Vitrine Gallery Closes After 14 Years Due to Economic Pressures and Political Climate
Vitrine, a gallery with locations in London and Basel, will be closing this month after 14 years in business, as announced today by its founding director, Alys Williams. The decision is attributed to the challenges facing galleries today, including rising overhead costs and the increasing pressure on mid-sized galleries to compete with larger operations. Despite experiencing significant growth in business over the past three years, Vitrine’s overhead costs have escalated, particularly in shipping, storage, and administration. The closure is also influenced by the arts funding crisis in the UK, exacerbated by political instability and Brexit-related uncertainties. Vitrine, which represents 15 artists, will be wrapping up its final shows in London’s Fitzrovia and Bermondsey spaces, showcasing works by artists such as Tim Etchells and Kara Chin. Williams remains committed to Vitrine’s founding principles of new models and experimental programming, promising to keep communication open with the gallery’s artists in the future.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.