Martin Creed to fill landmark Camden gallery with balloons

The Grade II-listed former Methodist Church in Prince of Wales Road has been a drama school, then an art gallery, before it closed in December 2023.

Previous owners East Finchley-based philanthropists and art collectors Anita and Poju Zabludowicz had hoped it would continue in community use.

Now it has reopened as the not-for-profit Camden Arts Project with the debut exhibition Martin Creed’s EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.

Martin Creed’s Work No. 3: Half the air in a given space will fill a room with balloons and let visitors interact with them. (Image: Courtesy of Hauser & Wirth) Named after the reassuring yet ambiguous words from Creed’s past conversations, it includes his interactive installation Work No. 3: Half the air in a given space (2025) which was last seen in London at The Hayward Gallery.

Half of the air in the room is contained within hundreds of balloons, with visitors invited to engage with the work in a playful, childlike way that heightens awareness of their own physicality.

Outside, visitors will be welcomed by Creed’s iconic neon piece EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT spanning more than 12 metres and lighting up the building’s facade.

Martin Creed’s neon installation EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT has appeared in numerous locations including the Scottish National Gallery of Contemporary Art. (Image: PA) Creed won the Turner Prize in 2001 for work including The Lights Going On and Off.

The Arts Project officially opened today (May 8) in the neoclassical building, which operated as a church from 1860s to the 1960s.

It then became Drama Centre London, where actors including Colin Firth, Simon Callow, Helen McCrory, Anne Marie Duff, Paul Bettany, Michael Fassbender, Russell Brand, Tom Hardy, and Emilia Clarke all trained.

Turned into a contemporary art gallery in 2017 it housed the Zabludowicz Collection, holding free exhibitions and supporting risk-taking artists.

Now it has a new vision as a home for both established and emerging artists and filmmakers – with the addition of a film screening room.

As well as an exhibition and events programme, Camden Arts Projects will also house a bakery and cafe run by Little Bread Pedlar.

The artisan bread and pastry firm was founded in 2010 and has a branch in Primrose Hill as well as supplying independent restaurants and cafes across London.

Arts project managers hope the bakery will be a welcoming spot for visitors to gather.

And visitors have the chance to find a limited edition of miniature ceramics artworks by Charlotte Colbert hidden in a pastry. It follows the tradition of “fèves”, iwh which small trinkets are discovered in a galette des rois (king cake) or similar dessert.

The person who finds the fève is awarded special privileges or gifts for the day.

The Camden Arts Project is open at 176 Prince of Wales Road, NW5 Wed – Sun 9am until 6pm. For more information visit www.camdenartsprojects.com