ART: Rhizomatic

Over in Southall, in West London, is a large industrial estate currently exhibiting some 200 works of art by just as many artists, including myself  until 12 November 2010.
 
‘Rhizomatic’ was conceived and organised by the independent curator Louise Ashcroft, a graduate of the Ruskin who runs DepARTure, a contemporary art gallery working with landlords to optimise redundant urban spaces for the purposes of art. Louise initially selected six of us to take part in the exhibition on the basis that each of us invited another six artists to show their work too. This was extended for another two generations. The exhibition was so popular that on the night of the opening I bumped into fellow artists and art-lovers that I didn’t even know were exhibiting or planning to attend, demonstrating just how well ‘Rhizomatic’ played out the idea of ‘six degrees of separation’ and how small the London art world really is.
 
Southall, where the first pub in London to accept Rupees (actually) exists, isn’t exactly the arts hub of the UK, and so it was a novel excursion for many to visit the vast 100,000 sq ft warehouse space on the Other side of London. Perhaps it was the liberal and infinite structure of invitation to exhibit, the vast space or the fact Saatchi was less likely to leave zone 1 for commuter-ville on a Friday night that gave the artists their impetus to exhibit braver experimental works, either way, there was something in the damp and cold industrial-air that generated a sense of excitement as people questioned, ‘is this the new generation’ of art?
 
The concept of the rhizome, a lateral and decentralized system of growth, is enough to inspire – giving hope to new young graduates that there is room for us all and that art can exist for its own sake – however, should you want more reason to visit, ‘Rhizomatic’ could be the breath of fresh air you need after this week’s otherwise commercial-centric art fair season.
 
‘Rhizomatic’ is on at DepARTure gallery, Southall, London, until 12 November 2010 and is open by appointment: louiseashcroft@departuregallery.com
 
Image credit: ALLY by Nicola McCartney. 2010, slide projection. © The artist.
 

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