London According to: Antonia Marsh from Soft Opening

Many emerging contemporary artists, both UK and international, have had their first solo exhibitions at Soft Opening. Expanding from their first space in Piccadilly Circus station to East London in 2019, the gallery celebrates work that seeks to stretch a material's potential. Soft Opening’s founder Antonia Marsh shares her favourite recent exhibitions and reflects on the challenge facing their local artist community.

Favourite restaurant/café in your area? 

We love Koya on Broadway Market for lunch. They have canteen-style ordering which is quick and easy for me if I don't have much time. I could easily order the same thing every day. We go to Elliot's Hackney for gallery dinners. Melted cheese puffs and steak are just dreamy after opening a show. 

Best pub near the gallery? 

The Queen Adelaide on Hackney Road is an iconic and historic venue that played an important role in the queer nightlife of the area and it's just across the street from the gallery. You can usually find us dancing in the basement after openings. 

Your most recommended local business? 

We always suggest that visitors walk up to Donlon Books on Broadway Market for a browse after visiting the gallery. Conor stocks everything from art and photography books to cultural theory and champions independent publications and artist zines. There are also new stores opening up along Hackney Road: Twos has amazing vintage and archival designer clothing and Waste is a world of its own, selling handmade, self published and DIY artist products. They have also just opened a space next door where they invite young artists and creatives to host weekend-long exhibitions.

Favourite museum of gallery in London? 

Just around the corner from us is Auto Italia, a contemporary non-profit who have incredibly smart and fresh programming, with a focus on the intersections of queer studies and social change. Last year I was lucky enough to see Josiane M.H. Pozi's moving performance play, which has stayed with me ever since.

Favourite exhibition in London at the moment and last exhibition you went to? 

I went to see Martine Syms at Sadie Coles HQ last week. I could watch her videos for hours, there is something addictive about their pacing. Before that, Martin Wong at Camden Art Centre. We are very honoured to be loaning two Wong works from a private collection for an upcoming exhibition – a group show curated by gallery artist Maren Karlson that will launch our new project in Los Angeles this November. 

Which emerging art trend and/or artist excited you at the moment? 

I wish I knew more about art trends. In terms of artists, I adore P Staff's work. Their recent exhibition In Ekstase at Kunsthalle Basel took my breath away, literally. 

What's great about your gallery's location? 

While we are in a part of town with abundant food, galleries and nightlife, our street is quiet and calm. We think it's the perfect environment for a gallery because it offers some respite. 

What challenges are gallery owners/artists experiencing in your area? 

The area was previously full of artists because warehouse buildings were perfect for studios, however, with rising rents and developers moving in, sadly we don't feel as surrounded by an artist community as we used to. 

What sets the London art scene apart from that of other cities (your local art scene in particular)? 

In East London, people really love to spend a day visiting galleries. They don't just go to openings and leave it at that. As London is so spread out, when visitors make an effort to come to this part of town, we get much more time with our audience. It means there is a real sense of a community among galleries and their visitors. That connected relationship is not something I hear so much about in other cities. 

Why would you recommend this area to art lovers new to London? 

Aside from the established spaces we all know and love, there seem to be new young galleries popping up every month in the neighbourhood, which is exciting, encouraging and brings great energy. 

Best thing about London? 

Its size, there is so much here!

Worst thing about London? 

Its size!

Soft Opening, 6 Minerva St, London E2 9EH, @soft_opening

^{Main image: Summer opening at Soft Opening on Minerva Street. Courtesy Soft Opening}

^{Thumbnail image: Narumi Nekpenekpen during instal of her show at the gallery. Courtesy Soft Opening}