Lorna Tiller in Conversation with OUTSIDE THE ZONE Gallery
MADE IN BED’s editor-in-chief Lorna Tiller interviews Trix Mendez, founder of OUTSIDE THE ZONE Gallery, an innovative new space for exhibiting contemporary art.
Can you please explain a little more about what OUTSIDE THE ZONE Gallery is? And why is differs from other gallery models we can see in London?
Outside the zone is a conduit for street and contemporary art. Our core believe is to create a co -creative eco system for artists, to produce artworks that enhance peoples lives.
Our gallery model adds to the traditional way of working, by taking risks with our curatorial program, and embracing a multi disciplinary approach to the artists output. We look to expand the artists audience whilst build a solid following for the projects we are curate.
Why did you found OUTSIDE THE ZONE Gallery? Did you see a gap in the market and what was this gap?
The art market takes on different forms, OTZ is more of hybrid of ideas I was experimenting with that have grown from collaborating with artist over the past couple of years that deserve a platform to be presented.
I have always been interested in the idea of transforming spaces and environment. By co-inhabiting untraditional gallery space the artworks project a unique dialogue with the audience and helps to expand the artists practice.
Can you tell us a little more about the projects you have running at the moment?
Our curatorial program includes gallery exhibitions and we run a active public art program in Shoreditch. The public art program Includes walls, billboards and spaces. Different spaces are allocated to artists to produce on site works that relate to the environment.
The program includes, large scale murals and soon will include site specific sculptures and outside performances. We worked with a theatre group for the first performance in July.
From our concept store in Soho we are planning a series of exhibitions the current show is called Feel the fear everything comes to pass. Due to covid the show was extended. New shows are planned from Sept 2020.
Exhibition View Feel the Fear, Everything Comes to Pass
Exhibition View Feel the Fear, Everything Comes to Pass
Which artists are you working with right now? Is there anybody our audiences should be keeping an eye on?
We have a wide creative platform, and collaborate with many artists. Below is a selection of artists that we feel embody the spirit of Now and that are worth following for collecting.
Dani Tagen
Subverting the norm and cross pollinating experiences.
Pampa Louzau
Creating hyper real worlds.
Vince Fraser
Special design and video art.
Aurelie Frenou
Abstract expressionism with live jazz.
Othello de Souza Hartley
A reflection on race, mental health, political and social issues.
How has COVID-19 affected your business? Have you had to pivot the business in anyway?
Covid has been positive, despite the obvious downturn in sales, which all galleries have experienced we have remained positive and have focused more with artist development and our public art program.
Would you like to pass comment on the Black Lives Matter movement and its impact upon the art world? The art world is notoriously not diverse. What do you think we can do to change this?
The gate keepers of life know how to manipulate the core fractions of society, to keep the ideology alive. Race serves to separate and control people. Through education from a young age, maybe things might pivot. Human existence is built on power and the man that has the gold controls the people. It’s more than just allowing black people into institutional art organisation. It is also the thought pattern from the artists themselves that need to change. There has to be acceptance on all levels, and a wider understanding of how rules are constructed.
Any final comments? Is there anything upcoming you would like to share with us?
We will be launching OTZ 3D immersive gallery developed with curation virtual arts late summer, that will connect artists working in different mediums. The gallery will be linked to future real world exhibitions and events.
Thank you Trix, it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Lorna Tiller,
MADE IN BED Editor-in-Chief