Brand-New Free Art Gallery Has Launched In London With An Immersive Balloon Exhibition

Remember the Zabludowicz Collection? That converted church in Chalk Farm which housed a vibrant free art programme?

After closing its doors at the end of 2023 – the Zabludowicz family had its fair share of controversies due to its links to Israel, though the collection claimed the closure had no connection to an ongoing boycott or the war in Gaza – the space at 176 Prince of Wales Road is now being re-launched. Enter Camden Arts Projects, an all-new not-for-profit space with a focus on contemporary art and film.

The new cultural hub opened its doors on May 9 with an exhibition featuring Martin Creed’s interactive installation, ‘Work No. 3891 Half the air in a given space (2025)’, in which a sea of balloons takes over the gallery, inviting visitors to feel them, move them and play with them as they navigate the room. The work was last on display in London more than ten years ago, for its Hayward Gallery debut in 2014.

Creed is also making his mark outside the gallery: visitors will be welcomed into the building by the Turner Prize-winning artist’s iconic 12-metre neon text piece, ‘Work No. 1086: EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT (2011)’. 

The building, built in the 1860s as a place of worship, has a long history of supporting creatives. The London Drama Centre took it over in the ’60s before it was turned into an art gallery in 2017 by AHMM architects.

For its new era, Camden Arts Projects promises to ‘exhibit the works of both established and emerging artists and filmmakers in an inspiring, innovative environment’. A screening room has been added and artisan bakers Little Bread Pedlar are now running the café. 

Camden Arts Projects is open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm. Find out more here. 

Don’t miss these 7 fantastic new London art exhibitions arriving in May 2025.

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