Saatchi gallery, London

The Saatchi Gallery is a London gallery for contemporary art, opened by Charles Saatchi in 1985 in order to show his sizeable (and changing) collection to the public. It has occupied different premises, first in North London, then the South Bank by the River Thames and Chelsea (opening to the public in 2007). Saatchi's collection, and hence the gallery's shows, have had distinct phases, starting with US artists and minimalism, moving on to the Damien Hirst-led Young British Artists, followed by shows purely of painting and more recently promoting once again art from America in an exhibition entitled USA Today at the Royal Academy in London.

The gallery has been a major — if not the major — influence on art in Britain since its opening. It has also had a history of media controversy, which it has courted, and has had extremes of critical reaction. Many artists shown at the gallery are unknown not only to the general public but also to the commercial art world: showing at the gallery has provided a springboard to launch careers.

The work in the Saatchi is amazing. Much of it would be considered the 'anyone could have done that' kind of art work. But as Damien Hirst so brilliantly responded to this comment... "but they didn't". The work displayed in the gallery is so raw and true, much of the abstract work takes a few minutes to get used to as it is quite shocking on first viewing. Aside from Marcus Harvey's Myra Hindley which is possibly my favorite piece, I was amazed by the 'oil room'. A room that has been half filled with oil, creating what looks like a solid surface. This must be seen to be fully appreciated but this image gives the idea.