Ever changing activity here as nine artists collaborate over time, keeping this space abuzz. An unusual show then, as it demands you return. Worth it too.

Throughout the run, painting, projections, and performance spawned from recent urban culture will appear. The styles and gumption of graffiti, the morphed figuration of anime, the hotch-potch of design. Fast, carefree, bolshie? The shock for some visitors will lie in the polished, professional, 'fine art' presentation. While the down-by-law kudos and downright decent quality will satisfy many.

The aforementioned all hail from the Asian, African or Caribbean diaspora. Lest we forget, umbrella terms - e.g. Asia includes Japan from where two of the nine hail: Tak and Yuko. Tags or not, the names reveal much.

The entire list reads like a roll-call for So Solid Crew: Dreph, Prime, Mac One, etc. Such alter egos are a natural impulse for those who must establish their own credentials, in their own words. Like the graf’ writers of the ‘70s (Taki 123 and beyond). Indeed, echoing that ‘other’ history, there’s a Juice 126 showing here.

Plus, pseudonyms (with their whiff of subterfuge) remind us that the forebears of these kinfolk were kept from recognition in the cultural sphere.

Clear the way for this bunch. They're going the whole nine yards.

Inner Space is at Zion Arts Centre, to 11 July.

Tweet