beautifully designed state of the art white space. It’s such a pleasure walking around viewing art in such a spacious building.
They often have interesting workshops here which you can find out about on their website!
When you are done with the art you can hang out in the café lit by skylights, sip coffee and talk about art. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Right now the institute houses a collection by Richard Meier entitled Art and Architecture. He is the youngest person to win the Pritzker Prize. This exhibitions has scluptures, collages and other things made in the 45 years of his architectural practice. There are also cuttings and many things collected from his travels including photographs of buildings that inspired him. For those who do not know him, he is the one who designed all the buildings in the computer game Sim City 4.