October Gallery

October Gallery
October Gallery is located in Central London
October Gallery
Location within Central London
Established1979; 46 years ago (1979)
Location24 Old Gloucester Street, Bloomsbury,
London, WC1
Coordinates51°31′14″N 0°07′19″W / 51.520654°N 0.121843°W / 51.520654; -0.121843
DirectorChili Hawes
Public transit accessHolborn
Websiteoctobergallery.co.uk

October Gallery is an art gallery in central London, England, established in 1979.[1] It is notable for promoting the work of artists of the "Transvangarde" or trans-cultural avant-garde movement. The gallery also hosts talks, performances and seminars.

Among notable contemporary international artists whose work has been shown at October Gallery are Aubrey Williams, El Anatsui, James Barnor, Sokari Douglas Camp, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, Naomi Gakunga, Ablade Glover, Romuald Hazoumè, Rachid Koraïchi, and Alexis Peskine.

History

Established in 1979, October Gallery has promoted the art and artists of the "Transvangarde" – "a concept based on the idea that the true cutting edge is the coming together of the cross-cultural avant-garde"— giving a platform to international artists and experimental literature, including artwork by such significant literary figures as William Burroughs,[2] J. G. Ballard and Lawrence Durrell.[3] The gallery has exhibited the work of artists from more than 65 different countries, and from regions including Africa, Asia, Australia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India and Oceania.[1][3]

October Gallery shows have featured work by such notable international artists as Aubrey Williams, El Anatsui,[4] James Barnor,[5] Sokari Douglas Camp,[6] Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga,[7][8] Naomi Gakunga,[9] Ablade Glover, Romuald Hazoumè, Rachid Koraïchi, and Alexis Peskine.[10]

The co-founder and director of October Gallery is Chili Hawes and the artistic director is Elisabeth Lalouschek.[11]

The gallery marked its 40th anniversary with the publication in 2020 of the book Dream No Small Dream: The Story of October Gallery, which included essays by Chili Hawes, Elisabeth Lalouschek, Niru Ratnam, Dr Chris Spring, Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Dr Mark Nelson, John Allen, Ian MacFadyen, Professor Paul Goodwin, with photography and design by Jonathan Greet.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Us", October Gallery]. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. ^ Cumming, Tim (10 December 2012). "William Burroughs: All Out Of Time and Into Space, October Gallery". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Abrams, Amah-Rose (19 June 2019). "Transvangarde pioneer October Gallery turns 40". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. ^ Chelsea Garner-Ferris, "El Anatsui review: From Nigeria to London, celebrated artist brings complex creations to October Gallery", Culture24, 13 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Daniele Tamagni and James Barnor: 8 – 30 September 2016", October Gallery.
  6. ^ "Nigeria Meets Western Classicism in Steel Sculptures by Sokari Douglas Camp", Artsy, 9 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Culture clash: Congolese artist Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga at the October Gallery", Art Radar, 16 July 2016.
  8. ^ Erin C. J. Robertson, "London’s October Gallery Presents Congolese Visual Artist Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga’s First UK Solo Exhibition", OkayAfrica, 7 January 2016.
  9. ^ "October Gallery presents Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga: Tushauriane– Let’s Talk About It", Alt Africa, 22 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Alexis Peskine: Fire Figures", The October Gallery., 2020.
  11. ^ "October Gallery" at Art Week.
  12. ^ Dream No Small Dream: The Story of October Gallery. October Gallery. February 2020. [ISBN 9781899542659]
  13. ^ Angela Cobbinah (13 March 2020). "Pioneering October Gallery celebrates 40 years". Camden New Journal.

51°31′15″N 0°07′18″W / 51.5208°N 0.1218°W / 51.5208; -0.1218