Galleries Spotlight
Posted on: 03.11.2025
East London is known for many things – our diverse history of intermingling communities, our eclectic mix of businesses old and new, and (of course) our vibrant art scene.
Now, you may think Brick Lane or Shoreditch are the places to go to feast your eyes upon the work of London’s finest, established and new. But you would be wrong. Take a trip down The Lane with us to max out on street art, high art, and everything in between.
Public Gallery | 91 Middlesex Street
Opened in 2020 as a partnership between designer Alex Harrison and curator Harry Dougall, Public Gallery specialises in supporting emerging contemporary artists. The pair have quickly established their knack for spotting talent from across the globe, setting themselves up as tastemakers and innovators.
The gallery has recently expanded, now covering five floors of exhibition space across two properties on Middlesex Street. With their roster of group and solo exhibitions capturing imaginations on both sides of the pond (New York shows and prizes at the London Frieze don’t happen to just anyone you know), the larger space is giving the gallery the opportunity to distinguish itself in London’s art scene.
“Having both grown up nearby, East London has always represented a spirit of experimentation and artistic energy for us,” the two founders said in an interview with Artsy. “We were drawn to its creative history and the ethos of the existing galleries and institutions here.”
Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix | 19 Goulston Street
Founder Keiko Rochaix Yamamoto gave more than just her name when she opened the doors to this contemporary gallery in 2017 – she offered up a whole philosophy. Showcasing “work that embodies the sense of marginal and new perspective for life and society in general,” the gallery aims to foster dialogues across geographical and cultural borders through its work and ‘In Conversation’ events. This not only echoes Keiko’s own life experiences, but also the area’s spirit of inclusivity and community.
Originally from Japan, Keiko has lived in various countries around the world. And whilst the gallery has received acclaim for its diverse range of artists, career levels, mediums and meanings, half of their annual programme is reserved solely for Japanese exhibitors. This focus on artists hailing from Japan and other Asian countries is a unique stepping-stone for much otherwise undiscovered talent to establish itself within the London art scene.
Union Pacific | 17 Goulston Street
Championing challenging and ambitious new ideas and artists, Union Pacific gallery has two London locations – one in Bloomsbury and one in Goulston Street. Founded in 2014 by gallerists Grace Schofield and Nigel Dunkley with the aim of exhibiting emerging international artists, it’s become known for uncovering the most experimental and daring new talent.
Union Pacific bounded onto the international art scene as one of the 34 inaugural exhibitors at the Paris Internationale art fair, an event described by the New York Times as a “must-attend curtain raiser for those looking for new or overlooked talent”. They’re now regulars at prestigious international events, most notably Art Basel.
Raven Row | 56 Artillery Lane
Situated behind London’s oldest surviving shopfront, the neoclassicism of Raven Row’s exterior belies the contemporary art exhibited within.
“Led by a desire to test art’s purpose outside the market place”, the gallery appeals to both niche audiences and the wider public with a programme of high quality work that holds cultural value, such as its recent exhibition showing the extreme breadth and depth of Peter Hujar’s photography. And this mission to “promote the under-promoted and the overlooked of the art world” is clearly working – praise from publications like The Guardian, Wallpaper* and TimeOut London speaks for itself.
“Raven Row contributes to the art ecology of London. It is fair to say that we can’t imagine the exhibitions we’ll produce would be configured by other institutions. We can take risks as there is not the relentlessness you find elsewhere.” – Alex Sainsbury, founder, curator and collector.
Henarch Galleries | 32 Artillery Lane
A “boutique gallery and art advisory service”, Henarch Galleries are on a mission to make high art fun again. They show artists from around the world, with a focus on contemporary artwork, alongside hosting regular evening events like print parties and educational talks.
And whilst some of the art they display is from well-known names with celebrity clientele (think Alice Boyle, Kirstie Taylor, Ian Jones, Mike J Reader and Heath Kane), they also do open calls for group shows and have a dedicated feature wall that independent artists can hire on a monthly basis to increase their visibility (literally).
ai. | 1a Tenter Ground
With a mission to “champion an East-West dialogue”, ai. provides a gallery platform and curatorial project space for early career artists, particularly those from South East Asia. Their nuanced and multidisciplinary approach is reflective of the impact of technology on emerging artists, and the influence of how a globalised online culture has allowed ideas to spread more widely.
They aim to challenge the current East-West dichotomy, whilst also highlighting the varied experiences of those from the ‘East’. This vast region is made up of contrasting countries, histories, identities and communities, and they provide a space in which self-censorship is replaced with the encouragement of exploration.
“Each country and each artist’s own experience within a country is highly localised and layered.” – Anne-Marie Tong, ai. Gallery Director
