Nunnery Gallery

Housed in a former 19th-century convent building, surrounded by our artist studios, the Nunnery Gallery is our not-for-profit art space. Our programme pushes boundaries with an original and creative approach that explores the stories of east London and celebrates today’s artistic talent.

Open to the public Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm, all exhibitions are free to enter.

Coming up

living in fear of quicksand
Maria Amidu

Friday 3rd March 2023 – Sunday 21st May 2023, 10:00am to 4:00pm Exhibition Nunnery Gallery & Café, 181 Bow Road Bow Road

An exhibition by Maria Amidu exploring a fragile relationship to home.

Sharing circle: archiving memories and sonic healing with Aditi Ahalya Jaganathan

Thursday 30 March – 6:00 pm Events for artists and creatives Live talks / Performances Workshops Bow Arts Trust Courtyard Room, 183 Bow Road Bow Road

How can we collectively heal through sound and sharing? Join Aditi Ahalya Jaganathan as we dive into the memories that objects, stories, and oral traditions carry.

Bow Skills Artist Talk: Rosa-Johan Uddoh on non-hierarchical and collaborative practice

Wednesday 5 April – 6:00 pm Events for artists and creatives Live talks / Performances Bow Arts Trust Courtyard Room, 183 Bow Road Bow Road

Hear from interdisciplinary artist Rosa-Johan Uddoh as she shares her insights on non-hierarchical artistic practice, collective knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the importance of playfulness in art. This event will feature screenings of Practice Makes Perfect (2021) and Cultural Field (2022).

See all exhibitions and events

Our permanent programme

A film is on in a black box Nunnery Gallery

Visions in the Nunnery

A renowned showcase of moving image, digital and performance art, with works selected from across the world. The biennial exhibition offers an informed overview of the provocative and quick-changing nature of these mediums.

Paint and paintbrushes on a table in a Bow Road studio

East London Art Prize

Bow Arts is the proud founder of the East London Art Prize, celebrating and promoting the incredible talent and diversity of art made in the cultural hive of east London. The Nunnery Gallery hosts the winner’s exhibition biennially.

People talk in the gallery surrounded by artworks inspired by and made from wood

Raw Materials

Our ongoing research project exploring the rich industrial history of the River Lea Valley, one material at a time. Led by members of our community, we share the stories and remember the businesses that have shaped the evolution of east London.

Bow Open

Our greatly anticipated annual exhibition presenting the work and talent of Bow Arts studio holders, selected by a notable guest curator each year.

Getting to the Nunnery Gallery

Opening hours: Tues to Sun 10am – 4pm

Address: Nunnery Gallery, 181 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ

Nearest station(s): Bow Road (District and Hammersmith and City lines) is a 6-minute walk away, and Bow Church (DLR) is a 3-minute walk away.

Bus: 205, 25, 425, A8, D8, 108, 276, 488 and 8 all service the surrounding area.

Two people serve coffee out of a window hatch

Caption

The Nunnery Café

Bow Road

Enjoy a coffee and a toastie in our cosy Nunnery Café, serving a selection of locally-made cakes, pastries, toasties, soups and other delicious treats. Tucked away down Bow Arts Lane and adjoined to the Nunnery Gallery, it’s the perfect place to unwind or meet friends.

Two people converse in a crowded Nunnery Gallery

Support the Nunnery Gallery

Help us to secure the future of the Nunnery Gallery, so future generations can have access to art, right on Bow’s doorstep.

Hire the gallery

Interested in hiring The Nunnery Gallery? From exhibitions and workshops, to drink receptions and weddings, our venue is the perfect setting for a unique event, and all fees support our gallery’s work. We’d love to hear from you!

Chisenhale Gallery

A non-profit contemporary art gallery in an old veneer factory and brewery warehouse, commissioning and producing contemporary art.

Whitechapel Gallery

A public art gallery in Whitechapel, full of great art and ideas from around the corner and around the world. Every month we take part in their First Thursdays, opening our gallery late on the first Thursday of the month!

Roman Road

Roman Road’s famous Roman Road Market offers the experience of a traditional street market that has stayed true to its East End roots and offers fantastic bargains.

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