South London Gallery facts for kids
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1879 |
|---|---|
| Location | London |
| Type | Art gallery |
The South London Gallery (often called SLG) is a cool place in Camberwell, London. It's an art gallery that shows contemporary art, which means art made in our time. It first opened its doors in 1891. For many years, it was known as the South London Art Gallery. Margot Heller has been in charge as its director since 2001.
Contents
Discovering the South London Gallery
How the Gallery Started
.jpg)
The story of the gallery began in 1868 with the South London Working Men's College. This college was a place where working people could learn. A famous scientist named Thomas Henry Huxley was in charge there.
In 1878, the college moved to a new spot. They also opened a free library for everyone to use. The next year, in 1879, William Rossiter put on an art show at the library. People loved it!
Because of the art show's success, the place changed its name. It became the Free Library and Art Gallery. Over the next few years, the library and gallery moved a few more times.
Famous Supporters and a New Building
Many important artists helped the gallery in its early days. These included Sir Frederic Leighton and Edward Burne-Jones. Even the Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, was its first president!
On May 4, 1891, the South London Fine Art Gallery opened in a brand new building. This building was on Peckham Road. Later, in 1893, the Prince of Wales (who would become King Edward VII) officially opened a new lecture hall and library. A newspaper owner named John Passmore Edwards paid for these new parts.
In 1898, another important person, Sir Edward Poynter, opened a Technical Institute. This institute was also funded by Passmore Edwards. It later became the Camberwell School of Art, a well-known art college.
Growing the Art Collection
The gallery kept adding to its collection of art. In 1953, to celebrate the Queen's coronation, they bought works by artists like John Piper. In the next ten years, they collected over 500 modern prints.
In 1965, the local government, the London Borough of Southwark, took over running the gallery. However, it was still managed by independent trustees.
The Gallery Today: Modern Art and Exciting Shows
In 1992, David Thorp became the director. This started a new and exciting time for the gallery. It began to focus on "Britart," which was a new and bold style of British art. The gallery became known for its cutting-edge exhibitions.
The gallery was the first place to show a famous artwork by Tracey Emin. It was part of a show called Minky Manky in 1995. Other artists in this show included Sarah Lucas and Damien Hirst. The show explored how artists connect with their art.
Tracey Emin later had her own show at the gallery. These exciting shows brought more visitors and made the gallery very popular. Artists like Anselm Kiefer and Gavin Turk also showed their work there. The gallery also bought art from famous artists like Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor.
Since 2001, Margot Heller has continued to lead the gallery. She has made it famous around the world for its modern art shows. The gallery also has great educational programs for kids, teens, and adults.
Each year, the gallery features about five exhibitions. These shows highlight both well-known international artists and newer artists. The gallery also hosts live art performances and film screenings. Sometimes, they even have big art projects in other parts of London!
The South London Gallery is located at 65 Peckham Road, London SE5 8UH. It's open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am–6pm. On Wednesdays and the last Friday of each month, it stays open until 9pm. The best part is that most exhibitions are free to visit!
