Guts Gallery

“A gallery run by a bartender?” someone scoffed. “What could they possibly know about art?” That’s how the whispers started about Guts Gallery. And Ell Pennick, the founder of Guts Gallery, heard them all. Pennick, a working-class, queer Northerner, wasn’t supposed to belong in the London art world. But here they were, in Hackney, East London, turning the traditional gallery model on its head. Guts Gallery champions the next generation of artists, specifically those from underrepresented backgrounds. Pennick’s vision, born out of frustration with the elitist art world, was to create a space where artists weren’t commodities, but collaborators. Guts Gallery operates with a radical transparency, a “code of conduct” co-created with the artists. This code dictates everything from staff wages (above minimum wage) to artist commissions (above the industry standard of 50%). Pennick’s journey began in a South London pub. Pennick worked behind the bar, lived upstairs, and used the function room for exhibitions. Rejected from the Royal College of Art due to lack of funding, Pennick channeled their frustration into Guts Gallery, a nomadic enterprise initially operating in borrowed spaces. The gallery’s name, like many of its decisions, was decided by committee – a vibrant Instagram DM group of artists and the gallery’s bookkeeper. Sadie Coles, a prominent Soho gallerist, recognized Pennick’s drive and provided crucial start-up funding. This support, along with encouragement from a tech entrepreneur mentor, propelled Guts Gallery towards a permanent space in Hackney. Guts Gallery champions artists like Elsa Rouy, known for her grotesque nudes, and London-based Nigerian artist Jamiu Agboke. The gallery’s ethos permeates every aspect of its operation. There are no contracts unless requested, commissions are negotiated individually, and even external HR support is provided for the small staff. Pennick’s unconventional approach extends to collectors, many of whom feel overlooked by larger galleries. These collectors, Pennick notes, are eager to support Guts Gallery’s vision of a more equitable art world. The journey hasn’t been without challenges. The stress of the auction world, for example, is a concern Pennick hopes to address. But one thing is certain: Guts Gallery, with its defiant spirit and commitment to change, continues to disrupt the art world, one brushstroke at a time.