​Are Friends Electric – Studies in Neon
The exhibition that never was now is
21-27 June 2021
Private View: Thurs 24 June 6-9pm

​In 2019 Print artists Ricardo Corte and Jonathan Lawes scouted Instagram to find kindred spirits they could bring together for a group show themed loosely though the use of bold, neon, fluorescent colour schemes. In selecting on the work not the names they were able to gather a diverse collection of 13 strangers, some established artists some brand new. 
Their work the only judging factor. Getting them all to contribute, communicate and collaborate was no mean achievement but it happened with Instagram and WhatsApp taking the strain. 

The exhibition was planned for March 2020. A lot of the artists due to meet for the first-time face to face, and then Covid happened. Like everything else in the world, the exhibition was cancelled *in literally the first week of the first ever lockdown. 

The exhibition was up but the doors were locked, when they reopened in the summer the schedule of the gallery was adjusted and Are Friends Electric removed. The show that never really happened. 

If you have an exhibition that nobody sees did it happen? It did but didn’t, you get it yeah?

Fast forward – the year passes, lockdowns come and go, and the exhibition which had been given up on has now been resurrected, a second life presented to it by the Espacio Gallery.
​
Also a serendipitous twist of fate the timing of the exhibition will coincide with the UK returning to normality (if you believe the current government) the exhibition neatly  bookending covid in the UK.

So, Are Friends Electric is back for 2021 with a few line-up changes, a lot has happened over the last 12 months but the neon show must go on.

 The new roster still includes:
@amy_gardner_artist_  @mistermarcjones  @iamcyanblue
@jonathanlawes  @montezmakes  @vpattersongraphicarts
@sonofafoxx  @keldastorm  @art_by_villain with the excellent new additions of @donklondon  @oli.fowlerart &  @mew.welch 

There will be wall to wall colour, fluro and neon to melt your eyes and warm your hands. It’s gonna be a bright summer, best wear your shades 
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat 1-7pm
Sun 1-5pm

Coming next:

the playful turn
A multi media exhibition exploring artistic perspectives on play and playfulness
29 June - 4 July

Full of hands-on, participative works: absurdist games, mischievous interventions, kitch assemblages, comic expositions and playful videos it invites visitors to immerse themselves in the exhilarating spirit of play that uplifts our lives beyond mud-bound existence.
 
Mingling anarchic and frequently absurd experiences with playful treatment of serious subjects, the exhibition asks visitors to consider the multifarious ways in which play and playfulness enriches our lives and gives it value.

Participating artists:
Moich Abrahams, Ellen Adams, Andrea Arnold, Ryan Asbury,
Liana Bortolozzo, Lizzie Brown, Alicia Corbett, Shona Davies,
Sally de Coursey, David Dunnico, Kun Fang, Ahmed Farooqui,
Rosina Godwin, Tom Hackett, Vinay Hathi, Catherine Jacobs,
SR Jimmy, Bharati Kapadia, Jonathan Kelham, Jon Klein,
Christina Lovey, ManosBuckius Cooperatve, David Monaghan,
Jenny Nash, Paddy O'Donnell, Marta Pieregonczuk, Point and Place,
Sylvain Souklaye, Agnieszka Synak, Thirtyminutes, Cally Trench,
Shahar Tutchner, Frances Willoughby, Ben Wilson,
Julian Woodcock, Hyunsun Yoo.

Curated by Ahmed Farooqui & Degrees of Freedom

Opening hours:
Tue-Sat 3-7pm
Sun 1-5pm