Why KC Continental stores has become Geddes Gallery

How did you start a pop-up gallery in this particular location?
I’m a south London girl, but initially met a local family a few years back, while I was living in King’s Cross, who let me use their empty properties on Caledonian Road. I was working on community-based art projects and my first show was in the old Royal Thai restaurant, and featured work by a number of artists based around their experience here. 

And this led to you clapping eyes on KC Continental?
Yes. I was shown the basement below the deli around the same time: it was filled to the brim with sculptures made by the late artist Jim Geddes. He was originally from Canada but found a home in King’s Cross during the 1960s, living next door to the deli and a frequent customer. After he died in 2009, his enormous collection of ceramic sculptures was stored down there. 
 
So how did you approach the collection?
I spent the next two years alongside Bob Stuckey and Tony Rees (both local residents who had known Geddes) cleaning and cataloging each of the 300 sculptures. During this time I had been on the search for a venue to exhibit Jim’s art but everything was either too small or too expensive; it felt impossible. However, the KC Continental deli was left vacant once Mr Giordani decided to retire after 50 years. It seemed like the perfect place to show Geddes’ work. 

And it was a success?
Yes. Ever since, I’ve been running the space as a gallery. There’s a huge need for affordable spaces for artists to exhibit their work in London – it makes perfect sense to use empty shop spaces which would otherwise be vacant. 

Did you ever shop at K C Continental stores, which had occupied the spot for half a century? 
Of course. The deli also featured in a short film which was made for a previous exhibition I had organised about the area. 

So what do you like about King’s Cross?
I’ve always found the contrast between the frantic pace and the strong sense of community really fascinating. The area is obviously changing a great deal, which is why it’s so important to keep old buildings such as Geddes Gallery open. They remind us about the history of the area. 

What can we look forward to this year?
Lots more fantastic exhibitions. The space will now stay open until July, having originally meant to close at the end of March.