Edwina Orr (MA Royal College of Art) is an artist, holographer, inventor, gallerist and curator whose work has bridged fine art, holography, patented autostereoscopic 3D displays and cultural production for more than four decades. In 1997, Orr completed the conversion of a derelict Neo-Gothic property into the ‘291 Gallery’, a contemporary multimedia fine-art gallery with a separate restaurant and bar in Shoreditch, London, UK. Orr was sole founder and director of 291 Gallery, and she opened the gallery to the public in 1998.

Orr’s artistic practice spans large-scale sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, holography including holographic pulse-laser technology, performance and film. As an independent holographer, she continues to pursue innovative pulse-laser holographic R&D within a fine-art context.

The building was a former Neo-Gothic church complex at 291 Hackney Road, Shoreditch, built in 1864 and designed by architect Henry Woodyer. After the church closed in 1960, the London Borough of Hackney took a 99-year lease on the complex, but it fell into dereliction under their ownership and was later placed on the “Buildings at Risk” Register. In 1993, Edwina Orr bid to purchase the building from Hackney, recognising its potential as a cultural venue. Following deconsecration and obtaining of planning approvals, an extensive restoration programme began, the former derelict church, was transformed into a major contemporary art gallery, the “291 Gallery” including a restaurant and bar, the vicarage was converted into four flats and the hall was modernised and refurbished and used for holographic R&D.

The large derelict Neo Gothic property complex was purchased in 1993. Following deconsecration in 1994 and the obtaining of planning consents, a major restoration and conversion building programme commenced in 1995. By 1997, the derelict church complex had been transformed into a contemporary art gallery and the “291 Gallery” was opened to the public in 1998. The complex also included a derelict vicarage which was converted into four flats and a large 1926 hall which was modernised and refurbished. Faced with limited funding, Edwina Orr personally managed the building project, working closely with English Heritage (EH), Hackney Conservation and Listed Building specialists and a team of skilled crafts people to ensure the building’s historic character was preserved. The conversion of the derelict property into the 291 Gallery and its associated adjoining properties was cited by English Heritage as an exemplary restoration project.

When all the building conversion works were completed in 1998, Edwina Orr founded and opened the “291 Gallery”. She named the gallery not only to reflect its actual address i.e. 291 Hackney Road, Shoreditch, London but also to pay homage to the original “291” set up by Alfred Stieglitz in 291 Fifth Avenue, New York in 1905.

Orr’s ethos for the gallery was to provide a platform for new and emerging artists alongside well-established practitioners. Its programme championed experimentation and interdisciplinary practice across painting, performance art, installation, film, music, dance and cabaret, while creating a social nucleus for conceptual engagement within diverse arts communities. Through this breadth of exhibitions and events, the gallery quickly became a respected cultural hub within London’s creative community.

The 291 Bar was an integral part of the gallery’s identity, occupying the atmospheric Neo Gothic beamed north wing as well as occasionally extending into the vaulted spaces of the gallery and serving as a lively social and cultural hub for artists, audiences and the local community. It offered affordable food and drink, a large beer garden (adjacent to Haggerston Park and opposite the City Farm), and a programme of regular events including art film screenings, live music, visual projections, spoken word performances and cabaret.

The 291 Restaurant was an intimate dining space within the 291 Gallery, seating around 50 guests in a striking cultural setting. It served modern European cuisine with international influences, offering seasonal à la carte and set menus. The restaurant also hosted private dining and catered for larger events, exhibitions, and receptions across the gallery. Blending creative food with historic architecture, it provided a memorable experience for both everyday diners and special occasions.