BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors

The Perimeter

Famous contemporaries and Victorian industrial architecture in Bloomsbury

The Perimeter, London
The Perimeter, London

You probably wouldn’t expect exhibition spaces for contemporary art to be nestled between densely packed, eighteenth-century coachman’s houses on a quiet side street, just behind the traditional townhouse in Bloomsbury where Charles Dickens once lived. But this is precisely where Alexander Petalas had a former three-story Victorian warehouse completely gutted, constructing expansive spaces for his art collection. Winding from cellar to ceiling is a newly installed staircase featuring a shiny nickel silver railing designed by Petalas himself.

The Perimeter, London. Photo: Tom Griffiths
The Perimeter, London. Photo: Tom Griffiths
The Perimeter, London. Photo: Tom Griffiths
The Perimeter, London. Photo: Tom Griffiths

Represented in the collection, which has steadily grown in size since 2009, are works by both established names as well as emerging artists. Included here is the American Christopher Williams and many British and German artists such as Sarah Lucas, Wolfgang Tillmans, Tomma Abts, Rebecca Warren, or the young Turner Prize winner Helen Marten.

Since opening in 2018, The Perimeter presents two exhibitions a year. Currently on view is Sarah Lucas SEX LIFE, an exhibition presenting an overview into the development of the artist’s career from the perspective of the collector.

Exhibition view of Sarah Lucas, SEX LIFE. Photo: Andy Stagg
Exhibition view of Sarah Lucas, SEX LIFE. Photo: Andy Stagg
Exhibition view of Sarah Lucas, SEX LIFE. Photo: Andy Stagg
Exhibition view of Sarah Lucas, SEX LIFE. Photo: Andy Stagg

Images courtesy The Perimeter, London.

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