“Cross Kettles Yard in Cambridge with Barbara Hepworth’s studio in St Ives, throw in a quirky café and you’ll have the latest addition to the Camberwell Art Scene: the all-new South London Gallery.“

Friday saw the long awaited opening of the new SLG extension. The Matsudaira Wing now seamlessly extends into the once dilapidated neighbouring terraced house increasing the size and scope of the exhibition space along with the addition of a funky new café and an artist is residence apartment.

On the other side of the original 1891 Victorian gallery is now a large garden courtyard. To the right the huge floor to ceiling doors of the Clore studio swing open while a ceiling lantern runs the length of the building allowing more natural light to flood in. The outside tables and chairs are overlooked by the Marie Curie block of Sceaux Gardens, devastated by fire in 2009 the high rise has found a new lease of life with a bright buoyant mural by Yinka Shonibare.

Through the Clore Studio a beautiful brick path weaves through the newly planted Fox Garden back towards the back of the house where a new Atrium furnished simply with a long wood table stands beneath a sumptuous golden work by Paul Morrison. Beyond waft the smells of the ‘No. 67’ café. The ‘front room’ is taken up with tables and chairs and the neutral sludge colours sit well with the bulb lights and rough wood floor. Out front are more tables and chairs with a fine vista across the Peckham Road!

Upstairs are three more small exhibition rooms while the top floor has been transformed into an apartment with roof terrace. 6a Architects have striped and hacked illuminating the fabric of the building removing the ceilings to reveal the roof joists and do away with plasterwork to expose brick walls. From October the outset flat will be used for artists in residence.

The current exhibition ‘Nothing is Forever’ aims to seamlessly marry art and architecture; works have been made directly onto the walls to become part of the fabric of the building forever.

The SLG hosts five contemporary art exhibitions each year. Exhibitions and many of the SLG’s events are free. There is also a shop selling books and magazines relating to the works on view as well as those covering art theory and philosophy, artist monographs, live art, film and music.

I think the gallery is a great addition to our area and would recommend everyone visit.

Opening: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am-6.30pm, Wednesdays, 10am-9pm

www.southlondongallery.org

more photos at: flickr.com/photos/nickwoodford/sets/72157624357938986/

The events I’m personally looking forward to this week are:

The Myatt’s Field Park Tea Dance, taking place today (Sunday 20th), courtesy of Home Live Art.

Also today,  Daniel Lehan’s ‘Your Art Here Too’ on the Green, which follows on from last year’s successful event that drew many passers-by to have a go at creating some art and exhibiting it on the railings.

The Green becomes Speaker’s Corner on Monday evening, and, this being Camberwell Green, who knows how that will pan out…

The mysterious promise of ‘An Introduction to the Art of the Funerary Violin’ on Tuesday will, I expect, maintain the feeling that we’re entering the unknown where anything could happen.

Summertime Sounds in Grove Chapel should bring a sense of calm and civility back to proceedings on Wednesday.

Just in time for the Camberwell Beauty (see what they’ve done there?!) Fashion Day, hosted by the SE5 Forum, on Thursday.

We’ll get back to Midsummer Madness on Thursday night, though, as Creative Routes do what they do best in their Muses Cafe in the Crypt.

And the unpredictability continues on Friday with some story-telling and much more from the Honourable Society of Faster Craftswomen.

All of which brings us to next weekend, featuring a pop-up travel agency on the Green and the now traditional mayhem of The Chutney Preserves Fair on Sunday.

Phew!  I’m going to be busy.  And besides all that I have to fit in a visit to the Camberwell School of Arts end of year show, get a gander at the expanded and refurbished South London Gallery opening on Saturday 26th, and have a quick nosy in the various artist studios open this weekend and next.

There’s lot’s to see and do folks — so get out there and have a look.  The Camberwell Arts Festival is run on a small grant from Southwark Council, put together by our impressively serene and cheery Director, Kelly O’Reilly, and relies on the goodwill and enthusiasm of lots of artists.  It’s no mean feat, and it’s something Camberwell should be proud of.  Make the most of it!

Full info about all events can be found here: www.camberwellarts.org.uk

Just went to this lovely event that is on all week at our local theatre The Blue Elephant.

At spark events, storytellers, some amateur, some not, tell true stories from their lives. Tonight, the six stories were all connected to the theme ‘Animal magnetism’ and were woven together by Silver Lining – a duo that played floaty, folky tunes between anecdotes. The silver lining here was definitely the exception to the rule though, because there certainly wasn’t a cloud in sight in this intimate and funny evening.

A young girl told us about how she became an unlikely ‘sparkie’ in the film industry – from hauling huge lights around as a runner to driving a HGV full of lighting equipment to the rocky heights of Spain for a Bond film – when she was confronted by man who demanded she weigh up his elephant-sized bollocks.

We ventured (further?) into the dark side with a recount of someone’s conquest over the magnetism of cocaine and heard about love triangle between two teacher friends and their ‘baby giraff’ student. Messy it was.

As a total sucker for cat stories, I loved the one about Pablo the cat’s disappearance and the mad-capped plan to find him back which involved leafleting their mobile phone number to all of Brixton’s crazies.

Our animal instinct to tell a good story saw dumped bloke get revenge by hooking up with girlfriend of guy deemed ‘more man’ than he. And a drama graduate mourned the King. King — the ‘illegal immigrant’ penguin that is.

All in all, it was a great bag of goodies held together by some beautiful signing and music. In keeping with the local flavour of the night, as the audience dispersed, the band sang of ghosts in the Old Kent Road.

Check out one of the other nights this week if you can, every day has a different theme: guts, home, special delivery and close call. You can also get involved yourself and tell your own story on the open mike night on Friday.

It’s only £5 for Southwark residents and if you really get into it and want to see more than one show, you get the rest of the nights half price once you’ve seen one.

More on the Blue Elephant Theatre site: http://www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/whatson

Hello there, and yet another post by another guest poster. Apologies for the very long post but just couldn’t get it any shorter.

As many of you will no doubt have heard by now the former cinema and bingo hall has been bought by Merinbrand (whoever they are) on behalf of (we assume) the Redeemed Christian Church of God or RCCG for short. We believe that contracts have been exchanged but completion is not due to take place until the beginning of March. The chances of us stopping the sale are slim, but I do not think that should prevent us from trying.

We started a campaign this Monday to try and get more information and transparency over the sale of the building by Gala Bingo. Last week I was told that the information was confidential and that I would have to wait until the sale had gone through. I think it is safe to assume that they were a little surprised at how quickly we managed to gather the troops, and very soon after our photo in front of the cinema today we had the head of PR sending out emails absolving themselves of all responsibility and hanging the new (potential) owners out to dry.

This is thanks to people like Victor, a.k.a. Eusebiovic, who set up a Facebook page which has nearly 200 fans already and is growing by the second. Also thanks go to Copeywolf (James), Liliana of PROS,Melanie Rimmer of Camberwell Arts and last but not least Mark Dodds and Barbara Pattinson from the SE5 forum for all their help. I have created a website (www.CamberwellCommunityCinema.webs.com) for the campaign to keep the cinema for the community and I have no idea where all you people are coming from but the response has been (almost) unanimous against having RCCG move in.

I think this is a real chance for Camberwell to come together as a community. And I don’t just mean those who use the internet. I mean all those who loved the bingo and now have to go to Surrey Quays (because that’s convienient). I mean all those for whom Christianity is not their religion. I mean all the artists looking for a space. I mean something to stop Time Out banging out yet another edition about the “great” East End. I mean all those who want Camberwell to have a focal point we can be proud of.

RCCG will have to change the commercial use from D2 (Cinema, music and concert halls) to D1 (Places of worship and Church Halls). This is where we as a community come in. We cannot let this happen. There are so many reasons why this should not be allowed. So, write to your MP, write to your councillors. Tell the press, tell Boris. Shout it out. Email your friends. Join the facebook page. Tell your friends to join the facebook page. Write to famous Camberwellians. Make people notice. MAKE A FUSS!

To be fair I think most councillors are firmly behind us and John Friary has been helping already to ask questions. There is a Camberwell Community Council meeting next Wednesday 3^rd March at 7pm at Southwark Town Hall. Please go. We need to let Southwark Council know that Camberwell matters. We need them to stop palming us off with disjointed plans which come to nothing. On top of that, there is an election coming up. That should concentrate the mind wonderfully!

We will be getting some posters to put around Camberwell. I will put them on the website for you to download and print off. Stick them on windows of shops. Talk to your neighbours.

MAKE A FUSS!

Camberwell deserves better.

Tom.

a.k.a. Monkeycat.

Hello all, my name is Joe and I have previously written a post on this blog and am delighted that Peter considers me up to the job and has allowed me back to make a further contribute during his absence.

On Saturday I went to see  We Are Loughborough Junction, an exhibition of black and white portraits of Loughborough Junction residents taken by local photographer Conor Masterson. What made this particular exhibition different to most is that the images are displayed outdoors on the sides of houses, on railings and for sale sign boards around the local area.

There are a total of 169 portraits in all, I managed to see 167 as 2 of the photos had been removed by over zealous security guards from a derelict site on Coldharbour Lane who were unaware that the event was taking place. The size of the portraits vary from 16 inches (40cm) to around 8 feet (2.5 metres), some containing individuals and some containing families or groups.

I happen to know Conor but I don’t think I’m being biased in saying that the photographs in the show are fantastic and, for me at least, the project was a real success in terms of concept and execution. Viewing the portraits on the streets made them not only accessible but much more resonant than if they had been hung in a gallery.

I thought this was a really exciting community project  and thanks should be extended to all involved including Paul Adlam, Matt Matterson as well as Conor along with the Loughborough Junction Action Group and SE5 Forum and The Sun & Doves for providing the maps.

You can still see the photos which will remain on display until this Friday, 19th of February. I’d recommend printing out a map of the exhibition route although you may have to hurry as, according to Conor, 3 pictures have been removed or stolen.

It’s a busy week for the Arts in Loughborough Junction as Friday also sees the opening of the new Whirled Cinema which, according to their website, is a 60 seat cinema featuring HD projection and surround sound, along with a fully licensed bar and even an outdoor balcony.

The South London Press is also reporting that there is to be an investigation into the three huge fires in Camberwell and Peckham in the last 8 months. According to the BBC the investigation into the Lakanal House fire will not be complete for two years.

On a personal note I’m really looking forward to the opening of The Tiger (formerly the Silver Buckle) on the 25th. Having patronised The Sun & Doves, The Hermits Cave, The Joiners Arms and The Grand Union at the weekend as well as The Phoenix, The Castle, Le Petit Parisien and The George Canning in the last couple of weeks I’ll be well qualified to offer a comparison of local boozers.

On Saturday 26 September, from 1pm to 7.30pm,Warwick Gardens SE15 will host the first-ever Warwick Wingding.

The Wingding will see a line-up of the most exciting new bands on the local scene from Peckham, New Cross, Camberwell and Nunhead, including:

The Pepys, The Saudis, Kids Loves Lies, Lime Headed Dog and Butch & Femme.  The Wingding will also welcome singer-songwriters Pierre La Rouge, The Boycott Coca Cola Experience, , as well a 30 piece swing band The Starter Big Band.

Peckham’s own DJ Mickey Smith will MC proceedings.

Expect too to experience yoga classes, hands-on theatre, hula-hooping, dressing-up, face-painting plus stalls from local artists and creative types.

Food and drink there will be plenty: Thai Pod, Chicken Wingding Barbecue plus Spanish and Italian along with wine and cider from Green & Blue and a beer tent.

And if that isn’t enough, South East London’s best municipal bouncy castle will also be present, courtesy of LB Southwark.

So come along and enjoy the late Summer fun.

Or if you’re feeling even perkier, we need help! If you can spare some time to get involved during the day please LET US KNOW.

Email us at warwickgarden@googlemail.com or attend the volunteers’ meetings on Thursday 24 September or Friday 25 September at Wilton Hall, Bushey Hill Road at 7-8pm.

This year’s London Open House will be held on the weekend of the 19th-20th of September throughout London and, once again, there are several buildings in Camberwell opening their doors for the public to view.

If you’re not familiar with Open House it is an annual architectural and design event, providing the general public with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of buildings of architectural interest in the capital which are not normally open to the public. Access to hundreds of buildings both public and private is free, although admission to some of the more popular locations does require pre-booking.

I really enjoy Open House and have seen many fantastic buildings throughout London including several local flats and houses. I would encourage anyone to take an interest and, with this in mind, I have put together a list of local locations participating in the event. In compiling the list I was a little disappointed to see that the Salvation Army building opposite Denmark Hill train station does not seem to be taking part this year, they usually provide access to their tower which, providing you can climb the ladders, offers fantastic panoramic views across London. I actually think there are less local participants this year although I’m happy to be corrected on that one.

Locations in SE5

• 3 Acorns Retro Eco-house
• 49 Camberwell Grove
• Rooftop Retreat
• St Giles Parish Church
• Sunshine House (Southwark Child Development Centre)

There is also a tour and talk at the South London Gallery apparently, although I have not been able to find a link to this on the Open House website.

UPDATE: I found a link on Facebook to the Open House event at the SLG:

Find out more about the SLG’s expansion project as well as its history in these special ‘hard hat’ tours. Acclaimed architectural practice 6a will outline their plans for the neighbouring terraced house and a new extension behind the original building.

Booking recommended on 020 7703 6120. Part of Open House 2009.

Locations Local to SE5

• 15 and a half Consort Road (SE15)
• Dog Kennel Hill Apartments (SE22)
• Retro-eco House (SE17)
• The Michael Tippett School (SE24)
• Carnegie Library (SE24)
• Angell Town Estate (SW9)
• Beefeater Distillery (SE11)

I’ll be interested to hear reports from anyone who visits any of these buildings, you could also post any photos to the Camberwell SE5 Flickr account.

Southwark Council have an emergency update page with the latest details.

If anybody has more information on what happened or any way that we can help those affected, please comment below. Please keep these comments on-topic.

My condolences to all the families who have suffered a loss in this terrible incident.

Update: You can see the exterior damage here (and I took a few more photos this morning).

Update: Southwark Council are accepting cash donations to help victims.

On Friday you’ll be spoilt for choice.  Local artist Steven Appleby will be offering an insight into the extraordinary world of one of the country’s leading cartoonists.  Stephen is a regular contributor to The Guardian, and has published books such as ‘Steven Appleby’s Normal Life’ & ‘The Secret Thoughts of Cats’.  You can catch him at the Library at 7pm.  Meanwhile, at 8pm on the Green, the Scratch Choir of random passing souls will perform the songs they’ve been practising over the course of the week.  The songs all have a connection to Camberwell in one way or another, apparently.  And for the keen photographers out there — we know who you are — your challenge is to ‘Shoot Your Own Damn Festival’ — the results can be displayed at the Arts Bar.

Saturday and Sunday bring the famous Open Studios — all the artists who are squirreled away in Camberwell’s nooks and crannies all year round, throw open their doors and invite you in to take a peek at their work.  They might even offer you a glass of wine and a canape.  Hell, they might even sell you some of their work.  There are studios all over Camberwell, in collective buildings like Vanguard Court, or in the artists’ own homes.  Check out the names and addresses on the Camberwell Arts website (http://www.camberwellarts.org.uk/).  And if you’re a little shy and prefer to travel in a pack, a tour of some of the open studios will be meeting at Vanguard Court at 3pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile on the Green on Saturday will be Camberwell’s first Arts and Crafts Market.  Organised by Camberwell Community Council this could become a regular event if well supported.  Whilst you’re there it’s the last chance to enjoy the Camberwell Piano — there’ll be an All-Comers concert at 12noon, and then a stripping down of the thing to find new ways to play it at 2pm.  At the same time, in Butterfly Walk, deaf performance artist Aaron Williamson will be busking, but with a twist — he’ll give money to anyone who stops and listens (only 5p mind)!  Saturday night brings Wet Sounds at the Swimming Pool — an evening of underwater entertainment which invites you to float or dive through water to hear a collection of especially made sound art.

Come Sunday it’s wind-down time, and there’ll be an artist’s encampment on Camberwell Green.  More than 40 artists will be coming and going, creating art works, giving performances and leading interactive activities.  In the tradition of the historic Camberwell fair, the event will end with a puppet fight — Puppet Wars.  And then we can all go home.

More details and information about times and locations can be found at http://www.camberwellarts.org.uk/.