For 'The Garage,' Toxic Arts Embraces the Beauty in London's Grit and Grime

London-based Toxic Arts is on a mission to shake up the contemporary art experience. Helmed by Harry Barratt and Alex Isthikhar, the online gallery is trading traditional white walls for something grittier, more immersive and delightfully raw. Housed in an old industrial space, just blocks beyond London’s financial district you’ll find their latest group exhibition, The Garage, showcasing an international lineup of 20 emerging voices, each as provocative, thoughtful and electric as the next.

Much like their debut show, Public Life, which transformed the former public toilet-turned-nightclub into an exhibition space, The Garage embraces its industrial backdrop — something akin to a “disused Underground station” — as an extension of the work on display. “It’s got a really factory kind of feel to it, and with some of the artists they work with it suits them – it adds flavor to what they’re trying to say,” Isthikhar tells Hypeart.”We want to provide something that’s memorable. Something that makes people think, ‘What’s going to happen when I walk into this room?’”

From prints and paintings to experimental calligraphy, the exhibition presents an eclectic mix of styles and perspectives, unbound by a singular theme. By letting the artists take the lead, the show thrives on creative confidence, resulting in a constellation of works. “We’ve built a bit of a community now,” Isthikhar reflects — one that thrives on trusting the vision, embracing the grit and finding charm where it’s least expected.

The Garage will be on view in London from March 28 through 30.

Check out the full list of featured artists below:

Jacob Rochester
Lukas Bentel
Mila Useche
Spok Brillor
André Wendland
Nathan Hemi
Takeru Amano
Mollie Campbell
César Goce
Priest
Yutaro Inagaky
Martynas Auz
El Seed
Samah Rafiq
Jiang Fangshu
Sun Yu
P8interboi
Wade Kelly
Kevin Judge
JAK
Geke Schalkwijk

The Garage
47/49 Tanner Street,
London SE1 3PL