Darren Flook to Open Freehouse, a New London Space with Artist Residency

Darren Flook, co-founder of Independent Art Fair New York and founder of the former Hotel Gallery in Bethnal Green, is launching a new contemporary art space called Freehouse in London. The announcement was made on Artforum and confirmed by Flook on Instagram. Freehouse will host exhibitions, conferences, screenings, performances, and cultural meetings, and will include an artist residency program. The inaugural exhibition will feature Tobias Spichtig, an artist working between Berlin and Zurich, who is known for installations that assemble multiple objects. The space's sign will be designed by the collective Claire Fontaine. Future exhibitions may include Robin Graubard and Sean Landers. Flook stated that many gallerists with small spaces try to compete with large galleries and fail, and that diversification is necessary. Freehouse aims to be a creative space where artists can stay and work. The opening is expected in September. Meanwhile, London's cultural scene is vibrant despite Brexit, with collaborations such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Victoria and Albert Museum sharing spaces in Stratford, and the New Museum presenting 'Strange Days: Memories of the Future' curated by Massimiliano Gioni at The Store X, opening October 2 during Frieze Art Fair.