London Grads Now. 21 is a graduate-led showcase running from 4 November 2021 through to 16 January 2022. Initially conceived in 2020 as a response to the unprecedented cancellation of degree shows, the second edition aims to support and highlight emerging artists of today and features fresh work from over 200 MA graduates of seven leading London art schools, all under one roof. All the proceeds from sales of artworks are retained by the artists.

"This exhibition will showcase some of the best new artistic talent our city has to offer and represents another brilliant reason for visitors and Londoners to come back into central London to visit our world class galleries as part of the Mayor’s Let’s Do London campaign. More than 200 artworks created by the next generation of artists will be on display – each one represents a triumph for art against the setbacks faced by so many emerging artists during the pandemic."- Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries

The major exhibition presents a survey of London’s emerging art scene, with new works selected, spanning moving image, assemblage, installation, performance, painting, sculpture, photography, and drawing. Curators have selected artworks focusing on themes including environmentalism, gender identity, post-pandemic reflections, UK racial politics as well as explorations of the human psyche.

The exhibition will include MA graduates from: Goldsmiths University (curated by LaTosha Monique), UAL: Camberwell College of Arts, UAL: Chelsea College of Arts (both curated by Juan Bolivar), UAL: Central Saint Martins (curated by Jingwen Weng & Lingfei Rena Song), UCL: Slade School of Art (curated by Victoria Cantons), Royal College of Art (curated by Thomas Hjelm & Lauren Bevan), and Kingston School of Art (curated remotely from Tehran, Iran by Shahrzad Jahan). The exhibition identity was developed by UAL: Camberwell College of Arts MA graduate Tom White.

Nine galleries across two floors will be utilised for this headline show, with dedicated exhibition space allocated to each school: including new participating school, Kingston University, and a Saatchi Gallery curated space featuring large-scale works from all the schools combined.

London Grads Now. 21 offers a unique insight into exceptional teaching techniques, artistic practices, and cultural approaches – a microcosm of the diversity of London.