“We’d been showing work for months — but barely anyone knew we existed.”
Sinkspace Collective is a DIY art gallery tucked inside an old shipping container behind a car park in Salford. It’s run by a rotating group of local artists who curate raw, emotional, and politically honest exhibitions — all on a shoestring budget and word-of-mouth alone.
“We’re not a polished white-walled gallery. People sometimes walk right past us without realising anything’s even inside.”
That changed after Hidden Manchester featured Sinkspace as part of our “Artist-Run Corners” spotlight — showcasing three independent galleries doing things their own way. We included a few snaps from their opening night and some quotes from artists exhibiting at the time.
The effect was instant.
“The weekend after your post went live, we had a queue outside. I thought it was a coincidence until I started overhearing people say they found us through the write-up.”
For the first time, the team at Sinkspace had a fully packed show — with a crowd that included art students, passersby, even a few art critics. It’s not just about numbers, though. It was the right crowd — the kind who respected the space, stayed for hours, and came back with friends.
“You gave us credibility without changing who we are.”
Since that show, Sinkspace has added more lighting, built a mailing list, and is working on a residency project. The collective’s ethos hasn’t shifted — they’re still underground, rough around the edges, and proudly hard to find. But now, people are finding them.
Know a space like Sinkspace that deserves a full house?
Tell us about it via Submit a Spot. We’d love to shine the light next.
