Hackney based studio you should know about
Dear East Londoner’s, have I got a place for you...
Any art enthusiasts looking to support, grow, or join in on East London’s art scene need to visit Hackney Wick Underground, located in the centre of Hackney Wick, which is a creative East London hub for artists. Responding to post-pandemic panic for the creative industry by opening opportunities for studio spaces, workshops, selling platforms, and networking amongst local businesses. This space has been entirely utilised as a café, workshop, studio, and music event space. Open every day from 10 am until 6 pm, giving you all day, every day to visit. Hackney Wick Underground work closely with a variety of independent artists and traders that enjoy using the space.
Oscar Whale is the building manager of Hackney Wick underground; he runs engaging weekly workshops open to the public. Oscar previously studied screen printing at university focused on printing fabrics and wallpapers. This led his career into Hackney wick where he says, ‘I’m responsible for implementing the screen-printing studio that we have’. Oscar directs and organises screen printing workshops that anybody can participate in, driving artistic skills and encouraging creativity. As well as running workshops Oscar completes freelance artwork out of hours, inspired by his passion for screen printing. Art spaces must be inclusive and safe for people to join as Oscar speaks on how Hackney Wick underground is ‘absolutely one-hundred per cent’ inclusive. These studio spaces never have a ‘standard’ for the people who ask to rent out the space, ‘if someone’s happy and they want to take the space they’re more than welcome to’ Oscar comments. Considering your practise complies with reasonable regulations anybody is welcome to use the studio spaces. These studios are available to rent out for as long or short as needed and can be constantly moving or the same. When discussing these spaces Oscar mentions one fellow artist, Emily, who has been there since there were no walls, ‘She’s really taken off and utilised her space’ he claims. He also mentions Repot, who also has a studio, and started their company over lockdown. Since then, the studio helped them grow as a business by working with locals. Oscar states most people stay ‘for the long run’ such as the hairdressers who also joined from the opening.
Another member who utilises Hackney Wick Underground is Badesignstudios, a Kurdish female-run practice specialising in pottery and floristry. This self-made business provides a range of dried and fresh flower arrangements for numerous occasions such as weddings, engagements, Mother’s Day, and many more. The inspiration behind this successful business was the owner’s Kurdish background, which involves a huge wedding culture. The concept of providing flowers is to hopefully highlight Kurdish culture and encourage conversation on Kurdish traditions. The owner states ‘Gifting flowers is a universal sign to show love’. A great amount of her artwork focuses on the feminine body. This artist revealed the pandemic initiated her interest in freelance interior design. Further igniting, once completing commercial work with floristry briefs, the beginning of her bouquet making that she says, ‘paved my way into my practice’. The beautiful concept behind this artist’s work sells the art itself as the artist claims ‘being involved in the journey of the joining of others gives me immense joy’. Badesignstudios expresses the reasoning behind having a studio space at Hackney Wick underground is because it is ‘known for its diversity’. Encouraging and inspiring the work through the art shop, music events, bakery, and workshops held to attract artists. Opening opportunity to network amongst all the other creatives she says, ‘I get to meet amazing artists that inspires my work’. The owner of Badesignstudios has a history in art and design through college, as well as a First-class honour in interior design at Kingston University. Hoping that Hackney Wick studios will continue providing support in the growth of this business, Badesignstudios moving forward wants to create floral installations for events.
Another interesting artist to fill you in on is Paul Dowling, an abstract painter who also partially does NFT’S. He works from a small studio space in Hackney Wick studios with engaging artwork featuring attractive, bright colours. Paul’s artwork works around acrylic paint on large canvases. He has had this studio space for one year where he initially started painting over lockdown. Hackney Wick studios ‘already had a reputation as a place for fine artists to paint and exhibit’ states Paul about why he chose this specific studio. Hackney Wick studios provide a chance for artists, such as Paul, to gain recognition for their work, ‘it acts as both studio and gallery’ he says. East London appears very popular within the art industry, with lots of creatives offering interesting new opportunities for one another as Paul has sold various paintings from people passing through. Before becoming a participant in these studios Paul did not sell his artwork but has stated ‘it has opened up opportunities’ since moving into this space. Open house Hackney offered this artist a gallery shows at their open house, after scouting his work from these studios.
Do I even need to go on? This is the perfect location with amazing artistic opportunities. Inspiring locals and anybody interested in art in general or pursuing an artistic career.
I’ll see you there With love X
Interview written by Abby Everett
Instagram: @abbyeverettxx
