Past Exhibitions in the Civic Gallery
An International Borough
‘An International Borough’ celebrates the abundance of international presence and cross-cultural collaboration in Kensington and Chelsea. Hosting artists from Venezuela Greece, Japan and Chile, these artists are working boroughwide and represent a small section of international artists who have made the borough their home.
Visit the 'An International Borough' webpage for exhibition details.
Black History Month 2021 - Celebrating the Borough’s Diverse Heritage
With over half the residents of Kensington and Chelsea born outside the UK, the borough is home to communities from all over the world who have shaped the character of the area. This exhibitions, part of Black History Month, features the work of seven individual local artists, an artist collective, dance charity and young people’s creative workshop programme. Take a digital 360 degree tour of the current exhibition.
Visit the Black History Month 2021 webpage for exhibition details.
Knaves of Radiance, Artist Luca Bosani
A selection of wearable and framed paintings, produced in 2017 and 2018 as part of the performance-based project ‘Knaves of Radiance’. Luca Bosani uses male formal clothing to question the construction of male identity, stereotypical behaviour and hypermasculinity. Dark formal jackets are turned into bright and colourful wearable paintings. These at times resemble bullfighters’ jackets, or are shaped like hybrid long dresses. In his paintings, he uses references to sports, sexuality, cinema, psychology and popular culture. This is to encourage the viewers to reconsider their belief system.
Here and Beyond, Artist Sara Choudrey
Featuring AYAH-SIGN, collaboration between Sara Choudhrey, FLUX Events and ACAVA.
Showcasing Sara’s hybrid approach to artistic practice, combining research interests in digital technology and Islamic art and architecture. The work becomes a means through which to communicate theoretical and conceptual themes. These themes are surrounding our engagement with space and place. Sara’s varied practice provides a parallel analogy for hybridity in identity and culture. She does this by drawing on Islamic visual culture from across the globe.
King’s Road Is My Catwalk, Curator Ian Foster
An exhibition of photographs captured by John Hendy and curated by historian Ian Foster, showcasing life on the King's Road, Chelsea 1967-1973. Hendy's distinct style pays homage to street photography shot on the King's Road in a that goes back to the early days of modern photography in the late 19th century. Formerly an ancient footpath, the King's Road was a private royal road that passed through Chelsea during the time of Charles II, used for travel between his palaces at Whitehall and Hampton Court.
Aspects Of Carnival, Artist Fiona Hawthorne
An exhibition celebrating Notting Hill Carnival, one of North Kensington’s most significant contributions to contemporary culture. Fiona Hawthorne’s paintings tell the full story of Carnival – from early preparations, through to the heady excitement of the Carnival procession itself, to the big clean-up in the early hours. With their detail and local references, together the works express how Carnival fits into the community that owns it, capturing a genuine passion for reclaiming the street.
Other past exhibitors include
Gosia Malawska - view website for more information.
Nick Cheeseman - view website for more information.
Nanda Khiara - view website for more information,
Alison Jackson - view website for more information.
Hundred heroines - view website for more information.
Junior Tomlin - view website for more information.