Whitechapel Gallery

Occupying 80-82 Whitechapel High Street is the Whitechapel Gallery. Originally named the East End Gallery, the Whitechapel Gallery was established by a local Vicar Canon Samuel Barnett of St. Judes and opened its doors to the public in 1901. The Gallery was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, an architect associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. The exhibits were displayed over two spacious floors and was an instant success.

Whitechapel Gallery became one of the first publicly funded galleries in London. The Whitechapel Gallery is still heavily involved with education and local projects, concentrating on the local areas Asian community in recent years. The Gallery underwent a major renovation 1986 and there are plans to further upgrade the facility in the future.

The Whitechapel Gallery has never had a permanent collection but favours temporary exhibitions. Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock have both exhibited at the gallery. Whitechapel is also recognized as one of the venues responsible for launching David Hockney and the Pop Art movement. Famously the Whitechapel Gallery held the "This is Tomorrow" exhibition in 1956. The Whitechapel gallery also hosts regular workshops and lectures. Every other year, the Whitechapel Gallery hosts the Whitechapel Open- a unique event that showcases artists exclusively from the East End of London.