The Islington Arts Factory

In the early 50s, a young couple of artists, Pauline Clayden and Alan John, decided to make fine arts accessible to the working class of London. They set up a centre where Pauline taught ballet and Alan the visual arts, and because their target audience was strapped for cash, they made the lessons as affordable as possible: the price of a bag of sweets for kids, the equivalent of a disco entry fee for teenagers, and the cost of a pack of fags for the adults. Try and beat that price today.

Half a century later, the Islington Arts Factory is a thriving community of artists and students. There is space for exhibitions (directed by Denzil Forrester) in three separate halls, as well as classes (directed by Philippa Clayden, daughter to the founders) in dance, music, and the range of visual arts.

The Factory has remained true to its founding principles by keeping low prices and showcasing artists who would not otherwise find space in galleries aiming only at sales profits. Fed up with the common practice of setting up only one subject matter or style, the folks at the Factory are dedicated to representing as many visions as possible.

This effort, as most things these days, has recently gone global. In addition to bringing budding young local artists to fame, the Factory has dedicated itself to introducing to Britain the work of artists already established in other corners of the world. The first and most notorious example is that of Ronald Moody, a Jamaican sculptor who exhibited his work in the fifties. Moody subsequently brought over a whole slew of fellow Caribbean artists, opening the London market to a previously ignored art scene.

The Arts Factory humbly sees itself as the initial step on the career ladder of the artists it exhibits. What is certain is that it offers London arts-lovers an alternative view to what all the other galleries regularly overlook.

Contact Info:

Islington Arts Factory
2 Parkhurst Rd., Islington N7
tel: 020 7607 0561
IAF@islingtonartsfactory.fsnet.co.uk
www.islingtonartsfactory.org.uk