Featured Events in London in June 2025 (June Updated)

The Australia national cricket team, also known as the Aussie's, is one of the most successful and renowned cricket teams in the world. They compete in international cricket competitions such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the World Twenty20, and have won the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup five times. The team boasts an impressive record, having won the most number of test matches and 50-over World Cups. Led by current captain Tim Paine, the team comprises of top players such as Steven Smith, David Warner, and Pat Cummins, known for their incredible batting and bowling skills. The team plays their home matches at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has a capacity of 100,000 spectators, making it one of the largest stadiums in the world. With their unparalleled track record and fan base, Australia is a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.<br><br>South Africa's national cricket team, also known as the Proteas, is one of the top teams in international cricket. They are currently ranked fourth in the ICC Test rankings and fifth in the ICC ODI rankings. The team has a strong history in competitions such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, where they have reached the semi-finals four times. They have also won the ICC Champions Trophy and the inaugural T20 World Cup. The Proteas have produced many talented players, including AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Dale Steyn, who have achieved numerous individual awards and records. Their home ground is the iconic Newlands Cricket Stadium in ICC Champions Trophy1, which has a capacity of over 25,000 spectators. With a dedicated and skilled team, South Africa continues to be a major force in the world of cricket. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Open to all British Muslims ONLY. Photo ID will be required at entry. Meet 100+ like-minded individuals in a comfortable, relaxed and open environment. Everyone is there for the same reason, to have a nice afternoon and In Sha Allah meet someone they'd like to see again! If it's your first time, don't worry, most people will be attending for the first time and we have a brilliant team on hand to help individuals feel welcome, comfortable and make introductions on your behalf. Come along to this informal event, which features: 100+ Muslims Snacks and light refreshments available Free parking onsite Volunteers to help with introductions Open to all Muslims seeking marriage. For ages between 20 - 38 years old Preferably accompanied by a Mehram, 1 mehram per household only Ticket required for entry Please bring ID as this will be checked Last entry at 1:30pm Entry will be refused if the wrong ticket is purchased No refunds. For any queries, get in touch on: 07481910551 or 07908379525 Email: minniemarriage23@hotmail.com Information Source: Minnie Marriage Group | eventbrite

The biggest trials in London with scouts from all over coming to watch players. Premier leauge to leauge 2 scouts all coming down to acess participants sign up today and achieve your dreams today! Information Source: DPX ESSEX | eventbrite

MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious smash-hit musical comedy from an award-winning creative team including writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), is now playing at London’s Savoy Theatre and it’s ‘the most fun you can have in the West End’ (Metro). Meet The Plastics – Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist parents, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung. Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs. Grab your friends and your cool mom, this is fetch – and YES London, we’re making it happen! Don’t just take our word for it – Time Out says we’re ‘very, very funny and a lot of fun’, and Digital Spy calls Mean Girls ‘a hilariously entertaining night out. A party from beginning to end’ – we can’t help it that we’re popular.

Widely regarded as one of the great portraitists of the 19th and 20th centuries, Edvard Munch consistently produced intimate portraits of family, friends, lovers, writers, artists, patrons and collectors, together with an extraordinary range of self-portraits. With energetic brushstrokes, bold colour and a direct sense of engagement with the sitter, these works have had a strong influence on the portrait genre.Edvard Munch Portraits will be the first exhibition in the UK to focus on this important, but sometimes overlooked, aspect of the artist’s work. The exhibition will show how Munch painted portraits as commissions and for personal reasons, with many pictures doubling up as icons or examples of the human condition despite being based on the direct observation of named individuals.

After captivating 1.8 million visitors worldwide, the award-winning Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition is coming to London! With 8m-high immersive projections, a 360º VR experience, an interactive digital "metaverse" room, replicas and artefacts directly from Cairo, and a hologram room showing the full mummification process of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, this groundbreaking exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in an extraordinary journey to the heart of Ancient Egypt.

The Master Builder is a late work by the Norwegian drama master Ibsen. It tells the story of the successful architect Solness, who falls into psychological panic and loneliness when facing a family crisis and the appearance of a young girl Hilda. This work not only reflects Ibsen's own understanding of life, but also explores the complex relationship between human nature, desire and morality through symbolism.

Gazelli Art House London presents The Way Forward: Derek Boshier and the Sixties, the first posthumous solo exhibition dedicated to Derek Boshier (1937—2024). Curated with renowned art historian Marco Livingstone, the exhibition focuses on works from the 1960s and charts the transformations in Boshier’s worldview and visual style, in parallel to wider changes in society. This landmark presentation revisits Boshier’s pivotal transition from pioneering Pop figuration to bold geometric abstraction, a shift catalysed by his travels to India in 1962 under a Commonwealth scholarship.

Three groundbreaking exhibitions position historic sculptures by Alberto Giacometti with new works by contemporary artists, in an intimate new space. One of the most significant European sculptors of the 20th century, Giacometti is known for his distinctive, elongated sculptures which experiment with the human form. Responding to the pain and devastation caused by the Second World War, his works proposed a new perspective on humanity and the collective psyche.

The Estrick Collection is to present the first institutional exhibition in the UK dedicated to the Italian contemporary pioneer Claudio Parmiggiani (b. Luzzara, 1943). A selection of works from the last 50 years, the exhibition highlights the artist’s unique exploration of themes of memory, absence and silence, aiming to “search for images, objects or assemblages that transcend time and individual experience to evoke universal truths”.

Darkman Presents The Shepherds Bush Reunion Party 7th June 2025 This lineup has never been seen together before Platinum Soul Sound feat: Darkman Showcase Feat: Nasty from the Nasty Boyz King Tropical Feat: Culture B Brotherhood Feat: Starsky and Hutch Sound System supplied by Platinum Sound Food on the night: Tropical kitchen Cari bbean Buffet 7pm - late Smart Dress Location: * O'Donoghue’s * 174 Goldhawk Road London W12 8HJ Underground tube : Goldhawk Road Buses : 94, 237 For more information call 07727 631188 Platinum Sound 02087495223 FireClash 07459 078041 Showcase 07958 433492 Information Source: London Reunion | eventbrite

Pitbull and Shaggy are set to electrify the stage at London’s iconic O2 Arena on June 10, 2025, at 18:30. This highly anticipated event, known as Pitbull, Shaggy London, promises to be an unforgettable night filled with dynamic performances and chart-topping hits. Fans can expect Pitbull to bring his signature blend of Latin rhythms and hip-hop beats, while Shaggy will undoubtedly deliver his infectious reggae fusion that has captivated audiences worldwide. The O2 Arena, renowned for hosting world-class events, provides the perfect backdrop for this musical extravaganza. With tickets priced at 145 USD, this concert is a must-attend for music enthusiasts looking to experience the energy and excitement of two legendary artists in one spectacular evening. Don’t miss the chance to witness Pitbull and Shaggy light up London with their unparalleled talent and showmanship.

Our minds often prioritize forgetting over understanding. Memories slip in and out of our grasp—emerging in dreams and nightmares, appearing at the most inconvenient moments, and disappearing just when we need them most Why some memories linger while others fade remains one of life’s great mysteries. What the conscious mind forgets, how the body keeps the score. On June 13th, PsychArt invites you to a day of talks, workshops, and discussions centred around the theme 'Forgotten Movements.' We will explore how the body and movement are depicted in art, the mind-body dilemma in modern medicine, and how technological progress and the dominance of rational thinking have distanced us from our physical selves. As patients and practioners, what are we forgetting about our own bodies? About the bits of us that don’t fit onto standardised forms or fall outside the frame of a Zoom call. From marginalized therapeutic approaches to neglected histories that have shaped care, join us to bring these forgotten movements in the light, and foster a movement towards reconnection. Towards remembering. Program Friday 13t h June 09:00 - 16:30 K eynote Speakers Lucy Jones - Matrescence Lucy Jones is a journalist and author whose work explores science, health, ecology, and the human relationship with nature and motherhood. She speaks regularly on her research and teaches writing workshops. Her latest book, Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood , is a radical new examination of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and body. Her previous books include Foxes Unearthed (2016), which won the Society of Authors’ Roger Deakin Award; Losing Eden (2020), a Times bestseller and book of the year, published internationally; and The Nature Seed (co-written with Kenneth Greenway), which explores connecting children with the natural world. Her writing appears in outlets such as New Statesman , GQ , and The Guardian . She has given talks for organisations including TATE, LSE, NHS, UBS, and at festivals such as Hay, Edinburgh, Cambridge Literary Festival, Greenbelt, and End of the Road. Anne Patterson - ‘Forgotten memories, forgotten rhythms…’ Dr Anne Patterson is a psychoanalyst in private practice at 10WW and is a Fellow of the Institute of Psychoanalysis. She was Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy in NW London from 2000-2022 and a Training Programme Director for core psychiatry for over 10 years. She is an Honorary Consultant at South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, supervising in the Self Harm Out Patient Service. Currently she teaches on the MA in theoretical psychoanalysis at UCL and the MSc in Clinical Psychotherapy at KCL. She also convenes the monthly film club at 10WW and the Maudsley Arts series each summer term. She is co-director of the European Psychoanalytic Film Festival, co President of the UK Balint Society and editor of the New Library of Psychoanalysis. Annes talk will cover various rhythms from protolanguage to the mind-body relationship to the rhythms of the unconscious in time and space. Frank Rochricht - Embodiment & Psychiatry - moving towards a new biopsychosocial paradigm Frank Röhricht (MD, FRCPsych) is a Psychiatrist, Body psychotherapist and Medical Director for Research, Innovation and Medical Education at East London NHS Foundation Trust; he is Honorary Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Wolfson Institute for Population Health, Queen Mary University London and Honorary Professor of Psychiatry, St. George's Medical School, Nicosia University / Cyprus. His research focuses on body image phenomenology / embodiment and evaluation of new psychotherapy interventions (especially body psychotherapy) for severe mental illnesses; other research: Service user led research and co-production; creativity and art therapies; Transcultural psychopathology; Community psychiatry care models; he developed a novel integrative care pathway for patients with functional somatic symptom disorders. He developed the first academic curriculum for body psychotherapy at master’s level (MA Program “Clinical Psychology with Body Psychotherapy Certificate” in Istanbul, Maltepe University) and is Editor of “Körper-Tanz-Bewegungg”, editorial board member of “Arts in Psychotherapy” and “Body, Dance Movement in Psychotherapy” and advisory board of “European Psychomotricity Journal”. =================================================== Timetable (to be confirmed) Lunch and Refreshments provided 09:00 - 09:30 : Registration 09:30 - 09:45 : Introduction 09:45 - 10:30 : Frank Rochricht – ‘ Embodiment & Psychiatry’ 10:30 - 11:15 : Lucy Jones – Talking about her book Matrescence 11:15 - 11:45 : Break 11:45 - 12:30 : AM Workshop 12:30 - 13:15 : Lunch 13:15 - 14:30 : PM Workshops 14:30 - 15:00 : Break 15:00 - 15:05 : Art Competition Prize 15:05 - 15:50 : Anne Patterson - ‘Forgotten memories, forgotten rhythms…’ 15:50 - 16:20 : Panel Discussion 16:20 - 16:30 : Closing =================================================== Parallel Workshops (Opportunity to select 2 to attend) This year there will be two workshops in the morning and afternoon. Delegates can pick one of four options from: dance, movement, art therapy in practice, drawing and writing. Sign-ups will be on registration Workshops include: ‘ Forgotten Movements - A visual exploration ’ with artist and psychotherapist Afsaneh Navidinia ‘ Kinaesthesia (movement sense workshop) ’ by Interdisciplinary Practitioner and Academic Marina Rova ‘ Experimental Movement ’ by Forensic Consultant Mandip Jheeta ‘ Art therapy in a global contex t’ by Psychiatrist Dr Korinna Karamagkioli ‘ A suggested movement - dance workshop ’ by Arts Based Therapy Practitioner Drashti Shah =================================================== Art Competition Every conference PsychArt holds an annual art show, and this year's theme, "Lost and found” Acting as a springboard from the main theme of forgotten movements, but also invites some mystery around what is contained in lost property boxes. Ideally inviting entrants to explore what has been lost to time, to illness, to development, to stigma, to clinical practice and how can they be rediscovered, reinterpreted and given new meaning. We invite everyone to contribute pieces—from paintings to sculptures, photographs to mixed media—that redefine the healing journey. To enter (or discus about space) please email: psychartconference@gmail.com and see PsychART - Home Page for previous entries / winners Information Source: eventbrite

Dear LifeWave Brand Partners, Don't miss our upcoming Business Opportunity Meeting in London! This is the perfect chance to invite your guests and introduce them to our unique technology and business concept. We will welcome you at 6.00 pm and start the presentation at 6.30 pm. We look forward to seeing many of you there!   Information Source: Lifewave Europe Corporate | eventbrite

We are delighted that we have been able to arrange another Primary School Music Conference, this time for a full day. We will be joined once again by Dr Alison Daubney to consider the elements of an excellent music education in your school. It will be a practical session where you will become the students, with oppportunities to play and create music. There will be a session on developing singing in your school, and we will also be joined by Charanga. We will also include a discussion about colleagues exoperiences of Ofsted Deep Dives in Music. The Musical Museum is a wonderful building in Brentford which houses an incredible range of mecahnical instruments, and we may be lucky enough to have a demonstration of the mighty Wurlitzer. They also run a popular schools programme which we will hear about. Once again a lovely lunch will be provided, so please do get the date into your diaries for another great day of music to support you in your work. This event is suitable for class teachers, music teachers/leaders/co-ordinators and senior leaders, but places are limited so please book your place as soon as possible. Please note that this is only open to schools in the London Borough of Hounslow Information Source: Hounslow Music Service | eventbrite

Hello and welcome to the Salt Society! We’re an East London-based supper club, run by Kristelle Grbec and Malene Bratlie. Combining our Croatian, Greek, Aussie and Scandinavian roots, we’re here to host your favourite dinner party. Think seasonal produce, Mediterranean family-style dining, bespoke table decor & decadent vibes (three-course menu dropping soon). Join us on 14 June at 83 Dalston Lane for an epic dinner party where you’ll meet a society of food lovers, eat heaps of delicious food (no small plates here), all for a reasonable price. You'll be served a welcome cocktail upon arrival and for the rest of the meal, BYOB! We'll share some recommended wine options over on our Instagram @saltsociety_ldn The menu for the first supper includes: For the table Dusty Knuckle sourdough, herby whipped butter, summer radishes Starters Baka’s roasted red peppers Mint and pistachio whipped feta, charred courgette Mains Slow roasted Greek-style lamb shoulder Braised butter beans, fennel, greens Tomatoes, Balkan-style (save your bread for dipping!) Salad, mustard vinaigrette Dessert Mini pavlovas, mango coulis, fresh raspberries Information Source: Salt Society | eventbrite

There will be lots of Family Fun activities including: Food and Drink Hut Various Stalls promoting Men's Mental Health Talks from local Community Figures Information Source: Barnet NHS Talking Therapies | eventbrite

Two Halves is returning the old-school charm of meeting over shared passions, where connections are made face-to-face. No more endless swiping or awkward drinks events, just genuine connections with real people. We're building a community of singles with shared interests. And we've got a great early summer event to make sure you have something to say when your friends ask you if you "have any plans" for June! So how does it work: We'll play a social game of rounders, open to all abilities. ou'll have the chance to mix teams and meet new people each time. After the rounders, we'll head to a cafe nearby for drinks. After the event, we'll send out a form allowing you to share contact details with anyone who wants to share theirs. This avoids the awkward bit of not knowing whether to ask! It's all about making connections in a relaxed and enjoyable environment while staying fit. Meeting point: Regent's Park (exact meeting point confirmed upon ticket purchase) Follow us on Instagram for more content from our previous events. There will be photographers and videographers on the day who will be recording content for our website and social media channels. By attending the event you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction. Information Source: Two Halves | eventbrite

The UK Government's New Trade Strategy The AERL is delighted to invite you to a presentation by Sally Jones, Deputy Director of Trade Strategy at the Department for Business and Trade. The presentation will focus on the UK government’s new Trade Strategy which will be launched soon. Against a challenging economic and geopolitical backdrop, members will learn how the UK intends to leverage international trade to drive economic growth and remove trade barriers, and how this is linked to other economic and industrial strategies on which the UK is working. This event is kindly hosted by the government of Ontario, Canada. Information Source: The Association of Economic Representatives in London (AERL) | eventbrite

Calling all city witches, wiccans, energy holders, Light lovers - or anyone who just loves this planet we’re on - SUMMER SOLSTICE is June 20th and we’d love for you to join us at Clapham Bandstand for a celebration of summer on the longest day of the year. This event is quite simple: a guided and focused meditation/intention setting for bringing in summer. This event is FREE. Please wear: whatever you want! Anything that says summer to you. Anything witchy. Anything that makes you feel like who you are. Please bring: flowers if you want. Or anything that makes you feel connected to nature. If you’re someone who can’t stand for long, please bring a cushion or anything you’d like to sit on. The event is listed as being 90 minutes. The ceremony itself will be shorter, and the rest of the time will be for socialising. There will be ambient music, free tarot/energy readings – and the chance to meet others who just love nature in the big city. If that sounds good to you, stick around and make some new connections with like-minded creatures! If you do know you’re coming – please book a ticket so we can let Lambeth Council know how many people are planning on attending. Information Source: Council of Light | eventbrite

You will be guided through all the techniques needed to carve your own design into a stone slab (which you can take home). All materials supplied. Neil Luxton is Highgate's stonemason, with many years experience. He has designed and carved a huge number of the wonderful monuments that graveowners have commissioned in recent years. Tea, coffee and biscuits supplied - bring your own lunch. Information Source: Highgate Cemetery West | eventbrite

Celebrate with us 15 years of tackling educational inequality in the UK For the past 15 years, City Year UK has made a real difference in the lives of thousands of young people and children furthest from opportunity across Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and London. On 26 June 2025, we’re celebrating this milestone with a fun and interactive Summer Fair - a unique opportunity for you to meet, engage with, and hear from inspiring people, take part in family-friendly activities and a chance to support the next generation. We look forward to seeing you there! *The event is free to attend, buy any donation you can make would be much appreciated and will help us reach more children and young people . Thank you for your support! Information Source: City Year UK | eventbrite

Join us for a transcendent evening of Sufi Qawwali music as Fanna-Fi-Allah celebrates 25 years of sharing this sacred tradition with audiences across the globe. This special event is part of their 25th Anniversary World Tour, honoring the rich heritage of Qawwali—a centuries-old musical form rooted in devotion, poetry, and spiritual ecstasy. Qawwali is a journey into the divine, where rhythmic tabla, harmonium melodies, and soaring group vocals weave together to awaken the heart. Fanna-Fi-Allah remains dedicated to preserving this powerful tradition in its purest form, carrying forward the teachings of their esteemed mentors with devotion and authenticity. Led by Tahir Qawwal and accompanied by master musicians, Fanna-Fi-Allah offers an experience that transcends language, inviting audiences to connect deeply with the spiritual and cultural beauty of Qawwali. Information Source: Tabaruq Records | eventbrite

The Balham Vintage Furniture & Flea When : Sunday 29th June 2025 Where : Seventh Day Adventist Church, 83 Elmfield Rd, London SW17 8AD What time : 10:30am - 3:30pm Ticket details : Pre-book tickets online: £3 EARLY ENTRY TICKET - ENTRY FROM 10:30AM £2 GENERAL ENTRY TICKET - ENTRY FROM 11:30AM Or buy on the door: £3 ENTRY ON THE DOOR FROM 11:30AM FREE FOR KIDS UNDER 16 We recommend buying your Early Entry tickets in advance as these often sell out! These give you priority access in the morning & guarantee entry ahead of those paying on the day. Other Information: Traders accept cash & Card 30 Traders from across the UK Dog friendly event Nearest Tube & Railway Station: Balham (0.2 miles away) There is nearby street parking which is free on Sundays! Whats it all about? Our traders travel from around London and the UK to bring you a lovely eclectic mix of mid-century furniture and homewares. Doing away with expensive replicas and focusing on quality and affordability, the Flea provides an antidote; a celebration of mid-century living from the 50s and beyond, the event offers up TOP vintage traders, all offering furniture and homewares without costing the earth. With traders coming from all over the UK, expect to see the eclectic chairs, tables and more by giants like Ercol and G-Plan, barware and kitchenalia, textiles and fabrics, sewing machines, cameras, record players and radios, cocktail glasses and figurines, posters and magazines, lampshades, mirrors and more - from toys to telephones, ceramics to lighting, no box is left unticked. Want to book a stall with us? If you're a trader looking to book a stall at our events you will need to fill out a new trader form HERE and if you have any problems please email bookings@judysvintagefair.com Retro Regards, Team Flea xx Please Note: Tickets to this event are non-refundable Information Source: The Vintage Furniture Flea | eventbrite

London Canada Day Run! Join us outside the Canadian Embassy Trafalgar Square for the fifth annual London UK Canada Day Run - a social 5k running tour to celebrate Canada Day! Great to be a part of the wider Canada Day celebrations taking place in Trafalgar Square throughout the day. Format We will take in as many of the Canadian themed sights in London as we can, such as the birthplace of the Ice Hockey Stanley Cup, among several others, on the route around Green Park and Hyde Park. The route ends at the Canadian Embassy. We then follow on to a Canadian themed bar nearby for a drink which is included in the ticket price. FAQs Is there a bag drop - no. Information Source: London Themed Run | eventbrite

A Virtual Reality Art Exhibition that you can view in any location and on any device. Please see the above picture instructions for how you can view it on a tablet/mobile. You can view the exhibition with or without a virtual reality headset. Copy this link to view the Virtual Reality Art Exhibition on a computer/laptop: https://edu.cospaces.io/PMB-KAV The Virtual Private View of the Exhibition was held on Thursday 14th of May 2020 at 8:15pm on Zoom (Virtual drinks provided.)

The artwork is displayed on powder-coated steel gates, designed by Whittle and made at Glasgow Sculpture Studios. It was unveiled on 5 October 2023 at the Queen’s House in Greenwich. Feeling Blue has been developed in response to RMG’s large and varied collections, as well as the history and cultural significance of Greenwich. The 160 x 155 cm tapestry is filled with richly evocative textures, symbolic shapes, and tropical colours. It was woven by hand over a period of six months by Naomi Robertson and Elaine Wilson at Dovecot Studios. They used a variety of techniques, yarns, and over 150 colour mixes to add variety and depth to the surface of the tapestry. Dominating the tapestry is the phrase ‘feeling blue’ which stands out from a background of blues and greens, the combination of different shades resembling water in motion. Blue is immediately associated with oceans and seas but there are also more emotive connotations which Whittle chose to explore. The colour blue, and in particular the term ‘feeling blue’, is used to describe sadness or depression. While the exact origin of the term is uncertain it has been suggested that it comes from the tradition of ships flying blue flags and officers bearing a painted blue band when a captain or officer died. For others, blue symbolises tranquillity. In the Queen’s House the colour blue is used throughout for decoration, notably the balustrade of the Tulip Stairs. Drawing on her research of the British naval uniform, Whittle also reflects on the legacies of British colonialism. From the mid-eighteenth-century, the Royal Navy introduced a uniform for officers made from a deep blue fabric. The colour was achieved using a dye from the indigo plant that was native to India. Until the end of the eighteenth century the indigo plant was grown, harvested and processed by enslaved people on North American plantations. Indentured labourers in India and modern-day Bangladesh also produced indigo for the East India Company. Today, Navy blue endures as a colour of authority from police to military officers, though the history of the colour and connection to colonialism is little known. Whittle continues her exploration of maritime worlds by the inclusion of coloured ropes – reminiscent of those used on ships. For Whittle, rope is a symbol of both hope and oppression. Ropes are associated with bondage, imprisonment and even execution but are equally symbolic of lifelines for people in distress. Whittle’s ongoing engagement with the climate crisis is found in the decorative coral that frames the tapestry. The delicate pastel pinks and vibrant yellows evoke the beauty of tropical oceans and are a reminder of the importance of reefs. Decorative cultured freshwater pearl beads have also been stitched onto the tapestry. As well as representing an oceanic realm, Whittle connects Feeling Blue with two sixteenth-century paintings the Armada Portrait and Sir Francis Drake which will be displayed alongside the tapestry. In both portraits, pearls are used as a symbol of wealth, some of which was derived from colonial trade and exploitation. The tapestry is hung on a set of blue ‘gates’, which are an important component of Whittle’s work. Whittle sees the ‘gates’ as reminiscent of fencing, suggesting containment and control. Placed within the gallery space the gates no longer act as a barrier. Instead, Whittle uses the gates to expand rather than restrict as visitors are free to walk around them and view the tapestry from both sides. The decorative fretwork on the panels evokes the architecture of the Queen’s House, in particular the Tulip Stairs. Alberta Whittle, said: “The commission has been a wonderful opportunity to think deeply about maritime histories and consider the powers in place that decide how these histories are portrayed. This new tapestry is a chance to explore these ideas of power alongside the rhythms of the ocean and its vulnerability under climate colonialism. The commission has also provided me with the opportunity to continue to work with Naomi Robertson and Elaine Wilson at Dovecot Studios and the rest of the fantastic weaving team.” Celia Joicey, Director of Dovecot Studios, said: "This commission represents the contemporary significance of tapestry as a collective medium. Started in the midst of the 2021 lockdown, it is testimony to a group of people responding creatively and collaboratively to the Museum collections. Feeling Blue embodies the passion, focus and skill of Dovecot’s weavers, Alberta Whittle’s endlessly interesting ideas and the care and enterprise of the commissioning team." Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art, Royal Museums Greenwich, said: “At Royal Museums Greenwich, we are committed to working with contemporary artists whose practice engages with our historic sites and collections, as well as with the present challenges facing our communities and our planet. The opportunity to commission a contemporary tapestry from Alberta Whittle and Dovecot Studios spoke powerfully to this ethos. The finished tapestry will go on public display in the Queen’s House, our flagship art gallery. When the Queen’s House was built in the early 17th century, it was at the cutting edge of art and design. Commissions like Feeling Blue help us to honour that legacy, ensuring that, four centuries after the building’s completion, the Queen’s House continues to showcase artistic innovations and new perspectives.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feeling Blue Alberta Whittle Tapestry by Dovecot Studios 2023, cotton, linen, synthetic yarn, cultured freshwater pearl beads Tapestry woven for Dovecot by Naomi Robertson, Master Weaver, and Elaine Wilson Displayed on powder coated steel gates made by Glasgow Sculpture Studios Purchased with assistance from the Contemporary Art Society