Ballymore and Unit G Gallery unveils new pop-up art gallery in phase one London City Island
City Island imbeds deeper into the hearts of East London’s creative community [LONDON: 3 February 2017] Ballymore, one of London’s most prominent property developers, this month announces the latest artistic collaboration at London City Island, the capitals newest cultural and arts destination. The collaboration will see a permanent art gallery in the first phase of City Island, open to the public and showcasing some of the most forward thinking art that East London has to offer. This month Ballymore is pleased to announce that City Island will host year round exhibitions of some of the most up and coming artistic talent in London, showcased in the public areas of The Arts Club, the island’s private members club. The Gallery brings artistic integrity and the needs of the creative industry to the fore and provides yet another cultural attraction to the already thriving City Island. The gallery will be open to residents and to any and all that wish to visit with artwork sourced exclusively from surrounding East London, one of the most densely populated artistic communities in the world, giving the gallery a breadth of work that would induce interest in the most fastidious collectors. Working in partnership with galleries in the nearby area such as Unit G Gallery, Castle Fine Art, Gabriel Fine Arts and the Time Art Gallery, the City Island gallery will showcase work in three month cycles, ensuring that there is a constant stream of new inspiration and allowing it to keep up with the ever developing world of the artiste. The current exhibition is a partnership between Ballymore and Unit G Gallery, with East London artists and artwork sourced by the Gallery and the display curated for the partnership by the Gallery’s Maguelone Marcenac.The exhibition includes a number of diverse paintings and sculptures from Sade English and a selection of the Gallery’s artists, such as their Saatchi START-fair multidisciplinary artist Conrad Armstrong, a series of oil paintings of urban scenes from Mick Dean and several more abstract sculptures from Gillian Drinkwater and Marie-Louise Jones. Unit G Gallery is dedicated to promoting fine art made in East London and by selling their artists’ work helps to sustain the local creative scene. All works will be on sale and ready to buy for tenant and tourist alike and, with its constant renewal of work, there will always be reason to make the trip. The opening of the gallery is another step towards making this small community one of the most creative and diverse places London has to offer. This partnership with the local artistic community is the meeting point between creative excellence and commercial innovation. Ballymore has shown its willingness to embrace and support the local community, looking to the hidden talent that lies around the corner. All this further underpins Ballymore’s position as a property developer with an ambition and commitment to creating truly exceptional places to live, work and visit. City Island is more than just a place to live; it is a destination for art, culture and creativity. Known as a mini Manhattan, the island is a new neighbourhood for the capital, surrounded by water on Leamouth Peninsula and connected to Canning Town by a specially commissioned red bridge. With 1,600 residential units when complete, along with independent cafes, shops, restaurants and diverse cultural facilities, the first phase of this 12 acre site welcomed its first residents earlier this year. Already English National Ballet, English National Ballet School and The London Film School have announced that they will relocate to the island and east London’s contemporary art walk The Line recently announced that it will extend to the Island and set up a ‘hub’ for visitors to learn about the sculptural trail. Sean Mulryan, chairman and founder of Ballymore Group has said: ‘’Ballymore has always had a strong affiliation with art and this new initiative is a great pleasure to us as a company. The first residents have now moved into City Island and already the development’s booming with life, now with the opening of the gallery I am sure the vibrancy of the community will only deepen.’’ Maguelone Marcenac, Unit G Gallery Curator added: “City Island will not become the ordinary London property development; it has its own singular creative identity. The Island provides the East End with a strong and credible new cultural hub. Serving the diverse fine art scene of East London, Unit G Gallery’s collaboration with City Island makes a great match.” - Ends – Notes to Editors For further information on London City Island please contact: Hayleigh O’Farrell Head of Communications +44 (0)20 7510 8329 For information on pricing please contact: Ramon Mchardy ramonmchardy@gmail.com +44 (0) 745 631 7357 Further images are available on request. About London City Island: London City Island will comprise 1,700 new homes set on an island of 12 acres, with independent artisan restaurants, shops, creative hubs and al fresco spaces. The development takes its inspiration from the area’s maritime heritage, with bold primary colours and making use of its waterside surroundings with river walkways. Ballymore are on Instagram, Twitter and facebook as @ballymore Unit G Gallery are on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as @unitggallery or #madeineastlondon

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03.02.2017

Ballymore and Unit G Gallery unveils new pop-up art gallery in phase one London City Island