Photography Mark | Montcalm East

point, shoot, click

During the 1980s and 90s, East London embarked on a thrilling creative renaissance. Lured here by the promise of cheap rents, a new generation of artists and photographers reclaimed the area’s abandoned factories and warehouses, repurposing them as studios for work and life. A unique, bohemian spirit has defined this patch of the city ever since.

We’re on a mission to keep this creative pulse alive in the neighbourhood, so it’s our pleasure to showcase a gallery’s worth of iconic British photography. This includes our permanent collection and rotating exhibitions in our reading room and mezzanine lounge space. Our bar and restaurant is decorated with black-and-white London street photography, taken by rising stars such as Amelia Shelbourne, Sabela Peinado, Brunel Johnson and Nico Froehlich.

If you’ve been inspired by the photography on display, you can create your own shots with our Photo Lab experience. Forget relying on your phone camera; here, we are reviving the art of point and shoot. Click away and capture your favourite Montcalm East moments – or venture further afield with a local shutterbug, who will help you with that money shot.

More than just a hotel, Montcalm East is a creative hub, showcasing an array of London-made artworks, carefully curated by Culture A. Textured, collage-style prints hang in rooms and communal spaces: a tribute to the weathered, peeling street posters that decorate Shoreditch’s graffitied walls.

Other highlights include a street-art-inspired textile by London-based print artist Lisa King, a large-scale, hand-painted illustrative mural by Hackney-resident, Carlos Penalver, and collaborations with partners such as Ravensbourne, University of London and Proud Gallery. Get the down-low on our artworks via nifty QR codes, which cameo as modern art labels. The cultural kicks continue in our erudite reading room, stocked with brilliant books from Hoxton Mini Press, plus a bunch of trendsetting city zines.

Sabela Peinado

Carlos Penalver

HDBR

LISA KING

Proud Galleries

Amelia Shelbourne

Ravensbourne University London

Brunel Johnson

Montcalm East x Ravensbourne

Kristina Balevska Photographer in residence

Montcalm East are delighted to announce their latest photographer in residence, Kristina Balevska. The ongoing Photographer in Residence in collaboration with Ravensbourne University, provides emerging artists with full use of the permanent studio space to develop their portfolio and showcase their work whilst also hosting masterclasses for members of the public to develop different photography skills.

Kristina graduated from Ravensbourne 2023. She applied for the Montcalm Photographer in Residence during her final year and will take up her residency from July to September. She discovered her love of photography in her teens and has a passion for producing ethereal, Renaissance-inspired pieces that play on an underwater theme. As part of her residency, and in addition to the three workshops she has conceived and developed, she plans to use Montcalm East’s extensive spa facilities and swimming pool to continue to create underwater images.

Reserve your spot now for an unforgettable experience that will transform the way you see and create art. Limited seats available!

Join us at Montcalm East Hotel for a day of discovery, creativity, and inspiration. Let go of the ordinary and dive into the extraordinary world of experimental photography with Kristina. We can’t wait to see you there!

To find out more about her masterclasses click the button below. For more information on the drop in sessions, you can contact our team on hello@montcalmeast.com.

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