VITRINE GALLERY was set up in 2010 as a contemporary art space with a commitment to presenting emerging art practices and ideas from the unique aspects of the gallery. The 16 metre long window is prominently located on Bermondsey Square with exhibitions viewable 24-hours a day. Vitrine Gallery is dedicated to working with emerging and mid-career artists across all mediums, focusing on site-responsive exhibitions and installations.
The central concerns of our programme are: to offer both UK and international artists – who may not have previously had the opportunity of a solo exhibition in London – the opportunity to showcase a new body of work; and to give both emerging and more established artists the opportunity to create unique site-specific projects within this unusual and challenging exhibition space. The gallery also explores the scope of curatorial practices through group exhibitions that present ambitious new work.
Accompanying our exhibitions is a diverse programme of EVENTS that includes music, film, artist talks and performance presented in the main gallery space, the public square, neighbouring Shortwave Cinema and other areas of the building.
Our DEVELOPMENT programme has recently been set up, to bring together a schedule of talks, discussions, workshops and artist studio visits.
In 2011, we launched ‘BROCHURE’; a series of site-specific installations that use the exhibition space as a testing ground for artists. Installations are informal in nature and happen quickly. The series encourages fresh approaches to realising works that occupy the space sporadically throughout the gallery’s main program. Artists are encouraged to experiment with new ideas and to use the space as a platform to test works.
In spring 2011, Vitrine Gallery ran its first OFF-SITE PROGRAMME in the games room at The Hospital Club, Covent Garden, presenting three exhibitions (solo show, installation and group show) and a series of events; Reflecting the style and approach of our main programme. Since then we have moved to Hanover Square for an exhibition and performance during Frieeze week 2011 and are making plans for new spaces to work with into the future; Off-site projects becoming an integral part of our work.