Tucked away on Vauxhall Street in south London, Gasworks looks unassuming from the outside. But step through its doors and you'll discover one of the most internationally connected and artistically ambitious spaces in the UK. Since its founding in 1994, this leading non-profit arts organisation has supported more than six hundred artists from over eighty countries — a remarkable track record that has earned it a reputation as one of London's most important incubators of contemporary art.
Where London Meets the World
Gasworks works at the intersection of UK and international contemporary art, commissioning and producing exhibitions by emerging and underrepresented artists while hosting residencies that bring creatives from around the globe to London to research and develop new work.
The current residency cohort exemplifies that international reach. Hugo González creates sculptures and photographs inspired by his immediate surroundings. Omar Castillo Alfaro builds immersive installations with earth, clay, beeswax, and bird feathers that reactivate pre-Hispanic mythologies. Paloma Contreras Lomas explores Latin American science fiction and political satire. Rocky Acofo Cajigan, a Bontok-Kankanaey artist, investigates material culture, indigeneity, and museology. And Raffaela Naldi Rossano works at the intersection of new archaeology and desire.
Together, they represent the kind of global creative conversation that happens at Gasworks on a daily basis — artists from radically different backgrounds sharing space, exchanging ideas, and pushing their practices in new directions.
A Home for Artists
"Above all, Gasworks is a home for artists," the organisation states simply. "We are committed to building long-term relationships with all the artists we work with." That commitment to sustained support, rather than one-off opportunities, is central to what makes Gasworks special.
Beyond the residency programme, Gasworks provides subsidised studios for London-based artists — a critical resource in a city where studio space has become increasingly scarce and expensive. These studios give artists the stability they need to develop their practices without the constant pressure of rising rents.
Community at the Core
Gasworks' work extends into the surrounding community through carefully co-designed participation projects for local children, young people, and families. Created in partnership with community organisations, these projects ensure that Gasworks remains connected to the neighbourhood that has been its home for three decades — not as a cultural institution that happens to be located in Vauxhall, but as an integral part of the community's fabric.
A Network That Spans the Globe
Gasworks serves as the London hub of Triangle Network, an international organisation that connects artist-led spaces and residency programmes around the world. This connection gives Gasworks residents access to a global network of creative spaces and opportunities, extending the impact of each residency far beyond the walls of the south London building.
The organisation is also part of Arts Council England's National Portfolio — recognition of its vital contribution to the UK's cultural landscape.
Visit Gasworks
Gasworks gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. during exhibitions, or by appointment. Admission is free. Located at 155 Vauxhall Street, London SE11 5RH, the space is easily accessible from Vauxhall and Oval stations. Whether you're an art world insider or simply curious about what's happening at the cutting edge of contemporary practice, Gasworks rewards every visit with something unexpected and genuinely inspiring.