the space story

1968—1978

SPACE was founded by artists Bridget Riley, Peter Sedgley and Peter Townsend in 1968. They recognised the dire need of professional visual artists for affordable studios in London and were inspired by a visit to artists’ spaces in New York. While visiting the old docks on the South Bank of the Thames they swiftly realised that the wasteland of empty warehouses might offer a solution to the problem.     

1978—1988

From mid 1970 to mid 1980 the Arts Council provided studio conversion grants and during these years SPACE frequently obtained preferential agreements from landlords. These arrangements reflected the basic condition of the property, the temporary accommodation offered and the property market of the time. Many landlords were supportive of SPACE and happy to have the properties occupied to avoid further deterioration.     

1988—1998

Following the loss of the AIR Gallery, SPACE during the 90s increasingly acted as a development agency forming a valuable link between commercial companies, public bodies and a wide range of artists, arts organisations and cultural groups.     

1998 onwards

In 1999 SPACE developed the new Bridget Riley Studios in Bow and took on additional floors across the road in Britannia Works, one of its long-standing studio sites. In 2001 it took on Deborah House, which provides 3 floors of studios in central Hackney. In 2010 Deborah House became the first building that SPACE bought.