Who knew that Damien Hirst had a gallery in South London with exhibitions that showcase his private art collection? I didn't, until last week, that is. But in all fairness, it only opened in late 2015. It's called the Newport Street Gallery.

The current exhibition, Gavin Turk: Who What When Where How & Why is a survey of Turk's career and features over 70 works in six galleries. He appropriates ideas from artists Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, as well as from everyday objects. The everyday objects are made from painted bronze, but they look incredibly real, right down to the zippers on the sleeping bags. Even examining them up close you can't believe it is bronze. He borrows from Warhol with his Sid Vicious series of silkscreen on canvas pieces and from Madame Tussauds with his waxwork pieces.

Transit Compression, 2012
Crushed Transit van

Burnt Out, 2008
Painted bronze

Habitat, 2004
Painted bronze

Self-Portrait (Fountain), 2012
Bronze, heating element, pump, water, stones

The Last Bum, 1999
Waxwork

Pop, 1993
Waxwork in vitrine

Somebody's Son, 2007
Waxwork in wooden sentry box

Pavement, 2008
Painted bronze

Flat Tyre, 2013
Painted bronze

Pile, 2004
Painted bronze

Nomad, 2002
Painted bronze

The Wall Torn Down, 2005 and Yard Box, 2016
Painted bronze

Refuse, 2012
Painted bronze

On the way to the bus stop I passed this, the Henry Moore Sculpture Studio, part of Morley College for adult education.

I then went over to Hyde Park to check out the Winter Wonderland. I thought it was just beer, mulled wine, sausages, an ice rink, and some shops, but it was a whole amusement park with roller coaster, ferris wheel, fun houses, arcades, and so many rides that I had trouble finding my way out.

I had about 40 minutes at home before Gord and I left to meet Brea for dinner. We were supposed to go to Dishoom, but upon arrival were told that it would be a 2.5 hour wait due to 20 tables of six or more that were prebooked. So instead we ate at a new steak house near us, Bar and Block. It was good, but newer than we realized--their official opening was yesterday and our server, bless his heart, was a little overwhelmed. But it was more conducive to conversation, as Dishoom is quite loud. It has been fun having Brea and Marty here in London and I'll miss them when we get home.

The men were working all day on the water main break (or whatever it is that is causing the water to gush). No change in the water, but the hole is twice as big now. In fact, they are outside our gate working on it right now, at midnight. I can't and don't want to imagine how much water has been wasted these last six days.

I guess it's too late to watch an episode of The Crown tonight.