Legendary City of London Building Is Getting 3 New Public Art Galleries

London already boasts a formidable art and gallery scene – and soon it’s getting three more arty institutions. Even more intriguingly, they’ll be inside one of the most aesthetically controversial buildings in the city (and City): No 1 Poultry. 

The new galleries have been launched by art charity Hypha Studios, and they’ll open next week (on September 24). The venues will then be open to the public for 12 months and totally free to access. We’re sure they’ll provide very serious, very white collar Bank some much-needed avant-garde flair. 

The artists set to go on display were selected from an open call. Here are the details on the first three exhibitions in the programme:

The Turn

Named after the moment that an object vanishes during a magic trick, ‘The Turn’ will bring together 10 artists each exploring complex states such as the feelings that arise from disappearance, and how this can lead to emotions of feeling suspended and withdrawn. The exhibition will feature intriguing media such as ritual-inflected painting and taxidermy.

Blackhorse Lane Makers 

In collaboration with art blog recessed.space, Blackhorse Lane Makers will be presenting sculptural and immersive works by a community of artists led by north London based maker and artist Nina Oltarzewska. The exhibition space will be transformed into an immersive installation featuring structures such as stairwells and fences, and artists will explore how these types of objects function as physical transition zones linking two places. Very excitingly, there will be a free and open-to-all workshop where the public are invited to create their own small sculptural objects. 

Material Actors

Presented by the Binder of Women collective, this show will exhibit a group of female-identifying artists in all stages of their careers, with works across painting, installation, sound, ceramics and sculpture. These artists have actually taken inspiration from the influence of the No 1 Poultry building itself, and of its architect James Stirling. The collective will be hosting panel discussions, offer guided tours, and will even provide a playfully designed worksheet for children to explore the exhibit.

Founder of Hypha Studios Camilla Cole said of the project: ‘We are so excited to be able to not only offer exhibitions to 24 groups of makers, but to support the injection of culture into the heart of the City of London in such an iconic, important building as No.1 Poultry.

‘We are grateful to the landlord and their partners in the support of this initiative, with the opportunity to advance London’s reputation as a leading cultural capital and Cheapside BIDs ongoing support for the City of London’s interest in creating diversity as a destination.’

No 1 Poultry is fairly legendary to us here at Time Out. Long before it was granted prestigious Grade-II listed status, 1 Poultry was labelled by our own readers the fifth ugliest building in the UK. 

3 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, Thursday to Saturday between 12pm to 6pm 

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