Arts & Culture
On The Wall presents: Mike Lewis at Darkroom Espresso

Seeing various artworks exhibited around coffee shop Darkroom Espresso, Swindon, isn’t something particularly new. What is new is the latest initiative to display monthly free art exhibitions which provide artists with a platform.

On The Wall is a collaboration between Rich Franklin (pictured above/co-founder of Most Hiii) and Stefan Pysanczyn (co-founder of Anarchy Soirée), whose aim is to promote and and showcase art work in a range of mediums for free.

[caption id=“attachment_35283” align=“aligncenter” width=“477”] ©Nevaeh Franklin[/caption]

Rich explained: “I come from a clothing background with my range Most Hiii, I’ve been friends with Stefan for a long time - he’s from a primarily artistic background - but we’ve both run events.

“I’ve been organising grime nights since I was 14, and other events at the local youth centre, and back then Swindon didn’t really have an art culture. There weren’t many options five years ago, - you’d either stay in, or you’d go out - now I’d love there to be too many options as it’s something that Swindon needs because people always say ‘nothing’s going on here’ and that’s not the case.”

[caption id=“attachment_35284” align=“aligncenter” width=“518”] ©Calyx Picture Agency[/caption]

Growing up in Swindon myself I completely understand where Rich is coming from, but over the last few months, we agreed, there is a small undercurrent picking up in this town.

Talking with Rich his motives are very simple, it’s executing the projects that has been most challenging. With that in mind he explained that the response from artists towards these exhibitions has been incredibly positive, it’s been finding venue owners that share the same ideals which seems to be a reoccurring problem. That’s where Darkroom comes in.

[caption id=“attachment_35301” align=“aligncenter” width=“397”] ©Calyx Picture Agency[/caption]

He continued: “On The Wall wants to give people a platform, so every month we’re looking to exhibit an artist’s work in Darkroom and hopefully bring some like-minded people together - we also wanted to use a less conventional venue. People in London will put on an event anywhere, and it works. With Swindon we’ve had a few issues with being able to afford venues and find a permanent space, and Will’s (Darkroom Espresso owner) given that to us.”

[caption id=“attachment_35302” align=“aligncenter” width=“526”] ©Calyx Picture Agency[/caption]

On The Wall’s first event is exhibiting Swindon artist Mike Lewis’ work, which will be on until the end of the month. When asking how they came to choose Mike the answer was quite simple, “we started with a favourite, and a friend.” Should you venture into Darkroom the coffee shop almost lends itself to exhibitions - the white walls are incredibly versatile and parallel the same set up as a gallery space. Lewis’ work is displayed on various canvases around Darkroom, showcasing what I would describe as a fusion between pop art and Train Graffiti - some of it looks quite industrial but also has clean and illustrative finishes. It may sound clichéd, but with a lot of Lewis’s work the more you look the more you will see. It’s really impressive, and a great alternative to people watching.

[caption id=“attachment_35300” align=“aligncenter” width=“460”] ©Calyx Picture Agency[/caption]

The guys behind On The Wall have bigger plans though, and are more than open to looking further afield for artists wanting to showcase their work. Rich explained how they’re trying to make their project as open as possible to engage and collaborate with other artists, as opposed to having an exclusive, almost elitist, art group - that isn’t what On The Wall is about.

To find out more about On The Wall contact them via Instagram @on_the_wall_events / @titch171 / @s.t.f.n.p.y.s 

Or visit Darkroom Espresso: 11 Faringdon Rd, Swindon SN1 5AR