ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hannah Barry transforms Peckham car park into cultural hub

other · 2026-05-09

Hannah Barry, a curator and gallerist, turned a disused car park in Peckham, London, into a vibrant cultural space. The project, which began in the early 2010s, involved converting the multi-story car park into studios, galleries, and event spaces. Barry's initiative attracted artists and creatives, fostering a community that contributed to Peckham's reputation as an artistic hotspot. The car park hosted exhibitions, performances, and markets, drawing visitors from across London. Barry's approach emphasized low-cost, flexible spaces to support emerging artists. The project faced challenges including funding and planning permissions but ultimately succeeded in revitalizing the area. Barry's work highlights the potential of repurposing urban infrastructure for cultural use.

Key facts

  • Hannah Barry converted a Peckham car park into a cultural space
  • The project started in the early 2010s
  • The car park became studios, galleries, and event spaces
  • It attracted artists and creatives to Peckham
  • The space hosted exhibitions, performances, and markets
  • Barry focused on low-cost, flexible spaces for emerging artists
  • The project faced funding and planning challenges
  • It contributed to Peckham's reputation as an artistic hotspot

Entities

Artists

  • Hannah Barry

Locations

  • Peckham
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources