Apricot Gallery

Probably the most-changed room at the Rag Factory, the Apricot Gallery was named not for the colour of its walls, but for the theatre company who first painted them for us in exchange for rehearsal space, Apricot Theatre.  Neither we nor they had any money, but their offer of labour for rehearsal space was much appreciated in those early days and allowed us to get the space workable much quicker.

Now a far larger space, thanks to the demolition of a few walls, the Apricot Gallery is a light, airy space with long white walls and natural light via the roof-ights (although these can be easily covered over for video installations and filming).

Since its renovation, the space has hosted exhibitions and degree shows by students from prestigious institutions including UCA Rochester, Central St Martin’s, UEL, Slade, Goldsmiths, Guildford and Westminster University, as well as important solo and group shows by professional artists.  More affordable than other gallery spaces in the area, the Apricot Gallery is ideal for artists without gallery representation who wish to exhibit their own material.  Indeed, at least one show we know of was invited to exhibit at the Truman Brewery after previewing here.

This studio has also played host to a number of launch events, film screenings, theatre previews, music videos, TV crews (including, for instance, the BBC3 series The Indestructibles) and courses. Apricot is adjacent to, and can open into, our Hume Studio, either as an extension of Hume, or as a green room or location hub / unit base.

Naturally, given our background, Apricot is frequently used for theatre and film rehearsals, castings and photo shoots - in fact it may well be the longest daylit photographic studio in London.

The room measures 14.25ft x 78ft x 9.5ft or 4.3m x 24m x 2.9m (some higher ceiling heights into roof-light recesses - up to 11.5ft or 3.5m).