William James Ashley

Explorer Tom White Cube's Bermondsey gallery opens from a London street into a bright courtyard and large rooms where contemporary art has plenty of space to misbehave. The title sounds modest for a place this big. Tom says he could fill one room with his opinions; the artists have a much better claim. This is the Bermondsey home of White Cube, a commercial gallery that opened here in 2011. The converted 1970s building has several exhibition rooms, including a tall, naturally lit space called 9x9x9. Exhibitions change, and the works can range across painting, sculpture, photography and other forms. It is a gallery where art is also for sale, but the public rooms invite a visit without a purchase. The building's spare spaces shape how each exhibition is seen: a small work may ask you to move closer, while a large installation can take command of the whole room. Entry to the Bermondsey gallery is free; check its current exhibition dates and opening days before going. The address is 144–152 Bermondsey Street, and the public gallery spaces are on the ground floor. Walk through the courtyard, then give each room a first look before reading about the work. Photography rules can vary with an exhibition, so ask staff before taking pictures. Do not confuse this venue with White Cube's other London address at Mason's Yard. Tom has found a wall big enough for his imaginary masterpiece. Kindly leave it blank. The fun here is watching real artists make those big rooms feel utterly different from one visit to the next.