CHARLIE SMITH London

About time I added my bit about one of my favourite galleries in London. It was love at first sight — what’s not to like about an art gallery above a pub?! But Charlie Smith is anything but a gimmick gallery, instead showing exciting new art by predominantly UK-​based artists. And as far as I am aware, there’s noone by the name of Charlie Smith which makes me smile as I think of all those ego-​driven ventures out there.
The gallery programme is varied and exciting with regular solo shows — the current «Inhabitants» by Tom Butler an absolute must-​see — and larger scale group shows which sometimes spill into West London’s Griffin Gallery. The annual «Anthropology» is based on an open call system where artists are invited to submit their works to be judged by a panel of experts. «Young Gods» is a selection of the best graduate works from the main art colleges each year.
Easily missed if you rush down Old Street as there’s no shop window to draw your in. Next time you’re down this neck of the woods, look out for the Reliance pub and venture upstairs — you won’t be disappointed!

The location is super quirky and awesome. You have to go into the pub and up the pub’s stairs, through a secret passageway, and up some more stairs before entering the gallery. Once you get in, the space opens up and you’re in a lovely, natural light filled space (with a small secondary area in the back). It’s great and I’m glad I discovered it!