Outside the Zone is an art agency in London. Founded with the intention of exhibiting new and emerging artists. They’ve been curating public art predominantly around the Shoreditch area since 2017. Operating as a nomad gallery they re-purpose space and produce pop up art experiences.
In particular Outside the Zone have become known for the managing of some of the key street art walls in the area. Partnering with places such as the Hoxton, Stella Dore, Underdog and Secret Art Galleries they also work directly with artists to give an extra platform to their work. Over the past 4 years Outside the Zone has supported over 50 pieces of street and public art.
Trix Mendez is the man behind Outside the Zone. A social entrepreneur he has been supporting the platforms growth since the beginning. Curating the art spaces and working with the artists to produce the final work. The end result has been a steady stream of art across areas including Old Street, Shoreditch and the Kingsland Road.
10 Defining Moments from Outside the Zone
Such is the volume of work over the years choosing art that reflects what Outside the Zone is all about has not been easy. The pieces below are presented in no particular order but they give a sense of the type of curation which Outside the Zone has been supporting. Chosen by Trix Mendez the list features a cross section of some of the agencies most impactful pieces since 2017.
Aureielle Freoua – Mysterio
Dereham Place – Mural and Live Performance – June 2018
The artist (Aureielle Freoua) was on a quest to produce a mural that made people dance. The artwork made the street come alive, and was the first OTZ public art project that included a live performance as well as a physical mural.
Trix Mendez
Elle Bareanus – This is Real
Batemans Row – Mural – March 2019
The artist (Elle Bareanus) produced a staggering mural both height and style that utilised both street and contemporary practices. The subject matter was powerful, assisted by the size of the work
Trix Mendez
Pablo Alison – Migrantes Valientes (Brave Migrants)
Dereham Place – Mural – October 2019
A photographer and graffiti artist, Pablo Alison has spent much of his life in Mexico. Working on the Mexican Migrant Trails he has been imprisoned, robbed and held at gunpoint. Though he has always remained committed to his art. Working with the Stella Dore Gallery he has been bringing his message to London. The mural on Dereham Place features words which represent the experiences of migrants who are often fleeing persecution.
Lucy Flynn – Vox Billboard Project
Crooked Billet Project Space – Nov 2019
I met Lucy during the original Dragon Bar days with Ben Eine and many early street artists. Many years later we re-connected through the Stella Dore Gallery. Her artwork was stolen from the wall along with David Buonaguidi’s ‘The Snack Collective’. In honour of the art heist, Dave placed the phrase “Oi can we have our art work back”. This is still on the wall over a year later. The original artwork was never retrieved but the spirit of the artists stolen artwork lives on.
Air Pangea x Tishky
Kachette Billboards – Sept 2020
Stylist Leila Afghan approached Outside the Zone for a sustainable project with her brand Air Pangea. Teaming up with the artist Tishky Birzanka the artist produced some eye catching artwork.
Kwerk – Inside the Reality Within
EXLAB & Rage Stage – March 2021
A project in three parts and situated in 3 different Outside the Zone locations. The project included a live art performance, mural and an installation at EXLAB. The artist mixed abstraction and street art, exploring the relationship between accidental artworks whilst mixing documentary and fictional realities
Mr Doodle & Shem – Rock, Paper, Wizard
Dereham Place – Mural – April 2021
A dynamic mural from the popular Mr Doodle and future star Shem. The piece was a collaboration with Hoxton Gallery and produced during the lockdown in April 2021. The wall is a testament to the world we were living in.
Gwendolyn Kassernaar
Dereham Place & EXLAB – Residency – April 2021
The first Outside the Zone artist residency project taking place at two locations, Derham Place and EXLAB the OTZ concept space. The work included live painting, dance, improvised music and live streamed spherical improvisation. It was a project which sought to push beyond the physical into the digital realm
Mervyn Penrose – Standing Figures
Dereham Place – Large Scale Paste Up – June 2021
An art and fashion living legend, now aged 71. Mervyn’s super sized people created a giant scenario which questioned the idea of space and identity. The project grew from a single doorway in Shoreditch. Re-using spaces that exist by planting towering pictures of people encroaching public spaces.
Jwolf – Take Your Medicine, part 3
Dereham Place – Mural – July 2021
The artist stepped into the surreal computer enhanced world on a large scale. The large scale mural is both comical and dark, injected with 90’s computer graphics. As we edge out of lock down, it’s the artwork you didn’t know existed that you need in your life.
Contact Outside the Zone
e – info@outsidethezonegallery.com
ig – @outsidethe_zone
www.outsidethezonegallery.com
Gallery partner www.shoreditch.com
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