Exhibit Here: Art Maze @Bargehouse Oxo Tower Wharf

The Bargehouse at Oxo Wharf Tower is a vast, raw space right on the River Thames in London's cultural hub, the Southbank. This venue has been used for many group shows over the years, such as Roy's People's Art Fair and is spread over five floors with distinctive and varied spaces for artists to exhibit their work in. "Art Maze" is a group show curated by 'Exhibit Here' and it's founder, Leila Bibizadeh. "Art Maze" is an apt title for the show, which is housed in the many rooms at the Bargehouse, each with their own character and ambiance. 

The range of work was extensive, with immersive pieces that contrasted with the more typical wall-based pieces, though even these showed a range of art-making approaches, from the figurative to the abstract. I was particularly pleased with my spot, a large white wall which allowed me to display my large scale "Blue Haze" canvas along side to smaller framed works on paper. The work was visible from the threshold into the room and allowed for the paintings to be viewed from a distance as well as close up, which I hadn't had an opportunity to hang in previous exhibits. 

As always, art events such as these group shows brings artists together in a spirit of collaboration and it was a positive experience to extend my artist network, meeting new practitioners in different stages of their careers. For some, this was their first art experience in a large space and for others, it was an opportunity to develop their audience that stopped by as they were wandering around the Southbank. Leila had curated the work with care and it was interesting to see the relationships that she had considered when the work was originally submitted online transforming the spaces through their thematic or material dialogue. 

​I found a number of works to be compelling and enjoyed examining these in greater detail. i've curated my own selection of favourites here below in this slide show.