citylikeyou — Camden Arts Centre — London by Chrissie Macdonald

My walk through the Heath often continues on to the Camden Arts Centre, a really fantastic exhibition space that runs workshops and courses as well as having a great café and bookshop to boot. I collect their exhibition booklets called File Notes - beautifully designed by James Goggin and Sarah De Bondt - some memorable shows include Eva Hesse Studiowork, The Bruce Lacey Experience and Serena Korda’s Aping the Beast. The latter concluded with a procession from the gallery up to the Heath, culminating in a re-enactment of The Battle of the River Plate in a pond. This is my photo of the Beast and the Boob Meteorite.

Address
Camden Arts Centre, Finchley Road, Arkwright Road, London, United Kingdom

Illustrator Art Director

Current city: London

chrissiemacdonald.co.uk

I’m an illustrator, maker and art director based in London and work with photographers to create images for clients such as the V&A, Orange, The New York Times, Creative Review and Wallpaper*. As part of Peepshow Collective I work collaboratively with the other members on exhibitions, animation and installation projects. Portrait by Jenny Lewis.

More Places in London 471

London / Place

Not long in the custody of the National Trust, designed by Philip Webb and commissioned by William Morris, in 1859. Tucked away in Beckenham. William and Jane Morris only lived here for five years; not a happy time of their marriage. But there is humility, authority and even bite, in the domestic scale. The rigorous, holistic design-hand at work belies any sense of souvenir shop Morris-lite. The vegetable garden in late Summer is the place to be.

London / Transport

The number 9 bus is the last of London’s old Routemasters. It’s a reminder of how far London has come over the years both in technology and design. The route itself is also one of the Heritage routes going past all of London’s key attractions such as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park Corner and the Royal Albert Hall and the buses are still run by a traditional conductor which is fun and keeps things personal. It is a quintessential London journey.

London / Museum

A walled secret garden, the Physic Garden is like a time capsule, founded in 1673 to allow apprentices of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London to study the healing properties of plants, it is now a living museum. Tours are offered by volunteers with immense knowledge of botany and the cultural history of the garden or visitors can wander the grounds alone and spot odd and fascinating plants such as the mystical Mandrake.

London / Museum

I rediscovered this place recently having not been for years and now I keep returning. The geological galleries are my favourites.

London / Shop

I’m not sure what I like best about this deli: the speck which was so good that I ‘accidentally’ ate the whole package of it before I got home, or the fact the staff are always so friendly even when I ask for my order in my terribly rusty Italian.