Gasworks, one of London’s best-respected art venues, has reopened after a £2.1 million makeover with an eye-catching show of newly commissioned work by South Africa’s Kemang Wa Lehulere.The makeover of Gasworks’ long-term home in Vauxhall, south London, included the purchase of the freehold for £1.1 million, with all funded by a £1.2 million grant from Arts Council England as well as contributions from trusts and philanthropists.Wa Lehulere’s first solo show in the UK runs through November 8. It features chalk-board drawings and sculptural works.The architects HAT Projects doubled the size of the Gasworks exhibition spaces, adding more rooms for education and other activities, as well two new studios, raising the total to 13. Gasworks has down the years provided space for dozens of London-based artists and hosted more than 300 others from 70 countries around the world.In 1994, Gasworks arranged for Chris Ofili to participate in an artists’ workshop in Zimbabwe. Since that year, Gasworks has been the hub of a global network with partners from Rio to Johannesburg, Tehran and Dhaka.Many of those involved have gone on to exhibit at major institutions, and have received nominations for, or won major awards including the Turner, Absolut and Pinchuk. They include Yinka Shonibare, Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, Cinthia Marcelle, and Subodh Gupta. Twenty of the Gasworks alumni are showing work in the Venice Biennale.A number of internationally renowned alumni donated works to a fundraising auction hosted by Christie’s in October 2013; and to a Kickstarter campaign curated by Art Basel, in October 2014.Gasworks is also the hub of Triangle Network, an international network of more than 30 organizations, founded by Anthony Caro and Robert Loder in 1982.“Securing and upgrading the building is a huge milestone,” said Alessio Antoniolli, who has been director of Gasworks and Triangle Network since 2005. “We can continue to focus our attention on bringing the best international artists to work alongside emerging local talent.” Gasworks, 155 Vauxhall Street, London SE11 5RH
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