dialogue
Isaac Simon | Gallerist
August 2025
5 min read
South Parade grew naturally from Isaac Simon’s long proximity to art. Years of going to openings and museums led to a stint in Mexico City directing a residency, which brought real closeness to artists and studios. Opening an exhibition space felt like the next step. The ethos is community and widening who feels welcome. Reading evenings, in conversations, and artist walk throughs open dialogue and bring new people into the space.
Collaboration with artists sits at the centre. Isaac works with artists to curate and hang shows, giving time and space to develop the exhibitions they want to make, while keeping sight of the next three, five and ten years. The aim is a sustainable programme that outlasts short term fashions. Each show should reveal the depth and breadth of a practice, where material process and ideas meet. Liste at Art Basel offered presence in a key meeting place and the chance to meet new collectors and curators.
Looking ahead, South Parade stays focused on steady growth through community, long term artist development and programmes where material rigour meets fresh ideas. Thoughtful exhibitions, real conversations and a welcome that brings new audiences into the room.
Isaac Simon, South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
Let’s begin at the beginning. What was the original impulse behind founding South Parade, and what’s the story behind the name.
“It was relatively organic. Throughout my twenties, whilst not working within the art industry, there was always a proximity to it - going to openings, auction viewings and museums in my spare time. I spent some time in Mexico City where I was directing an artist residency. This was the first time I had a closeness to the artist and proximity to the studio and all that it brought with it. The natural progression was to open an exhibition space.”
Installation View: Judith Dean, New Builds / Bilds 2: did you mean peace?, South Parade, 2025. Image courtesy of the Artist and South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
If you had to summarise South Parade’s ethos, what would it be? And how has the principle evolved since you opened?
“Community is something I think about and how to engage with wider demographics across the arts, culture and literary sectors, for example. Reading evenings, in conversations, artist walk-throughs as a way to open dialogues further and ultimately, welcome new people into the space.”
Installation View: A separate place between the thought and felt, South Parade (2024). Image courtesy of the artist and South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
The relationships between artists and gallerists can take many forms. How do these dynamics unfold at South Parade, and how do you see your role in an artists long term development?
“Collaboration is key. I love curating and hanging shows alongside the artists and giving them the space and time to develop the kind of exhibition they want to make. With regards to the future, this is always in my thinking. Whilst it is essential to sell works today and tomorrow to exist, how things will potentially look in 3, 5, 10 years time, is more interesting to me. The aim is always to develop a project that is sustainable in the medium to long term and that can outlast any fashions and trends in the short term.”
Installation View: Georgina Hill, City Lights, Frieze London (2024). Image courtesy of the artist and South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
What are the key factors that shape your curatorial decisions when putting together South Parade’s programme?
“I want each show to offer an insight into the depth and breadth of an artistic practice - both formally and conceptually. There is an emphasis on materiality for sure - how works are made and the processes involved are, to me, just as important as the conceptual aspects that might underpin such work, and when these two elements intertwine is when I get excited.“
Installation View: Georgina Hill, City Lights, Frieze London (2024). Image courtesy of the artist and South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
You recently participated in Liste at Art Basel, a major moment for any young gallery. What did the experience represent for you.
“Basel is a major centre and meeting point for the industry - at the moment it feels important for the gallery to have a presence there. Fairs are very important to meeting new and prospective clients and curators.”
Andrew North, Untitled, 2023—2025. Oil on canvas, 33 x 28 cm. Image courtesy of the artist and South Parade. Photography Corey Bartle-Sanderson.
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