Utrophia Project Space: The Ice Cream Factory

136 Tanners Hill, Deptford, London, SE8 4QD

Situated on Tanners Hill the building was originally an ice cream factory in the 50's and used to have cow sheds in the yard providing fresh milk for the ice cream.

When we (Emily Wasp) found the building it had been empty for two years rotting away and gathering dust.

We moved in and pounced on the place like a fire breathing dragon.

Studios were built, things cleared away, rubbish put in a big rubbish pile, floors linseeded, you name it, we did it. All in winter as well.

Slowly but surely the space has evolved. There have been choppy waters where we nearly got thrown out, money was (still is) tight, water leaks into the building in certain places and we have struggled with rent and business rates...

But we got through it all.

A real turning point for the space was a one woman army called Molly Palmer.

For her show the Utrophia team mobilised and made the final push for the downstairs exhibition space to become white, gleaming and phresh. She invested loads of her own money for the show (with a share coming from Utrophia as well) and we ended up with a fully functioning beautiful space.

We have toyed with the idea of erecting a statue in her honour.

Now the space has come of age with an impressive range of work from all over the world having been platformed.

We even have a vegetable patch.

Watch this space for what's coming on in the future...

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