For as long as I can remember, two bus inspector kiosks, one on each side of Camberwell Road, sat empty. No longer used for their original purpose, they had become abandoned and graffitied, used by passers to dump rubbish. I walked past many times, to and from my former coworking space or the green, sad to see the state of them – more no longer needed street furniture that was just left to rot. Fortunately, late last year someone decided to give one* of them a new life. It is now my nearest art gallery.
The Camberwell Kabinett was the brainchild of Camille Moreno, a local curator, who has turned the once derelict shell into a space to be used by local artists. It has already hosted a wide range of exhibitions.
“The rotating installation plays off the tradition of the Kunstkabinett, or cabinet of curiosities. Literally translated to “culture room,” and also known as a Kunstkammer, these tiny, curated spaces contain encyclopedic collections of art, artifacts, and images.”
My first visit was in January and since then I always take time to check out the art on display when I’m walking past. I’ve also used it as a destination for a walk after a day of working from home in case there is something new.
As well as planned displays, passers by have used it to contribute their own exhibits, such as the burnt baguette that was just left there one day. It was subsequently given away in the Kabinett’s first ever ‘free auction’.
As I was heading home on Saturday evening a new exhibition was going in and they were having a launch event the next day, which sadly I couldn’t make. I popped by this evening instead. A group of women walked past as I was photographing it, a quick glance at what I was photographing before they continued on their way.
Art is something that should be accessible to all, but it sometimes feels like it’s becoming exclusively accessible to the rich and upper classes. Bringing art to the streets is a great way of helping opening it up to people who may otherwise not think art is for them.
“The exhibitions encourage the dissemination of art for all, as well as the regeneration of forgotten and disused architectures.”
I’ve pulled together all the photos from the exhibitions I’ve seen to date and will keep adding to it for future exhibition. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll display something in the Kabinett myself.
You can follow the Camberwell Kabinett on Instagram or find out more about it here.
*It was only when I was thinking what a great idea that it was that I realised the one of the other side of the road had been removed. I think it would’ve been great to have a gallery on both sides of the road.