Whitechapel Gallery Development

We had a tour today of the new Whitechapel Gallery – currently still under construction. The gallery has taken over its neighbour, the former Whitechapel Library (which has relocated to The Idea Store in Mile End). We saw the space a couple of years ago just after the library had moved out. It was a quite a sad and lonely place with a feeling of neglect (and an overwhelming musty smell). Not so today – the refurbishment is incredible, sympathetic to the original Victorian features and promises to be a light and airy space with generous wall space. The opening is scheduled for Spring next year.

During Frieze week the gallery was showing its new specially commissioned weather vane, designed by artist Rodney Graham. It’s amazing to think that this beautiful sculpture will perch on top of the new gallery, against all the elements, as a bronze icon on London’s ever growing East End skyline.

http://www.whitechapel.org/