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Photo courtesy of The Riflemaker Gallery.

When I worked around the corner from Riflemaker I’d always pass swarms of people desperate to get in to their launches. Perhaps it was for Gavin Turk’s piss-painting, or Anja Niemi’s ‘Porcelain’ show, or John Maeda’s test of the virtual world. Or perhaps it was because it is one of London’s most understated and cool gallery spaces. Opened in 2004 in the oldest public building in London’s West End (a Georgian riflemaker’s workshop dating from 1712), the place was carefully renovated with help from English Heritage. The work on display is often bizarre, extraordinary and ambitious. Debuts from Francesca Lowe, Stuart Pearson Wright and Leah Gordon have been held here and themed exhibitions have centred on William S. Burroughs and the Indica celebrations, for which Yoko Ono collaborated with the gallery. They also initiate offsite projects with former exhibitors, and there have been collaborations with The Soane, The Economist, Selfridges and even the German Embassy. Three floors of art await the visitor: the stone basement for larger pieces, the all-wood ground floor for regular shows and the first floor for previews. Most of the gallery’s events are on Mondays, with the chance to meet the exhibiting artist. If you get a chance to speak with co-owner Tot, do so. He's one of the most interesting and keen people on London's art scene.

Riflemaker Gallery

Address: 79 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SU

Nearest Station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus underground

Tel: 07792 706 494 or 07719 745 766

Email: [email protected]

Photo courtesy of The Riflemaker Gallery.

When I worked around the corner from Riflemaker I’d always pass swarms of people desperate to get in to their launches. Perhaps it was for Gavin Turk’s piss-painting, or Anja Niemi’s ‘Porcelain’ show, or John Maeda’s test of the virtual world. Or perhaps it was because it is one of London’s most understated and cool gallery spaces. Opened in 2004 in the oldest public building in London’s West End (a Georgian riflemaker’s workshop dating from 1712), the place was carefully renovated with help from English Heritage. The work on display is often bizarre, extraordinary and ambitious. Debuts from Francesca Lowe, Stuart Pearson Wright and Leah Gordon have been held here and themed exhibitions have centred on William S. Burroughs and the Indica celebrations, for which Yoko Ono collaborated with the gallery. They also initiate offsite projects with former exhibitors, and there have been collaborations with The Soane, The Economist, Selfridges and even the German Embassy. Three floors of art await the visitor: the stone basement for larger pieces, the all-wood ground floor for regular shows and the first floor for previews. Most of the gallery’s events are on Mondays, with the chance to meet the exhibiting artist. If you get a chance to speak with co-owner Tot, do so. He's one of the most interesting and keen people on London's art scene.

Riflemaker Gallery

Address: 79 Beak Street, Soho, W1F 9SU

Nearest Station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus underground

Tel: 07792 706 494 or 07719 745 766

Email: [email protected]