Halloween show set for Holloway’s historic clocktower

Eleanor Pearce (Image: Archant)

The Cally Clocktower, in Caledonian Park, will be the setting for Totem – a spine-tingling, high rise exhibition using all seven floors of the 19th century structure.

Visitors will wander through the 43 metre-high tower, off Market Road, surrounded by disturbing images of birds, animals and mysterious figures - including live exhibits by the artist behind the show, Eleanor Pearce.

Ms Pearce said: “Islington’s Cally Clocktower is an amazing and inspirational setting for contemporary art.

“I am incredibly excited to be bringing new audiences to this unique space which has been closed to the public for 75 years.”

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing said: “We are delighted that Eleanor Pearce’s contemporary live art show is bringing some quirky culture to Islington this Halloween.

“I can’t think of a more suitable location for this art show on the meaning of time than our very own Cally Clocktower.

“It is another step in the journey to creating a permanent new art space, visitor attraction and museum at this previously hidden gem.”

An audacious £125,000 plan to renovate the historic clock tower, a Grade-II listed relic of the London’s industrial heritage, and re-open it as a visitor attraction is currently underway.

Built in 1855, it was the centrepiece of the former Metropolitan Cattle Market which kept London fed until the 1940s and was last open to the public 75 years ago.

Totem, which runs for four consecutive nights from October 30 to November 2, is part of Islington Exhibits, a month long arts festival that unlocks the hidden venues of Islington creating space for local artists and crafts people to display their work.

For more information, visit www.eleanorpearce.co.uk