Whitechapel Art Gallery

The Whitechapel is entering the most exciting phase of its 100 year history; an ambitious £10 million development project, due for completion in Spring 2009. The project will unify two landmark buildings; the Whitechapel Gallery and the adjoining Passmore Edwards Library enabling the restoration and preservation of a historically and culturally important building, keeping it open to the public. Over the next 18 months the Whitechapel becomes the Whitechapel Laboratory with exhibitions, live music, poetry, talks and film.
Designed by leading Belgian architects Robbrecht en Daem Architecten (with London practice Witherford Watson Mann Architects), the Gallery will provide one of the most exciting new cultural buildings in Europe, increasing gallery space by 78%.
The Whitechapel Gallery was founded in 1901 to bring great art to the people of East London. The gallery’s history is a history of firsts: in 1939 Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica was displayed at the Whitechapel on its first and only visit to Britain; in 1958 the gallery presented the first major show in Britain of seminal American abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock; and in 1970 and 1971 the first shows of David Hockney, Gilbert & George and Richard Long were staged to great acclaim.
The Gallery is internationally renowned for its exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and its pioneering education and public events programmes. The Whitechapel plays a unique role in the capital’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of East London as a leading contemporary art quarter.
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| Opening times: | Weds - Sun, 11am - 6pm, Thurs until 9pm Admission free |
|---|---|
| Parking & transport | Car parking |
| Catering | Food shop |
| Booking and payment details | Free Solo accepted Maestro accepted |
| Accessibility | Ramp/level access |
Itchy review of Whitechapel Art Gallery

East End gallery which includes regular changing exhibitions which make use of its unique space. Also runs a variety of workshops for aspiring artistes of all levels of ability.
Lonely Planet review of Whitechapel Art Gallery

It's all change at the Whitechapel Art Gallery as it doubles its size by expanding into a disused library next door. During that time, one of the capital's more interesting contemporary art galleries becomes the Whitechapel Laboratory, with changing exhibitions, live music, poetry, talks and film. The new space will contain three new galleries, an Education and Research Tower and a street-facing café. The Whitechapel Art Gallery was founded in 1901 by Victorian philanthropist Samuel Barnett to bring art to the people of East London and it has made its name putting on exhibitions by both established and emerging artists, cartoonists and architects, including Gary Hume, Robert Crumb and Mies van der Rohe. Its ambitiously themed shows change every couple of months; check the programme online.
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9 Jul 2008 to 17 Aug 2008
" Wang Jianwei uses video to explore the presence of history and relationships of power within China's changing social and economic environment. Jianwei's broad, panoramic chronicles of contemporary society are shown alongside Ali Kazma's closely-observed films of skilled workers - from artisans to doctors - whose activities involve the protection, repair and maintenance of both the human body and social well-being.Wang Jianwei and Ali Kazma Exhibition
10 Jul 2008 to 17 Aug 2008
One of China's best-known conceptual artists, Wang Jianwei uses video to explore the presence of history and relationships of power within China's changing social and economic background. Jianwei's broad, panoramic chronicles of contemporary society are shown alongside Ali Kazma's closely-observed films of skilled labourers - from artisans to doctors and factory workers - whose activities involve the protection, repair and maintenance of both the human body and social well-being.Shimabuku: The Street Exhibition
17 Jul 2008 to 7 Sep 2008
"Berlin-based Japanese artist Shimabuku works with places and people to create humorous and uplifting works about everyday life. Using a variety of formats including film, video, text, performance and installation, he revives local traditions and hidden histories by transporting them into unlikely contexts.Don't Feed the Poets Special event
17 Jul 2008 to 14 Aug 2008
Don't Feed The Poets is a spoken word event presenting an ecclectic array of poetic talent from within and outside the capital featuring musical interludes and, as organiser John Citizen explains, 'the occasional odd thing.
Prices and Booking for Whitechapel Art Gallery
Prices:
| Adult: | Free |
|---|
Location Information Whitechapel Art Gallery
| Address: | 80-82 Whitechapel High Street, London London E1 7QX |
|---|---|
| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7522 7888 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 7522 7887 |
| Public transport: | Aldgate East Tube |
| By road: | Exit Aldgate East tube station and the gallery is next door. |
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