The Art in Perpetuity Trust studios are sited in the former Denis engineering works bordering the tidal creek of the Ravensbourne river. Though the area is now a light industrial zone it has a rich and varied history. Deptford Creek was an important shipbuilding centre in the early days of the wooden sailing ships and the new APT studios are built on the site of Henry 8th’s abattoir. The Creek itself is one of the few remaining tributaries of the Thames that has not been covered over. It harbours an array of wildlife and acts as a nursery for species that inhabit the main river.
APT move to Deptford
Now the area is changing again with an emphasis on cultural provision. APT was one of the first to move here in 1995 from its former site in King George St., West Greenwich. This move was prompted by the landlord’s disposal of the site to developers. One of the key concerns therefore was to find a secure location which would allow for continuity in the artists’ creative development. APT is unique in that it is established and run by the artists themselves and its members, through the charitable Trust, own the freehold of the building.
Cultural developments in Deptford
The new studios and gallery are only one of a series of cultural developments that are taking place in Creekside. Perhaps the most visible is the new Laban dance centre that occupies the northern end of the road. Due to open in autumn 2002, the new building is by the Swiss architects Herzog de Meuron, best known for the conversion of Tate Modern.
To the south, by the Deptford Broadway DLR, is the old Seager Distillery site. This is due to host the new Goldsmiths College gallery and the relocation of the Hales gallery from its current premises in Deptford High St.. The Albany theatre is to enter into a collaboration with the National Theatre Company and Cockpit Arts centre for applied arts is moving into Creekside.
The ‘Deptford X’ contemporary art festival is now in its fourth year and the opening of the APT exhibition “10 days in Deptford” will coincide with the start of this year’s event. The Museum of Installation moved onto Deptford High St. in the late 1990’s and has now become an established part of the cultural landscape.
The development of the building
APT has studios for approximately 40 artists and a gallery that acts as a focus for its work as an educational charity. There have been successive waves in the development of the building, from the first conversion in 1995 to the necessary remedial work, the refurbishment of the gallery and new studios that can be seen today. The Trust has received assistance from, among others, the Single Regeneration Budget and contributions from Lewisham Council and the London Development Agency. In a recent survey the artists at APT were found to have originated, or participated in, over 600 exhibitions in the course of four years.
The gallery at APT
The gallery has seen a variety of events, from displays of artwork by local schools to exhibitions by visiting artist groups from Barcelona, Turin, Frankfurt and Brussels. In a collaboration with the Barbican, a group of Cuban artists used the space for a series of workshops resulting in a drawing exhibition. In 2000 the gallery received funding for a director, Barney Drabble, and embarked on a series of lively shows including ‘Video Lounge’, the Elvis karaoke installation ‘Burning Love’ by Guy Bar-Amotz and Ross Sinclair - and ‘Chu-hi and Chips’ by Andy Parsons and Hide Ishibashi.
The Open Studios
The Open Studios have been an annual event at APT since its beginning and forms an essential part of the artists’ calendar. It is a chance to open the doors to the general public and show the practical side of their creative process. Some of the artists take the opportunity to show work in development, or that has yet to be exhibited, and the Open days are often characterised by lively discussions between the artists and their visitors.
Paul Malone 2002