The South London Gallery’s new annexe in a Grade II listed former fire station built in Camberwell in 1867 will open on Saturday 22 September with an exhibition entitled KNOCK KNOCK.
It explores humour in contemporary art with works by more than 30 artists – from established figures such as Maurizio Cattelan, Sarah Lucas and Ugo Rondinone to younger practitioners such as Danielle Dean, Hardeep Pandhal (above) and Simeon Barclay.
From Judith Hopf’s flock of concrete sheep through to Yonatan Vinitsky’s scaled-up cartoon, the show provides a surprising encounter with a broad range of humorous strategies, from slap-stick, parody and caricature to the in-joke, one-liner and visual pun.
Newly commissioned work will be on view throughout the opening weekend, including three off-site artist projects as part of Open Plan, the SLG’s ongoing public art and education programme which invites international and British artists to create artworks with and for the gallery’s neighbours on local housing estates.
A large-scale text piece by artist Jessie Brennan will be installed on the roof of Heron House in Peckham’s Pelican Estate; Basim Magdy will collaborate with local children to transform Art Block, the SLG’s free children’s space on Sceaux Gardens Estate; and Gabriel Lester’s colourful, bollard-like sculptures will populate the paved area below Crane House on Pelican Estate.
A weekend of free events across the SLG’s indoor and outdoor spaces will include creative activities for families and tours of local heritage sites.
KNOCK KNOCK is free and runs from 22 September until 18 November in South London Gallery, Main Building 65–67 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH and South London Gallery, Fire Station, 82 Peckham Road, SE15 5LQ.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 6pm www.southlondongallery.org
