A brand-new annual community celebration of art, culture, and local creativity will launch across the borough of Hackney this June.
Hackney Art Week (12-22 June) is open to all and will see local galleries, retailers, cafes, pubs and venues spotlight a vibrant collection of public art, exhibitions, screenings, performances, talks, and community-led events inspired by the theme Reimagining Local.
Taking place across Hackney Central, Dalston, Stoke Newington, London Fields, Clapton, and De Beauvoir, this Fringe-style event brings together emerging artists, collectives, and East London creatives through a series of exhibitions, walking tours, drinks, and pop-up events. Venues will be open late for evening events, drinks and performances.
The free ten-day event will feature a showcase of exciting artists and performances showcased across a series of community partners including Wilton Way Gallery, On the Square, Fran’s, Mad Atelier, The Scolt Head, The Clarence Tavern, Retrouvé, Abney Park Café, Canal Boat Contemporary, The Cannery, Ombra, Forno London, Mackintosh Lane, and Numbers Winery.
On the Square, the stunning De Beauvoir residence, billed by The Financial Times as “a fanciful exhibition space for new design”, will host a dynamic mix of performances, installations, and participatory works that reflect Hackney’s vibrant creative community.
Throughout Hackney Art Week, On the Square becomes a living platform for spontaneous artistic exchange. Expect daily interventions by local collectives, including guerrilla-style printmaking pop-ups, live sound collages, and communal weaving sessions.
Highlights include Tomoyo Tsurumi, Eva the Weaver. J Hill Standard, Tshylike, On the Square X Tweed project blankets (Ally Capellino & Larusi & Eva the weaver & Tomoyo), Stow Studio, Doreen Kilfeather & Aisling Farinella & Jesse Beagley. Plus The Upside Down Collection featuring Non Violent Cutlery, Irenie Studio, Kasia Kempa and Flavia Braendle.
Highlights at On the Square will include “Collective Pulse” – a durational sound and movement piece choreographed by community dancers, looping ambient rhythms and gestures in a slowly shifting formation, “Banner Bureau” – an open workshop where visitors can co-create protest-style banners on themes of care, resistance, and joy, led by Hackney textile artists. Plus Public Crits – an experimental platform where emerging artists share work-in-progress and invite open feedback, facilitated by guest curators and peers.
