camden arts centre

During the days of unrest and anarchic outbursts of rioting, looting and arson across London, thoughts of safety took precedence over musings on art. I am not one of these people who will try to convince you that the harder life is on a day-to-day basis, the more art is what you need. I do believe that the best to appreciate art is with a well rested brain and a full stomach. But just as the shock of the violence wore off, people started putting the pieces of their lives back together and I started to wonder if the galleries had reopened and if the resonance of the art that was available before the riots would have been changed by the marks of the regrettable and undeniable bit of history that was written this past week.

Not wandering too far from home, which coincidentally was not too far from the North London point of origin of the riots, I opted for a visit to the Camden Arts Centre. Off the beaten path and, in spite of what the name might suggest, more in Hampstead than in Camden, this little gallery is a personal favorite for its ambitious contemporary art exhibitions and regular artist residences. At any given time, you can see the work of two or three different artists so if one leaves you cold, you still have a chance of discovering something that will catch your eye. If not, there is a little cafe where you can drown your sorrow in good coffee and get a sugar fix. Continue reading Peace and Quiet: The Return