LONDON.- Monday 12 June marked the launch of Art in Mayfair 2023, with Royal Academician Bob & Roberta Smith revealing his vibrant flag artwork designs entitled ‘A puzzle 4U’ on Bond Street. These flags also fly above North Audley Street, South Audley Street and Duke Street for visitors to explore. Upon first look, the flag artworks present a jumble of letter forms – or puzzle - arranged in different combinations, which leaves the public to try and decipher the meaning themselves. On the reverse side, walking back down the streets of Mayfair in the other direction, the slogan is revealed.

Time to coincide with the 255th Summer Exhibition, Art in Mayfair sees the Royal Academy of Arts join forces with Bond Street from 12 June – 9 July for their annual immersive showcase of art and culture.

The iconic Sculpture Trail has also returned for 2023, with artists such as Barry Flanagan OBE RA, Johnny Hawkes, Kalliopi Lemos and Bernar Venet taking part. Art is popping up throughout Bond Street and for the first time this year, across Mayfair too, creating an immersive art experience like no other where visitors can explore both the temporary and permanent artworks set throughout the destination.

Mayfair’s most iconic brands and designers are also collaborating with the area’s galleries and their world-renowned artists, to host a series of pop-up exhibitions, showcases, talks and masterclasses throughout the next month. The festival transforms the neighbourhood into a live exhibition in recognition of Mayfair’s rich art heritage.

The world-leading fashion and fine jewellery houses across Bond Street are joining forces with the Royal Academy of Arts for the sixth year in their annual showcase of art and culture. This year’s Art in Mayfair will be larger than ever before, with the tailors of Savile Row taking part for the second year alongside the unique brands of Mount Street, North and South Audley Street and Duke Street who all join for the first time.

Timed to coincide with the Royal Academy’s 255th Summer Exhibition, Art in Mayfair will run from 12 June – 9 July 2023, as an immersive arts festival in celebration of the area’s vibrant arts and cultural scene.

This year, world-renowned contemporary artist Bob and Roberta Smith RA – whose best known work includes Make Art Not War – has been invited to create the unique Art in Mayfair flags. Entitled ‘A puzzle 4U’, these will hang above Bond Street, North Audley Street, South Audley Street and Duke Street. Upon first look, the flag artworks present a jumble of letter forms arranged in different combinations, which leaves the public to try and decipher the meaning themselves. On the reverse side, walking back down the streets of Mayfair in the other direction, the slogan is revealed. The puzzle itself will be unveiled for the first time when the flag artworks go up throughout Mayfair on 12 June.

Bob and Roberta Smith RA says the inspiration behind the project is that it should be “a genuinely playful experience in amongst all of the hullabaloo of central London.” He goes on to say: “I have always been obsessed with letter forms and words and what slogans mean – what is it that people try to say when they come up with a slogan or a phrase? Do they really mean what they say? Language is such abeautiful thing, made up of these 26 shapes. Throughout my whole life, that notion has preoccupied me quite a bit.”

The iconic Sculpture Trail also returns for 2023, with artists such as Barry Flanagan OBE RA, Johnny Hawkes, Kalliopi Lemos and Bernar Venet taking part. Art will spill out onto Bond Street and for the first time this year, across Mayfair too, creating an immersive art experience like no other where visitors can explore both the temporary and permanent artworks set throughout the destination.

Mayfair’s most iconic brands and designers will also collaborate with the area’s galleries and their world- renowned artists to host a series of pop-up exhibitions, showcases, talks and masterclasses. The festival will transform the neighbourhood into a live exhibition in recognition of Mayfair’s rich art heritage.

Frances Corner OBE has authored an essay for the launch of Art in Mayfair called ‘Living at the Crossroads of Fashion and Art’ which explores the symbiotic relationship between fashion and art as well as Bond Street’s physical demonstration of this relationship, where galleries and fashion houses exist side by side: “When you look around London, exhibitions unpack fashion history and fashion boutiques are styled like exhibitions. Where once fashion and art came together in certain institutions, cities or even streets, now that merging is everywhere.”

Katie Thomas, Associate Director at Bond Street & Mayfair, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the collaborative working relationship between art and fashion for our sixth year, working once again with the Royal Academy of Arts – an incredible institution located right on our doorstep. As always, our hope for Art in Mayfair is to open a door into the worlds of art and fashion, which can easily feel inaccessible or alienating at times. The two are without doubt having a real moment and we are excited to see what our luxury houses have in store this year for Art in Mayfair. Look out for interesting collaborations, for example Canali and Dairo Vargas.”

London’s famous Bond Street is renowned across the world for its wealth of elegant flagship stores, exclusive brands, designer fashion, fine jewellery, and watches. Its leading art galleries and auction houses have played a pivotal role in the heritage of the area, creating a unique and thriving mix of culture and luxury that defines the destination. New West End Company is a leading voice for the West End’s
retail and property sector, representing 600 businesses across 80 streets in London’s West End & Mayfair including Bond Street. Working in partnership with members and stakeholders, the organisation has driven a renewal of London’s retail heartland and continues to lead transformational projects, while creating meaningful relationships with commercial partners to further elevate the global profile of the West End & Mayfair to international, domestic, and local audiences.

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded by King George III in 1768. It has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists. Its public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment, and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education, and debate. The Royal Academy is an independent charity. It does not receive revenue funding from the government so is reliant upon the support of its visitors, donors, sponsors, patrons, and loyal Friends.

The Royal Academy’s 255th Summer Exhibition runs from 13 June – 20 August 2023.

Unhurried, world-class and welcoming – Mayfair has always been one of the most desirable places in the world to live, work, shop and dine. The epitome of luxury and opulence but also an inviting space of heritage, culture and fashion to be discovered. World-class, fashion boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and some of the capital’s most prestigious, luxury hotels, seamlessly blend with street-side cafés and alfresco coffee houses, innovative independent stores, galleries and European-style wine bars - Mayfair, London has something for every visitor. Key destinations in Mayfair include Mount Street and South Audley Street, South Molton, Duke Street, North Audley Street and Grosvenor Square.

Grosvenor Property UK creates great places where communities, business and nature thrive. We are part of a global property business that has been developing and managing land and property for over 340 years. Our heartland is in London’s West End, where we support 9,000 residents, c1000 businesses and 50,000 workers every day. We also create and manage sustainable new neighbourhoods in London and across the South of England. We think long-term and give equal weight to the social and commercial impact of everything that we do.