Top 5

Snipe Top 5: Arty London churches

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 13 October, 2010 10:40

“I wonder who will be the last, the very last, to seek / this place for what it was…” wrote Philip Larkin in Church Going. Well, many London churches are finding contemporary art exhibitions a good way to reassert their relevance in this empty godless husk of a world. Here are five of the best.

Westbourne Grove Church
Dedicated art space in Notting Hill. In particular look out for Owen Roseblade’s forthcoming London Safari show, which remixes photographs of London landmarks into really cool looking animals. Looks well worth checking out. From October 28th.

St John on Bethnal Green
Snipe visited St John’s back in April when we were still in short trousers. The belfry then was host to a beautiful installation – the architecture really does help focus the mind on the exhibit. This church is really excellent at coming up with new and varied events, from films to intriguing stone carving and mosaic lessons, and if you’re local it’s well worth checking out regularly to see what’s going down.

Wallspace
All Hallows Church in London Wall has been home to this sensitively curated exhibition space since 2006. Looks like a good one coming up from 13th October: the best art commissions from churches and cathedrals around the country, including work by Tracy Emin and Henry Moore.

The Crypt of St Pancras Parish Church
Snipe hasn’t been here, but the space looks great. Crypts are cool. They remind us of Poe and gothic horror in a very agreeable way. Current exhibitions look a little meh from the website, but that might be unfair. If you go along and disagree let us know in the comments.

St Luke and Christ Church, Chelsea
Another interesting looking exhibition coming up here, specially commissioned by the Rector. Richard Bagguley caused a bit of a stir earlier this year with The Crucifixion at Oxford Circus, which did exactly what it says on the tin. If nothing else it engaged modern atheistic minds with their christian heritage, and the church is giving him space to follow up from 29th Oct.

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