LONDON.- Morus Art Group, a London-based cultural initiative founded by Alya Entts, will mark its first public London presentation on 15 October with Out of the Blue, an exhibition dedicated to emerging artistic voices and the networks of trust, mentorship and patronage that allow new practices to develop. The evening will also feature a live performance by Kirill Richter & Richter Trio.

The launch formalises Morus as a cultural platform bringing together collecting, patronage, artist support, advisory and cultural production. While this is the initiative’s first public event, it builds on support already extended to artists and cultural projects, and introduces a longer-term programme of exhibitions, collaborations, publishing and private cultural formats.

Out of the Blue takes place at The Lavery Pavilion in South Kensington, a contemporary exhibition space set within the historic former home and studio of artist Sir John Lavery.

Out Of The Blue

Out of the Blue supports emerging young artists and the people and institutions that help new artistic voices be heard. The exhibition explores the different stages through which an artistic career begins to take shape: potential, first recognition, mentorship, and the transition to independent professional practice.

The first part brings together artists connected to two important British contexts for contemporary art: Goldsmiths, University of London and TEARS – Tracey Emin Artist Residency. Felix James, a 2026 Goldsmiths graduate, received the Neville Burston Award at the Goldsmiths BA Degree Show 2026. Olya Avstreyh, a 2026 TEARS graduate and prize recipient, had a work acquired for the residency’s collection. Anush Malkhasyan, currently studying at Goldsmiths, represents an earlier point in the same journey — exceptional promise before institutional recognition has fully formed.

The second part develops the theme through a dialogue with Igor Baskakov, an Italy-based artist whose works are held in museum and private collections internationally. Commissioned by Morus Art Group for the exhibition, Baskakov has created a new series dedicated to international icons of art and culture. His participation draws on his own experience of how decisive early encouragement can be for an artist’s career.

The exhibition concludes that culture is sustained not only by celebrated works, but by the transfer of knowledge, confidence, and opportunity between generations. For Morus Art Group, collecting is one way of participating in culture; creating opportunities for artists is another.

“I believe that private initiatives today can achieve what was once the domain of major institutions: bringing forgotten names back into view, discovering new artists, and connecting artists and audiences across borders. This is where I see the purpose of Morus.” — Alya Entts, Founder of Morus Art Group

Artists in the Exhibition

Igor Baskakov

Italy-based artist whose practice combines the visual immediacy of popular culture with traditional painting. For Out of the Blue, Morus Art Group commissioned a new series dedicated to influential figures of twentieth-century art and culture.

Olya Avstreyh

Visual artist based in Margate, UK. Winner of the 2026 TEARS / Tracey Emin Artist Residency Purchase Prize; her practice moves across painting, photography, video and poetry, exploring girlhood, womanhood, immigration, desire and alienation.

Felix James

British artist and 2026 Goldsmiths graduate. Recipient of the Neville Burston Prize for Painting, recognising outstanding student painters in their final years of study.

Anush Malkhasyan

London-based artist currently studying Fine Art at Goldsmiths. Her inclusion reflects Morus Art Group’s commitment to identifying and supporting artistic promise early on.

Curator: Valeria Gorbova

Alya Entts is the founder of Morus Art Group. Her approach brings together collecting and patronage with long-term support for artists and cultural production. Through Morus, she is developing a platform where private initiative can create public cultural value, with an emphasis on sustained relationships, dialogue across cultural contexts, and support at formative moments in an artist’s career.

Opening Hours
15 October 2026 —
Private Preview, invitation only
16–17 October 2026 —
Open to the public

Venue
The Lavery, Pavilion Gallery
First Floor, 4 Cromwell Place
South Kensington
London, SW7 2JE