Make Do / Make Space

Curated by Nicholas Stavri

'Make Do / Make Space' is a rallying cry for a generation of self-starting artists who have refused to wait for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions to open up. At a time when public funding is shrinking, institutional support remains out of reach for many, and museum doors stay closed to the unrepresented, these artists have built their own communities, made do with limited resources, made space where none existed, and produced some of the most exciting sculptural work in London.

'Make Do / Make Space' is an intergenerational survey, responding to the renewed energy of London's contemporary art scene. Brought together by curator Nicholas Stavri and Hypha Studios, the exhibition platforms a cross section of emerging and mid-career artists whose practices reflect the material, spatial, and social dynamics shaping life and creativity in the city.
The exhibition brings life to a previously empty office space in Bankside to present ambitious work that reflects the realities of making in a city of rising costs, disappearing studios, and shrinking cultural infrastructure. At its heart are themes of resilience, sustainability, community, and the resourcefulness that defines London's thriving DIY art scene.

At its core, 'Make Do / Make Space' is about people as much as it is about art, reflecting a community of artists who are not just making sculpture but actively shaping the future of how art is made, shared, and experienced.

The exhibition is supported by Hypha Curates, an online platform that enables collectors to buy with purpose. Artists receive 70% of every sale, with the rest funding free spaces for creatives across the country - turning every purchase into a direct investment in the UK's cultural ecosystem.

Artists working in sculpture are especially welcome to apply, as are those exploring related processes, inquiry, & methods across varied media.

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Nicholas Stavri is a curator, producer, and artist mentor with a strong commitment to supporting emerging artists in the research, presentation, and interpretation of their work. As a creative consultant, he advises on studio management, career development, and sustainable artistic practice. He is the co-founder of Thorp Stavri, an Advisory Group Member for Hypha Studios, a member of the Convelio Fine Art Advisory Board, and a contributor to the Gallery Climate Coalition’s Shipping Subcommittee, where he co-authored the Sustainable Shipping Campaign.

In addition to his independent practice, Nicholas is employed by a commercial gallery where he manages the organisation's operations at international art fairs, leads its sustainability strategy, and oversees the registrar and shipping departments.

Opportunity details:

Exhibition at Hypha Gallery South Bank, 42 Southwark Bridge Rd, London, SE1 9EU
Exhibition dates: 7 August - 13 September 2026
Private View: 6 August, 6-9pm

Deadline to apply: Sunday, 28 June 2026, 6pm