Matt’s Gallery prepare new Nine Elms premises ahead of April opening
Published: Thursday, March 3, 2022
Wandsworth Council has welcomed news that the final touches are being made to a new contemporary art gallery set to open in Nine Elms this April.
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Matt’s Gallery have now taken possession of the custom-built premises near Ponton Road, SW11 and final preparations are now underway ahead of the doors opening on 29 April with an innovative exhibition.
Through planning commitments secured by Wandsworth Council, the developer Bellway provided the building ‘core and shell’ to Matt’s Gallery who are moving into the area from temporary premises in Bermondsey.
Cllr Govindia visiting Matt's Gallery in 2021 during fit-out
'Sustainable new building'
Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “The opening of Matt’s Gallery will usher in the next exciting era for Nine Elms as the area transforms from a construction zone into a destination for visitors and art. Years of hard work to establish cultural organisations in the new buildings here are now coming to fruition and we’re really excited to have driven this new chapter in Battersea’s history.”
Robin Klassnik, Founder and Director, Matt's Gallery said: “At 14 years old my dad took me to the Whitechapel Gallery to see a Robert Rauschenberg exhibition and it changed my life. I started Matt’s Gallery in 1979 and it operated in East London for almost 40 years, gaining an international reputation for its exhibitions and commissions.
“Nine Elms will provide the gallery with a sustainable new building - a home for Matt’s Gallery for the next 25 years. It is truly encouraging to see Wandsworth Council supporting challenging and radical contemporary art in the heart of this new community. Our exhibition programme spans video, performance, painting, sculpture, installation and more. We will continue to present visionary, ground-breaking shows which will serve everyone in the area and beyond.”
The new gallery and performance space, in a building located between the US Embassy and Arch 42, has been designed in close collaboration with architects Manalo & White. The gallery has purpose-built spaces and a studio environment for artists to develop projects and site-specific works.
The 7,000sq ft space will open in two phases, the first of which will include the unveiling of a double-height gallery, a performance and events space, Matt’s Gallery’s offices, space for books and editions, and a publicly accessible home for Matt’s Gallery’s library and archive (due to launch in 2023).
The opening exhibition, from Lindsay Seers & Keith Sargent, is called ‘Cold Light’ and will run from 29 April to 17 July 2022. Entry is free.
About Matt’s Gallery
Matt’s Gallery is one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries. It has supported the making of new and innovative work since its foundation in 1979. Matt’s Gallery is a registered charity and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Visit Matt's Gallery website.
About Cold Light
Cold Light, a new work by Lindsay Seers & Keith Sargent, will draw on the life, work and ideas of inventor, engineer and futurist, Nikola Tesla. Cold Light will contemplate quantum theory through objects, environments, light, sound, VR and CGI. Cold Light is co-commissioned by Matt's Gallery, London, Turner Contemporary, Margate and E-WERK Luckenwalde. This is Seers’ third exhibition with Matt’s Gallery.
