Parasol Unit

Parasol Unit is one of London’s most prominent art galleries. Tucked away in Wharf Road en route from Shoreditch to King’s Cross it is very much a destination with consistently impressive programming. More than simply a gallery it is also a foundation, privately funded, with a broader, not-​for-​profit mandate than its seeming competitors, although to be quite honest I’ve not explored this aspect of it too much. I do make a point of checking out each new installation. Well worth a visit.

The Parasol Unit, a foundation for contemporary art, is an exhibition space promoting current working artist’s projects. The foundation is privately funded and not-​for-​profit so it’s free for the public to visit. They put on three to four shows a year and most exhibitions are dedicated to one artist whose work is spread throughout the two floors of light and airy gallery space.
It’s really easy to get to, just off city road (in between Old St tube station and Angel), and open every day except Monday. They also hold evening events including poetry reading, film shows, and exhibition talks every other Thursday.
I saw the exhibition by Charles Avery called the ‘Islanders’, which was totally captivating. The artist has spent 10 years creating texts, drawings, installations and sculptures which make up and describe an imaginary island. The work was clever, intricate and detailed. I was even compelled to go back and see it again the following week.
This has just been replaced with an exhibition showing 12 years worth of work by Y.Z. Kami called ‘Endless Prayers’, which I intend to see this month.
I have high hopes for every new exhibition on here as the history of the Parasol Unit is impressive and has so far only shown thought provoking, inventive, new work by exceptionally talented contemporary artists.