Auto Italia South East

Auto Italia South East began in two thousand and seven when a group of artists occupied a squatted car garage in Peckham. This unconventional origin set the tone for the organization, which has spent nearly two decades questioning how artists can work together outside of traditional institutional structures. By shifting between donated industrial buildings, warehouses, and commercial units across London, the collective evolved from a grassroots project into a recognized leader in artist-led institution building. The space functions as both a studio and a laboratory for experimental practice. It focuses heavily on the intersections of queer studies, social change, and contemporary art. Rather than simply displaying finished pieces, the organization commissions new work that often involves deep collaboration, research, and live performance. By prioritizing process over product, the group provides a framework where artists can test new formats for production that challenge standard gallery models. The current location on Bonner Road serves as a hub for this ongoing work. While the site is a destination for critical discourse and exhibitions, it also operates as an active participant in its immediate surroundings. The organization runs programs specifically designed to support young people in the area, offering workshops and mentoring that connect local residents with the wider world of contemporary art. This dedication to community engagement ensures that while the organization maintains an international reach, it remains firmly rooted in the local neighborhood.