Back in July at the wonderful Alma Street Festival, as Mrs Kentishtowner grew increasingly giddy on local ale, we got chatting to Mel, a rather nice lady who was keen to tell us about the Free Space Gallery. Look, here she is, smiling:
And hidden away in Kentish Town Health Centre on Bartholomew Road, the Free Space Gallery is indeed worth seeking out, as its next exhibition is quite special. Oh, and it launches TONIGHT (till Oct 4)!
Yes, from 5-8pm, Mel promises complimentary home-made cakes (inspired by the art, no less) as well as candyfloss to accompany a show by Iraqi refugee Emad Altaay, an artist who has lived in London for less than a year – and who you can meet too.
In Iraq and across the Middle East Altaay was a respected artist throughout the 1990s, taking part in exhibitions at home and Morocco, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordon, Egypt, Las Vegas and South Africa. In 2009, just before coming to the UK, Emad had solo shows in Lebanon and Jordan, including pieces exhibited in the Jordanian royal palace.
This will be his first solo show of paintings influenced by his new life in London. “One of his biggest influences has been Camden and the way that people are so diverse,” explains Mel. At the same time as his paintings are exhibited at the Free Space Gallery, some of his work will also be in the Mall Galleries, near The Strand. Get him.
“So,” concludes an understandably smiling Mel, “I think this one is someone to watch.”
We reckon she could be right.
More info at www.freespaceatthewigg.wordpress.com
(Thank you WordPress for not allowing any links to be embedded today. And whilst we’re at it thanks, sneezing person on the 24, for giving me the worst summer man-flu.)
2 thoughts on “Finally some Free Space, man”
Thanks for the lovely blog post. Last night was really fun and a nice little turn out. Even ended up on Iraqi tv!
Oh wow! Fantastic. Would’ve been there had we not been crippled by summer flu!