Back to School With Incubator Founder Angelica Jopling

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What links the writer Joan Didion with country icon Dolly Parton and sculptor-painter Anselm Kiefer? Apart from the fact they're all masters of their craft, they are also all key figures of inspiration for one young London gallerist who also happens to be the founder of Chiltern Street's newest art gallery Incubator. Her name? Angelica Jopling.

As the daughter of White Cube founder Jay Jopling, Angelica's early years meant she was immersed in an environment that fostered many emerging talents - an experience that has since helped her carve out her own definition of what success in the art world looks like. Fast forward to 2024 and the young London gallerist is eager to carry on her father's own mission in wanting to offer support for the next generation of creatives through her Chiltern Street-based gallery Incubator which, thanks to its solo show programme, showcases 12 emerging artists a year through various solo exhibitions in the summer and winter - all of which are two weeks in length.

At the heart of the specialised programme is a gallery that prides itself on championing emerging artists from all backgrounds, as proven in Incubator's past shows. But what about its future? Opening a gallery is one thing but keeping such an inspiring space open is another. Art and culture editor Christina Donoghue caught up with the young Jopling to not only find out more about Incubator, but also the advice she would give for those wanting to follow in her footsteps.

SHOWstudio: What challenges have you faced opening Incubator?

Angelica Jopling: The adrenalised rhythm of Incubator is exhilarating but also incredibly demanding, so can take a lot of stamina to sustain.

SHOWstudio: If you had to define Incubator in one sentence, what would it be?

AJ: Incubator is a nurturing space for artists to grow.

SHOWstudio: What do you look for in up-and-coming artists?

AJ: Authenticity and passion.

SHOWstudio: How do you decide on your exhibition programme?

AJ: Since the shows are back-to-back, I try to curate a programme where each artist, or rather, each show is as different from the last as possible in terms of medium, concept, background etc. This is for two reasons - one, so that those who come to Incubator week in, week out get a real sense of the extraordinary diversity of work being made by London’s emerging artists today and two, so that each artist has their own space to realise their vision without comparison.

SHOWstudio: I've read that Didion's Slouching Towards Bethlehem was a huge influence for you at 16, why?

AJ: Her critical eye translated into acerbic writing not only encouraged my own writing but also taught me not to take the world at face value, to always ask ‘why?’.

SHOWstudio: Can you also list any other inspirations key to informing you/ your identity?

AJ: Dolly Parton and Anselm Kiefer.

SHOWstudio: What would be your advice to those hoping to open their own gallery?

AJ: Build your community. I am indebted to all those who helped grow Incubator in the early stages as well as those who continue to come every week making Incubator, on a Wednesday evening, the place to be.

SHOWstudio: You've kind of grown up in the art world - how old were you when this was something you wanted to pursue?

AJ: I studied Art History at university, which was the first decision I’d made on my own terms that led me towards the position I am in today but my interests have been interdisciplinary since I was young. I’ve always had a wandering curiosity for art in all its forms as well as a desire to make an impact on issues I care deeply about, so, one of the things that excites me most about Incubator is how we’ve been able to integrate visual art with music, poetry, dance and cinema whilst also highlighting, through art, some of the most important issues of our time.