Published on
September 28, 2021
Contemporary art giants Matt’s Gallery have announced a new outdoor installation as they begin the fit-out of their new 7,000 square foot space in Nine Elms.
Opening in early 2022, the gallery’s 25-year lease ‘Cultural Anchor’ tenancy is a key part of Wandsworth Council’s strategy to embed arts and culture within the regeneration area which is set to benefit residents and visitors.
The new Matt’s Gallery space on Ponton Road is ideally located just minutes from the new Nine Elms Tube station, through the new Arch 42 pedestrian route.
The fit-out of the space is the culmination of years of planning. In 2015, Matt’s Gallery won a competitive tender for a permanent new space at Nine Elms. Located in the Bellway development just off Ponton Road, SW11, the building is provided ‘core and shell’ by the developer Bellway through Wandsworth Council as part of their planning commitments.
Matt’s Gallery at Nine Elms. Design and visualisation by Manalo & White, 2021.
Work has begun on designs created by architects Manalo & White that incorporates two double-height gallery spaces, artists’ studios, offices, book shop, and a publicly accessible home for the Matt’s Gallery library and archive.
Councillor Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council said:
“We’re thrilled that Matt’s Gallery are one step closer to moving into Nine Elms next year as cultural anchor partners. Now the new Northern Line stations have opened, residents and visitors alike will soon be able to access contemporary art right in the heart of Nine Elms, as it becomes a fast-growing destination for arts organisations.”
“I would like to welcome Matt’s Gallery to Wandsworth and look forward continuing our work to reach new audiences and add to the hustle and bustle of our vibrant neighbourhood.”
Phil Coy Swete Brethe, 2021, drawing. Courtesy of the artist.
The important milestone comes just as Matt’s Gallery announce the launch of Phil Coy’s art installation and sound piece called Swete Brethe in Nine Elms. The installation is on a square of land made available by site-owner Dominvs Group and features a windsock and an anemometer, instruments for measuring wind speed and direction.
Portrait of Phil Coy. Photograph by Frances Scott. Courtesy of the artist.
Nine Elms residents and visitors will be able to view the installation next to the U.S. Embassy, close to Matt’s Gallery’s new space. Speed data from wind at the site will be transmitted to mattsgallery.org where it sonically speeds up or slows down a trumpet solo composed especially for the project by virtuoso jazz musician Byron Wallen.
Byron Wallen courtesy of byronwallen.co.uk
Robin Klassnik OBE, founder and Director, Matt’s Gallery said:
“At 14 years old my dad took me to the Whitechapel Gallery to see a Robert Rauschenberg exhibition and it changed my life. I started Matt’s Gallery in 1979 and it operated in East London for almost 40 years gaining an international reputation for its exhibitions and commissions.
“We are excited to be putting down roots in our sustainable new home in Nine Elms for the next 25 years. It is truly encouraging to see Wandsworth Council supporting challenging and radical contemporary in the heart of this new community. Our programme spans video, performance, painting, sculpture, installation and more, it will be visionary, ground-breaking and maybe difficult, but it will serve everyone in the area and beyond, aged 8 months to 80+ years.”
Matt’s Gallery will be moving from temporary premises in Bermondsey to their new home in Nine Elms in 2022.
For more information, visit mattsgallery.org.
