The title Out of the Blue evokes something sudden or unexpected, an idea that resonates with the exhibition’s focus on the moment when new artistic voices begin to emerge. The organisers explore the different stages an artist may pass through at the beginning of a career: from early signs of creative potential and first recognition to mentorship and the transition into independent professional practice. The focus is not only on the artists themselves, but also on the people and institutions that help new voices to be heard.

The first part of the exhibition presents three emerging artists connected to two notable institutions on the British art scene: Goldsmiths, University of London, and TEARS — Tracey Emin Artist Residency. Felix James graduated from Goldsmiths in 2026 and received the Neville Burston Prize for Painting, an award recognising outstanding student painters in the final years of their studies. Olya Avstreyh lives and works in Margate. In 2026, she completed the Tracey Emin Artist Residency programme and received the TEARS Purchase Prize, after which one of her works entered the residency’s collection. Avstreyh works across painting, photography, video and poetry, exploring themes of girlhood, womanhood, immigration, desire and alienation.

Anush Malkhasyan represents an earlier stage of the same professional journey. The London-based artist is currently studying Fine Art at Goldsmiths. According to the organisers, her inclusion in the exhibition reflects Morus Art Group’s commitment to identifying and supporting artistic potential before full institutional recognition has been established. Together, the participants represent different stages in the development of an emerging artistic career.

The second part of the exhibition is structured around a dialogue with Italy-based artist Igor Baskakov, whose practice combines the visual immediacy of popular culture with traditional painting. For Out of the Blue, Morus Art Group commissioned Baskakov to create a new series of works dedicated to influential figures in twentieth-century art and culture. His own professional experience is presented within the project as an example of how decisive early support can be for an artist’s future career. Baskakov’s participation also broadens the conversation about continuity between generations of artists and the ways in which experience, knowledge and opportunity are passed on.

This transfer between generations is one of the exhibition’s key ideas. According to its organisers, cultural life is sustained not only by already recognised works of art, but also by the exchange of knowledge, confidence and opportunities between generations.

Out of the Blue is curated by Valeria Gorbova. The exhibition will also mark the official launch of Morus Art Group, a London-based cultural initiative founded by Alya Entts. The new platform aims to bring together collecting and patronage with long-term support for artists, art advisory and cultural production. Morus also plans to develop a programme of exhibitions and collaborations, publishing projects and private cultural events.

The founder of Morus Art Group believes that private initiatives today can take on roles once largely associated with major cultural institutions: bringing overlooked names back into view, discovering new artists and building connections between artists and audiences across borders. Entts’s approach combines collecting and patronage with long-term support for artists and cultural production.

The exhibition will take place at The Lavery Pavilion Gallery in South Kensington. The gallery is housed in a historic building that was formerly the home and studio of British artist Sir John Lavery.

Out of the Blue — Morus Art Group Launch
15 October 2026 — Private Preview, invitation only
16–17 October — Open to the public
The Lavery, Pavilion Gallery, First Floor, 4 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, London SW7 2JE
morusartgroup.co.uk