Tintype is a fiercely independent contemporary art gallery that spent a decade (2010–2020) carving out a reputation for artistic innovation and integrity in West Smithfield, before transitioning to an online-only presence. Founded by Teresa Grimes and Pat Treasure, it had a knack for embedding itself in London's small trades and businesses — moving from a converted furriers in Shoreditch to Hatton Garden and finally to St Cross Street, always maintaining an artist-led programme of exhibitions, talks, performances, and workshops. The gallery's name nods to the tintype photographic process, and its curatorial spirit always favoured bold experimentation over commercial safe bets.
A fiercely independent artist-led gallery that spent a decade championing experimental contemporary art in West Smithfield before going online-only — integrity over spectacle.
Check the website before visiting — Tintype has transitioned to online-only, so physical exhibitions at St Cross Street are no longer regularly scheduled.
Artist-led integrity in West Smithfield
Tintype was never the kind of gallery that chased the spotlight, and that's exactly what made it special. For ten years, Teresa Grimes ran this intimate space on St Cross Street with a curatorial eye that prioritised artistic integrity over market trends — a rarity in a London art scene increasingly dominated by commercial blockbusters. The programme was artist-led, meaning you'd often encounter work that felt genuinely experimental rather than safely packaged, and the annual project space gave one artist each year the freedom to take real risks.
The gallery's location in West Smithfield — near Hatton Garden's jewellery quarter — gave it a distinctive character. It had what the founders described as an "osmotic relationship with London's small trades and businesses," and you could feel that in the stripped-back, no-frills atmosphere. Visits during exhibitions (Wed–Fri, 11am onwards) were typically quiet affairs, giving you space to actually engage with the work rather than navigate crowds. The talks and performance events were where Tintype really came alive though — intimate gatherings where you could have a genuine conversation with the artists.
Since 2020, Tintype has operated online-only, which is a loss for the physical gallery landscape but consistent with its independent spirit. The Google reviews, while few, are unanimously glowing (a perfect 5.0), with visitors praising the personal experience — one reviewer specifically highlighted their experience with James. If you're interested in UK contemporary art that doesn't come with a Tate Modern price tag of self-importance, Tintype's archive and online programme remain worth following.