The Showroom has existed as a publicly funded gallery since 1989. It is based in the East End of London and forms part of the thriving community of galleries that includes The Approach, Chisenhale, Maureen Paley and Matt's gallery.

Emily Pethick is the current Director. She was preceded by Kirsty Ogg, Kim Sweet and David Thorp.

Kirsty Ogg worked with artists including Jim Lambie, Eva Rothschild and Claire Barclay on their first solo shows in London. Kirsty Ogg worked previously at Transmission gallery, Glasgow, the Norwich Gallery, at Norwich School of Art & Design and as a freelance curator. She is now Director of the Artist Pensions Trust (APT), London.

Kim Sweet commissioned first solo shows from now established figures such as Sam Taylor-Wood, Simon Starling and Elizabeth Wright. Kim Sweet has gone on to work as a freelance consultant and project manager.

David Thorp presented seminal new works by Mona Hatoum, Rasheed Araeen and Marc Chaimowicz. David Thorp went on to direct the South London Gallery and was the Curator of Contemporary Projects at The Henry Moore Foundation.

Under these three directors the signature aspect of The Showroom's exhibition policy - the offer of an artist's first solo show in London - was developed and refined so that the focus became the commissioning of individual artists to make new work for the space.

The Showroom's commitment to the development of individual artists' practice has always been clearly demonstrated in its programme.

The gallery is unique in the way that it works with artists. They are supported through all aspects of the commissioning process artistically, financially and administratively, while the exhibition schedule affords them the time to develop and finally realise the work on site.

The Showroom's working methods have proved to be highly effective. A solo show at the gallery has been a launch pad for many, now well known artists, including Mona Hatoum, Sam Taylor-Wood, Simon Starling, Jim Lambie, Claire Barclay and Eva Rothschild.