Visual art exhibitions and events with a platform for critical writing
Rockwell, London
13 April – 10 June
Reviewed by: Capucine Perrot
Rockwell presents its last show. This artist-run space opened in May 2003 on the top floor of a commercial building. The premises are divided into three areas, several studios on one side, living space on another and a central exhibition space – a long room with an atrium style ceiling.
Lewis Amar, Tahu Deans and Nathan Witt are handling the closure. One of the now unoccupied studios has been blacked out to exhibit a Lewis Amar video. Two of his new watercolours are pinned up in the gallery space while Nathan Witt has repainted the walls in mud-grey and shows a series of pen ink drawings. Tahu Deans presents two small oils on canvas along with a three-dimensional wooden structure with inside speakers. The latter operated as a stage for some performances of Trooper and Dom Bouffard at the time of the opening and then became an opened room where some of Deans’ videos are looped on a TV monitor.
The Rockwell co-founders have always found the right balance between showing their own work and inviting other artists (from emerging to more established ones). With no commercial motivation, they support other practices by providing the opportunity to exhibit in the capital. For four years they have managed to put together at least four exhibitions per year, without external funding or sponsorship. So it means it is possible! Even with no real financial support it is feasible in London nowadays to run a gallery with a regular programme of quality. There is something encouraging and stimulating about this kind of project; it is definitely hard work but this gives us some direction, and it is nice to be reminded of this.
Due to the term of the rental contract, this art community is having to disband. As primarily artists, they will re-appropriate Rockwell’s dynamism in future projects.
Writer detail:
Capucine Perrot
Venue detail:
Rockwell
230 Dalston Lane, LONDON E8 1LA
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