Exploring Peckham’s Art Scene

Peckham’s art scene came into its own with Bold Tendencies. Launched in 2007, it transformed a multi-story car park into a place that is now famed for its summer programme of visual art, architecture, music, film, theatre and literature. Not to be missed is the rooftop, where yoga classes take place mornings and evenings, and where Frank’s Café serves up London’s best Campari cocktails.

The woman behind Bold Tendencies, Hannah Barry opened up her permanent gallery space in an old meatpacking factory in November 2013. Showing artists such as James Balmforth, Oliver Eales and Marie Jacotey, the Hannah Barry Gallery is a must-visit for discovering some of the most exciting new art.

A creative and educational charity, Peckham Platform builds ‘positive cultural experiences’ for both artists and communities. Past exhibitions have included Bookbed by local artist Ruth Beale – a giant book-shaped bed that explored the concept of the library alongside 21st century technologies – and Peckham Square Studio by Photographer Eileen Perrier, which was made up of black-and-white photographs of local residents.

A former chapel founded in 1827, Asylum is used as a project and exhibition space, and is also hired out as a film and photography location. Bombed during the blitz, only the walls with original stained-glass windows and carved monuments survived, but that only adds to the charm of the space.