Vortex Gallery in the 1980s
Described by Time Out as ‘Futurism in Stoke Newington’, Vortex Gallery was established in 1984 by Irving Kinnersley and David Mossman at 139-141 Church Street, Stoke Newington, N16.
Over the first year, they transformed the building from a run-down warehouse into an arts complex, with an art supplies shop cafe and bookshop downstairs, using the large upstairs space for the gallery. They initially installed a small cafe at the back; for a time, visitors drank their coffee overlooked by a full-size wire-mesh horse.
Over time, the cafe migrated upstairs, where there was more space.
Irving undertook development of the gallery, curating numerous well-received exhibitions. Many of the artists came from studios based in warehouses in the Hackney area, which provided plentiful cheap studio space. At this time the area was reputed to house the highest concentration of working artists in the world. However, the gallery also hosted exhibitions featuring artists from across London and the UK including artists such as Fabian Peake, Vanessa Jackson, Peter Cobb, James Faure Walker, Paul Davey, Jim Jack and Noel Forster. The gallery quickly established a national and international reputation.
In the late 80s, Irving, as a jazz fan, initiated a series of jazz events in the gallery. These were successful and grew into a program of nightly events initially constrained to duos, but the procurement of an entertainment license meant programming could become more ambitious and include larger groups of musicians. Over time Vortex Jazz became an increasingly important part of the overall business, developing its own national and international reputation.
After a few years, Irving left to run his own businesses, and then to pursue his interest in music, becoming an electro-acoustic composer. David continued to run the jazz bar, which still exists, (in a different location), but over time the gallery faded away.
Now the gallery has the opportunity for a second incarnation: as Vortex Redux
Linked Pages:
vortexgallery.org 