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A celebrated Fitzrovia art gallery that has been in operation for 13 years has made the difficult decision to close, citing a downturn in the art market as a contributing factor. Founded in 2012 by gallerist Hannah Watson and the late publisher Gigi Giannuzzi, TJ Boulting is considered among London’s best commercial galleries.
Known for championing female artists, in particular those working in the fields of video and photography, in recent years TJ Boulting has garnered several great reviews from Time Out, for shows by the likes of Juno Calypso, Maisie Cousins and Daisy Collingridge. The gallery’s final show, An Oeuf is An Oeuf, featured works by Sarah Lucas, Man Ray and Francesca Woodman, and received a four-star review from Time Out’s Eddy Frankel, who called it a ‘brilliant, joyful, funny’ exhibition.
The gallery was based in a two-storey art nouveau building on Riding House Street. TJ Boulting took its name from the green and gold tiling advertising its former occupier, an electrical company named T J Boulting and Sons, and the space was also home to the gallery’s publishing arm, Trolley Books, which will continue operations without a permanent base.
Speaking to the Art Newspaper, Watson said that the art market’s downturn had ‘certainly been a factor’ in the decision. ‘I don’t know many galleries that are having an easy time right now,’ said the co-founder. ‘I managed to keep going without compromising, but looking ahead to the next five to ten years you have to consider what is feasible. You are ultimately running a business.’
Announcing the decision on Instagram on Valentine’s Day, she also wrote, ‘On this most auspicious of days I would like to announce that after 13 incredible years, I have closed the gates under the green and gold mosaic portal of TJ Boulting for the final time. Sending my heartfelt thanks and love to all the artists, supporters, collectors and visitors that have passed through them. Many, many wonderful times have been had, we’ve hosted some sensational exhibitions, worked with amazing artists and loved every second of it. It is with a full heart I am looking forward to the future.’
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