Science Gallery London opens to public this weekend with exhibition about addiction

A new gallery dedicated to blending art and science opens in London this week with an exhibition about addiction.

HOOKED will be the inaugural exhibition at the Science Gallery London, a new art space opening at King’s College London on September 21. The show will explore the science behind addictions - encompassing drug addiction and alcoholism, but also addictions to smart phones and gambling - featuring artist collaborations with King’s College London scientists and artworks by established artists who have explored the theme.

Artists include filmmaker Rachel Maclean who will show her 2013 work Feed Me, Turner Prize shortlisted photographer Richard Billingham and his work Tony Smoking Backwards and Olivia Locher, who presents Another Day on Earth.

Projects commissioned for the show include The Workshop by Dryden Goodwin, a 16mm film about young people reflecting on substance abuse in their communities, and Look on me and be renewed by Mark King, a series of artworks exploring behavioural patterns through abstract art.

Art collective Blast Theory also explore the notion of deriving comfort from everyday habits through the voices of young women, in a work called Short Periods of Structured Nothingness.

“Addiction and recovery is a pressing issue that affects us all,” said Head of Programming Jen Wong “HOOKED explores this in an inclusive and socially engaged way, by weaving insights from art and science into a season that invites visitors to connect with provocative new ideas and consider their own attitudes towards addiction and addictive behaviours.”

HOOKED will run at the Science Gallery London from September 21 to January 6 2019. For more information, visit london.sciencegallery.com