‘Public Life’ is a dance between the personal and the public. Presented by Toxic Arts Gallery in London’s East End, the group exhibition brings together a dozen international artists whose works encourage its viewers to reimagine the contemporary art experience.
“By using spaces with energy – places that are a little rough around the edges – we want to break down those boundaries and make the everyday viewer feel more welcome,” Toxic Arts’ Harry Barrat tells Dazed. The show’s name pays homage to the venue, Public Life nightclub, an ex-public toilet turned capsule club that rose to prominence during the mid-2000s party scene. An old home to micro-raves and untamed afters, ‘Public Life’ finds charm in the grit and grime.
Against the bright white walls of a traditional gallery space, the works of ‘Public Life’ echo a cheeky lawlessness in their medium and composition. Samuel Almansa conjures “devilish cuteness” in portraits of porcelain cherubic figures. Rosie Clements’ rave photography finds the form of UV-print on bubble wrap. From naughty Teletubbies paintings to AI-inspired metal forms, the artists of ‘Public Life’ channel deviance and whimsy in equal breath.
The show will be free to the public and open from August 23 through 25 at the former Public Life nightclub near Spitalfields Market.
Public Life
82a Commercial Street, E1 6LY
London, United Kingdom