CALVERT 22 TO OPEN IN LONDON

A NEW FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ART FROM RUSSIA AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Opens 17 April 2009 Inaugural Exhibition: 17 April – 14 June 2009

Calvert 22, London’s first not-for-profit foundation specialising in art from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, will open in London’s East End in April 2009. Founded by Russian art collector and economist Nonna Materkova and under the curatorial direction of Jane Neal, Calvert 22 will present four curated exhibitions each year, with the aim of promoting Russia and Central and Eastern Europe’s rich contemporary art culture. Calvert 22 will launch its programme with an exhibition of new and recent art from Russia.

The foundation will present artists already established in their country of origin alongside fresh, emerging talent, and consistently reflect the best of the contemporary art scene. In addition to a strong exhibition programme, Calvert 22 will offer talks, debates and educational events, all with the purpose of encouraging cultural exchange between Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and the international art scene.

Calvert 22’s inaugural exhibition will present works by four leading contemporary Russian artists, and will be curated by David Thorp, former Director of South London Gallery. This will be followed by a show of contemporary paintings from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, curated by Jane Neal and opening at the end of June 2009.

Opening in the third week of September will be an exhibition of Russian video artists co-curated by Isaac Julien and Mark Nash. Calvert 22’s final show for 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and will open on 9 November.

Situated on Calvert Avenue, in the heart of Shoreditch’s vibrant art scene, Calvert 22 is a converted warehouse space. The gallery space, designed by Susan Minter and measuring 5,500 square feet, benefits from floor to ceiling windows and a large basement area, which will be used as an events and library space.

Nonna Materkova
Founder and Director, Calvert 22

Nonna Materkova, born and raised in St. Petersburg, has lived in London since 1999. A keen collector of contemporary art, Materkova has a Masters degree in Economics and Finance from St. Petersburg State University and studied at the London School of Economics. Winner of the Yeltsin Scholarship for Young Russian Business Leaders, Materkova also received a British Council Scholarship in 1998. She is Director of Roslink, a London-based corporate finance consultancy and is the former Head of Major Investment Projects at the Finance Committee of City of St. Petersburg.

Jane Neal
Artistic Director, Calvert 22

Jane Neal will oversee Calvert 22’s programme of exhibitions and bring leading and emerging artists from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe to public attention in London. With an extensive knowledge of the Central and Eastern European art scenes developed through her critical writing and collaborations with artists and curators, Neal curated the landmark 2006-07 Cluj Connection exhibition at Haunch of Venison, Zurich. In 2007, she curated the critically acclaimed Across the Trees: Romanian Art Now at David Nolan Gallery in New York.

Sophie Benjamin
Gallery Manager, Calvert 22

Sophie Benjamin has worked within the creative industries for many years, and studied Fine Art at the Slade School of Fine Art. She has been closely involved in the conception, design and development of Calvert 22 and will manage the gallery, working with the Directors, curators and artists to deliver the exhibition and events programme.

Visitor Information
Address: 22 Calvert Avenue, London E2 7JP
Admission: Free
Contact: info@calvert22.com
Nearest Tube: Old St / Liverpool St