London's Alternative Art Spaces Face Extinction as Commercialization Intensifies
Independent project spaces in London are transitioning from traditional venues to event-focused formats, a change hastened by the pandemic. Many of the newer spaces lean towards commercial models instead of experimental ones. Historical instances such as The Shop (1992), City Racing (1988–98), and Associates (2006–07) provided platforms for artists like Keith Coventry and Susan Hiller. Presently, spaces like Auto Italia and Jupiter Woods operate as studio-galleries but encounter sustainability issues. Edward Gillman from Auto Italia emphasizes the importance of navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Established venues like Cell Project Space (1999) and Chisenhale Gallery (1986) originated as studio projects before obtaining public funding. The reduction of these spaces jeopardizes London's artistic diversity, leading underground art to resort to guerrilla tactics and peer networks.
Key facts
- London's alternative exhibition spaces are disappearing, replaced by commercial ventures.
- The pandemic left empty offices and shops, potentially enabling short-term exhibitions.
- Historical spaces like The Shop (1992) and City Racing (1988–98) supported artists such as Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Keith Coventry, Susan Hiller, Mike Nelson, and Lucy Gunning.
- Current project spaces include Auto Italia, Jupiter Woods, Black Tower Projects (2017), Collective Ending (2019), SET (2016), Turf (2013), and Zona Mista (2017).
- Edward Gillman, director of Auto Italia, highlights the challenge of engaging with bureaucratic systems.
- Carolina Ongaro and Katie Simpson of Jupiter Woods advocate for community growth and solidarity economies.
- Established spaces like Cell Project Space (founded 1999) and Chisenhale Gallery (1986) started as studio-based initiatives.
- The shift is toward smaller, itinerant, events-based models, moving away from physical warehouse spaces.
Entities
Artists
- Lucy Gunning
- Hanna Tuulikki
- Tracey Emin
- Sarah Lucas
- Keith Coventry
- Susan Hiller
- Mike Nelson
- Carl Gent
- Chris Fite-Wassilak
Institutions
- Palfrey
- Kelder
- The Shop
- City Racing
- Associates
- Auto Italia
- Jupiter Woods
- Cell Project Space
- Chisenhale Gallery
- Cubitt
- Gasworks
- Kingsgate Project Space
- Studio Voltaire
- Matt's Gallery
- Black Tower Projects
- Collective Ending
- SET
- Turf
- Zona Mista
- Arts Council
- The Showroom
- FAT Studio
- Old Kent Road Arts Club
- Avalon Cafe
- Fieldgate Gallery
- Gallerie Poo Poo
- Million Miles Per Hour
- Res
- Space in Between
- ArtReview
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Bethnal Green
- West London
- Old Kent Road