Author Description

The London Open 2018 is the Whitechapel Gallery triennial exhibition, showcasing some of the most dynamic work being made across the capital in 2018. First known as the East End Academy, then the Whitechapel Open, and finally The London Open, the Whitechapel Gallery has been open for submissions to exhibit since 1932. From the 1970s, when the area around the Gallery in East London was home to some of the UK's most important artists, it also became a launch pad for many artists in the early stages of their career including Peter Doig, Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Julian Opie, Cornelia Parker, Grayson Perry, Bob & Roberta Smith, Richard Wentworth and Rachel Whiteread. Since 2012 Whitechapel Gallery has expanded the reach of The London Open exhibition to include artists from all over London, recognising the Gallery's cultural role in the city and reputation for exhibiting the best in contemporary art. The 2018 selection panel is composed of Emily Butler, Mahera and Mohammad Abu Ghazaleh Curator; Cameron Foote, Assistant Curator, Whitechapel Gallery; Ryan Gander, Artist; Paul Hedge, Hales Gallery; Robert Suss, Collector; and Amy Sherlock, Frieze Magazine.