Curator-Led Tour of the Linklaters Collection
Thursday 21 January, 6-7.30pm
Join the Friends of Kettle’s Yard for a special curator-led visit to the newly opened London headquarters of Linklaters, one of the world’s leading international law firms. Completed in 2026, the striking building at 20 Ropemaker Street, designed by Frank Filskow of MAKE Architects, provides a dramatic new setting for one of the City of London’s most significant corporate art collections.
Curator Catherine Shearn has developed a collection that emphasises connections between artists, ideas and artistic processes, and which is displayed throughout the building rather than confined to a dedicated gallery space. The result is an environment in which art is encountered as part of everyday life — a principle that resonates strongly with Jim Ede’s vision at Kettle’s Yard.
About the Collection
Led by Catherine Shearn, this exclusive evening offers the opportunity to explore selected highlights from a collection of more than 1,500 modern and contemporary artworks. At its heart is a distinguished group of abstract paintings, sculptures and works on paper, bringing together established figures of post-war British art with leading contemporary artists.
Works by Barbara Hepworth, Terry Frost, Anthony Caro, Rebecca Salter and Eva Rothschild sit alongside those of emerging and lesser-known artists, reflecting a collecting philosophy that values artistic quality, curiosity and dialogue rather than reputation alone. The collection is particularly notable for revealing connections and influences across generations of artists and for illuminating the creative processes behind the works themselves.
As we move through the building’s public and working spaces, Shearn will discuss the evolution of the collection, its distinctive curatorial ethos and the role that art plays in creating a stimulating environment for both visitors and staff. The tour will also offer a fascinating opportunity to see how contemporary art has been integrated into the architecture of Linklaters’ impressive new headquarters.
Further Information
The visit will conclude with drinks, providing time for conversation and further discussion of the collection.
Transport is not provided, please arrange your own transport to London. The address is 20 Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9AR, a short walk from Moorgate tube station.
All proceeds support Kettle’s Yard. Refunds are not possible, unless the visit is cancelled by Kettle’s Yard. Should the event sell out, please email friends@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk to join the waiting list.
