Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas, lent her support to the re-launch of Hackney’s latest modern art gallery.

Arthaus, the former Flowers East Gallery on Richmond Road, has been transformed into GALERIE8 as its new permanent home. The gallery presents international and local artists, site-specific installations, and innovative platforms that look for alternatives to the traditional gallery space.

The atrium gallery spans five floors and allows for natural light and large-scale works. Its current exhibition – Hackney Hoard – gathers work which question terms of value, exchange, and the status of contemporary art. As an extension of its exhibitions, talks, performances and film screenings, the gallery publishes an online journal and printed catalogues.

The Arthaus redevelopment also saw the creation of a number of high-spec apartments that give residents access to the art gallery via a central atrium. GALERIE8 has also set up a webzine that residents can contribute to the curation of the gallery in which they live.

Cllr Fajana-Thomas said: “At a time when there are many regeneration projects taking place in the borough, a high quality scheme such as Arthaus is to be welcomed. I hope that it will prove inspirational to many, for its cultural as well as social offer."

Photo caption 1: Speaker of Hackney Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas with GALERIE8 curator Audrey Yeo.

For more information about GALERIE8, please visit: www.galerie8.co.uk. For a general overview of arts and culture in the borough, please visit the Hackney Council website: www.hackney.gov.uk/hackney-the-place-culture.htm