(Visit London, 7 April 2010) Deptford and New Cross have long been hailed as the new Shoreditch. So when an invite to a local art showcase case came through, I decided to see what all the fuss was about.
The action was taking place at BEARSPACE, a tiny gallery nestled among the colourful grocery shops, fish stalls and Caribbean bakeries of Deptford High Street.
The room was already packed with local artists and creative types; mingling, enjoying a free glass of wine and trying to avoid knocking over Dan Coopey’s geometrical Urchin Eating sculpture. Again.
All had gathered for the P&B Cultural Showcase, a thrice-yearly celebration of the best local designers, filmmakers and craftspeople in the area.
In a nod to Deptford’s naval history, the exhibits included a ceramic anchor by Katie Bonham, while Angela Buffini had transformed photos of junkyards into art with some neat symmetry.
There was also music, illustrations and a video performance from Heart n Soul, a company of learning disabled actors and musicians based at Deptford’s popular performing arts venue, the Albany.
The BEARSPACE does its fair share to promote up-and-coming artists too, and has recently launched a new Portfolio range, selling limited-edition art and design works.
With Goldsmiths College just up the road, which counts everyone from Antony Gormley to Damien Hirst amongst its alumni, there’s plenty of local talent to showcase.
If you want to discover other galleries and public art works in the area, such as the APT Gallery and Cockpit Arts, download a Deptford Art Map or book a slot on the Deptford Art Tour.
http://blog.visitlondon.com/2010/04/southern-showcase-in-arty-deptford/
CARINYA SHARPLES 