Art in the Age of Now

Historic London building Fulham Town Hall will open its doors after lockdown for the first time in a decade as it plays host to ‘art in the age of now’, a group exhibition that brings together contemporary art, live music, talks and performance art.

This deserted 51,000 sq ft Victorian space in West London, empty for over ten years, will be open to the public this May once the current lockdown is eased. Overseen by curator ben moore (Art Below), and co-presented by hotel operator lamington group, art in the age of now is a free event for the local community and features an extraordinary programme of installations, guest exhibitions, live performance art, music, talks, readings and screenings in the atmospheric setting of Fulham Town Hall, before owners Ziser property redevelop the building and give the iconic space a new lease of life as a creative, community hub and boutique hotel in 2022.

Many of the landmark building’s beautiful original fittings are preserved and will remain so in its future life as a hotel and entertainment space. The elegant architecture and decorative features include green marble columns, stained-glass roof lights, wrought iron balustrades, and art deco lighting. Visible deterioration adds to the character and its beauty seeps through cracks of decay and peeling wallpaper.

Built in 1890, it features a beautiful grand ballroom, a courtroom in the round with original stained-glass windows and tiered seating, civil registration and function rooms and each area will be taken over by some of London’s most exciting established and upcoming contemporary artists. The cells in the building’s basement vault beneath the court room, complete with the original bars from their time as holding chambers, will be transformed into mini art spaces for emerging talent.

The venue itself is an embodiment of local history and community; it has played host to countless marriages and christenings, and performances from legendary London bands such as The Clash and The Slits. Now this ornate grade II listed landmark will be brought to life through an engaging multidisciplinary exhibition.