Topolski Open Studio Talks

Polish-British artist Feliks Topolski was a prolific expressionist painter and draughtsman who spent much of his career travelling the world, creating reportage illustrations and paintings that captured some of the most pivotal moments of 20th-century history, from the horrors of World War II to the independence movements across the former British Empire.

Throughout his career, Feliks worked from an artist studio in South Bank, located in one of the railway arches below Hungerford Bridge. This historic space is now maintained as an archive and artist studio, which opens regularly for art classes, pop-up exhibitions and salon discussion evenings inspired by Feliks' lifelong dedication to creating space in his studio for artistic debate.

Upcoming open studio talks:

TUE 6 OCT, 6PM–8PM
Home, Studio, Archive: exploring Feliks Topolski's life, work & legacy
Join Archivist Cecilia Borgenstam in a conversation with Dr. Sue Breakell and Dr. Harriet Atkinson, exploring how space and materiality impact the provenance of artist archives.

Rooted in Feliks Topolski's studio, the discussion will examine how artist workspaces can function simultaneously as sites of creative production and living repositories for their own history, and look closely at why art, material, and space remain inseparable in Feliks’ legacy. Entrance is Free, but booking is essential.

THU 15 OCT, 5PM–7PM
Open Studio & New Artist Residency Launch
Taking place during Frieze 2026, this event sees the launch of a new Artist Residency, inspired by Topolski's legacy of observational artwork, championing the role of the Citizen Artist, and the artist’s eye on society.

The new resident artist Louis Pohl-Koseda will deliver a series of readings to accompany his new works completed as part of the residency and his works in progress. Entrance is Free, but booking is essential.