Small House Gallery is a contemporary art curation project for a series of dolls houses currently located in a private residence in South London. The project (or parts of it) occasionally travels to other spaces, galleries or studios, mainly London and commutable surrounds, but it does sometimes go further afield (eg. Small House Cottage was on tour to Northumberland in Spring 2022, Whitstable Biennale Satellite in Summer 2022, and NE Lincolnshire to Turntable Gallery, Grimsby from Autumn 2022 onwards).

The original Small House Gallery (est 2016) is a large miniature art gallery in a 1:12 scaled three storey dolls house with white walls, grey floors and electric swivvel spot lights. (1:12 scale means 1 inch in the dolls house equates to 1 foot in a lifesized house.)

Small House Two is the same make and style with an additional floor (basement) and the possibility of using a converted 'roof terrace' level above the attic. (4-5 storeys' worth of exhibition space in total to play with). It's white and grey inside and has the same mains lighting as Small House One.

Small House Cottage is a 1:12 scaled house, but it's an altogether different offer. It's two sided, with two storeys, and eight-nine rooms plus two room-like stairwells (10-11 separate spaces to fill - it's like having two houses in one). It's vintage, handmade, and pre-decorated with large-print wallpaper and 'carpeting', a built-in kitchen that can't be moved or removed, and chimney breasts in two of the rooms. It would suit experimental, site-specific installation of works that sit harmoniously (or antagonistically) in this very particular miniature space.  There is no lighting as there's nowhere to hide the wiring. It would also suit battery-operated micro-light sculputres/ installations and /or videos on small-screen devices (supplied by the artist). 

We want some mavericks to propose some kickass shows for one or both sides of this house, without permanently changing or damaging the structure or decor. 

It's the most challenging of the houses to curate and to photograph, but it's the most fun and satisfying because you really have to coax a good show out of it and when it comes together, it's a mini triumph for everyone involved.

Dale Wells of Turntable Gallery, Grimsby is going to be doing some small renovations to it in advance of his own Small House Cottage exhibition 'Sackgassen' and will be co-curating an exciting cutting edge micro programme for the Cottage from his base in NE Lincolnshire. (Please note: If this is the house you want to propose for, your application will be viewed by Eldi Dundee, Dale Wells, and Turntable's co-curator Darren Neaves.)

See: https://smallhousegallery.uk/the-houses

SHC definitely doesn't suit all works - the other two houses are more traditional, better lit, and really, everything looks good in them.

Regardless, proposals of 3D works are preferred for exhibitions in SHG1 and SH2, or at least a good balance of floor- and wall-based works. Having said that, we have had some lovely 2D shows in there, so send in a preview of what you want to show, and let's take it from there.

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Artist proposals from emerging and more established fine artists working across all disciplines are welcome.  Artists of underrepresented identities of any and all kinds are expressly welcome.

This opportunity will suit artists who work in miniature, or want to depart from ususal practice and experiment with small scale. Maquettes for large works are also welcome, if they fit. We encourage video on mobile phones and tablets, and micro light intallation work, too. Not as interested in scaled down repros of bigger works, but can be persuaded if the concept/presentation is arresting enough. Original artworks preferred.

Before you make a proposal, make sure you check out our website for pictures and dimensions!

https://smallhousegallery.uk/the-houses

COSTS:
£5  to SUBMIT a PROPOSAL for a show.
£25 (minimum) if SELECTED.
(Message for payment details)

(£3 submission fee for genuine concessionary need, please)
(£15 concessionary showing fee if selected - please only choose this option if there is genuine need)

(If money is a barrier, even at the concessions level, let's talk anyway. We may be able to offer a discretionary bursary place if a previous artist purposely overpaid in order to facilitate this very thing!)

Thanks for your time and energy, and we wish you the best of luck!