“It’s such a treat to visit an artist’s studio. Not only do you get to speak directly to artists and learn more about their process and approach – but the spaces themselves are fascinating,” says Sophie Hill, director of arts and events at Bow Arts, the East-London based arts and education charity.
Hill is speaking to East End Review ahead of BowFest, the annual open studios event that invites the public into the working studios of over 100 artists, alongside a programme of art, music, workshops and food.
For Hill, accessibility is a key part of BowFest, particularly for those who may not usually engage with the arts. “BowFest is just as much about community as it is about art,” she explains.
“It’s a chance to meet your local artists and neighbours. Events can sometimes feel like safer spaces than walking into an exhibition. You can come along with your family or friends, even if it’s just to have a pint at our courtyard bar on the Friday or join in with the free family workshop on the Saturday. If you end up enjoying the exhibition or seeing an artwork that moves you, that’s fantastic, but it’s not the only reason to come along.”
Visitors to BowFest can see the bold, pop art-inspired work of illustrator Ryan Hodge, whose practice is centred around his two biggest passions - pets and queer icons. On display are his commissioned pet portraits made through his business Woof Portraits, alongside newer ink drawings, which he describes as “playful, expressive and full of spontaneous energy.”
Hodge, who has been a Bow Road studio holder for many years, describes a welcoming studio culture where inspiration often comes as much from conversation as from the work itself: “We have a busy and diverse floor with a wide range of artists and makers, and that sense of shared creativity is incredibly inspiring. I love to hear what everyone is working on and where they might be exhibiting their work. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about their craft creates a really positive and motivating environment.”
For Hodge, spaces like Bow Arts are “absolutely vital.” He reflects: “Over the years, I’ve seen more and more creative spaces disappear across East London as redevelopment continues. Without organisations like Bow Arts, many artists would struggle to maintain a sustainable practice in London. These spaces don’t just support individual artists, they help preserve the creative identity and diversity that makes London such an exciting place to live and work.”
This concern is closely tied to Bow Arts’ wider approach to affordability and artist support. As Hill explains, the organisation operates as a social enterprise, “which means 100 per cent of income generated goes back into artists and communities”, with recent investment in long-term studio provision including the Lakeside Centre in Thamesmead, which provides secure, affordable space for 45 artists.
Artists Babette van Gerwen and Will Kennedy, recent arrivals to the Bow Road studios, are excited to open up their studio to the public: “It’s a great opportunity for us to have the community come through so we can share what we’re working on, exchange ideas, and see what people think, and get to know more people who live here. Of course it’s a bit intimidating too but it’s always a positive experience!”
Visitors can see the artists’ recent crisp and ant paintings alongside collaborative costume and performance ideas - “we’re currently inspired by frogs, and are making folk inspired costumes with paper maché clay made with collected egg boxes.”
Like Hodge, the pair emphasise the importance of a stable studio: “It’s nice in this climate that it’s possible to still have a large, affordable and stable work space. Lessening the financial pressures means we can move and play around more, collect things we’re inspired by, and take a few more risks than we’d otherwise be able to.”
Longstanding studio holder Nye Thompson, who curated last year's Bow Open exhibition for its 30th anniversary, reflects on joining the studios in 2013: “I’ve been part of the Bow Arts community for 13 years now and it’s been a huge support in so many ways as my art career has developed.”
Thompson notes the biggest evolution of Bow Arts she has witnessed is its expansion across London: “During a period where UK arts funding has decreased year on year, Bow Arts have somehow managed to scale up while remaining affordable for hard-pressed creatives.”
At this year’s BowFest, Thompson presents new artworks including work-in-progress video clips from a project about Mars, having filmed herself “walking on Mars (via an old copper mine in north Wales)”, alongside the spacesuit she wore. Thompson also shares new drawings that explore different ways that machines see the world, alongside a series of pencil drawings of AI-generated environments - “strange impossible spaces populated by awkward semi-human creatures. They are based on stills from my horror films for machines.”
Running alongside BowFest is the annual Bow Open exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery, this year in collaboration with young curators from award-winning youth and community organisation, Mile End Community Project. “Mile End Community Project has been down the road from Bow Arts throughout our existence – we’ve both been here for 30 years!” Hill exclaims.
“A collaboration felt long overdue and we’ve been looking for new ways to invite young people into our space. It’s important the gallery feels like a space to which they can contribute – these are the artists, curators and programmers of our future.”
BowFest
19-20 June 2026.
Bow Open is on show 5 June - 30 August 2026.
Nunnery Gallery
181-183 Bow Road
London E3 2SJ
