The Showroom is a contemporary art space focused on collaborative approaches to cultural production within its locality
and beyond.
History
The Showroom was established in 1983 and in 2013 celebrated thirty years of supporting artists to stage their first solo shows in London and its role as a pivotal force in the development of contemporary art practice.
It was one of the first galleries in what is now a thriving East End art scene, but moved from its Bonner Road site in Bethnal Green to Penfold Street near Edgware Road in 2009. The first exhibition at Penfold Street was A Long Time Between Suns Part II, by The Otolith Group, which earned them a nomination for the Turner Prize 2010.
Other now well-known artists commissioned by The Showroom early in their careers include Marc Chaimowicz, Jim Lambie, Eva Rothschild, Mona Hatoum, Simon Starling, Rebecca Warren, Claire Barclay, Can Altay, Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Ciara Phillips (project nominated for the Turner Prize 2014).
The organisation has had four directors: Emily Pethick (2008–current), Kirsty Ogg (1998–2008), Kim Sweet (1992–1998) and David Thorp (1988–1992) and since 2009 its core staffing, while still small, has increased.
As well as supporting artists at the right moment in their careers, The Showroom has always played a role in developing discourse around contemporary art practices. This activity was expanded as a result of the move to Penfold Street and the directorship of Emily Pethick, and the organisation now programmes around 50 public events per year, almost all of which are free to access.
