-Emma Murphy
Slapping jelly arses, chowing down on quail eggs and being privy to the finest rendition of Eminem’s Stan this side of the Millennium, the old East End staple Matt’s Gallery’s is finally leaving for pastures anew - South of the river.
A veritable feast as random and exhilarating as its 23-year stay in Mile End, owner Robin Klassnik did not disappoint his loyal and rowdy cohort in this final foray as an East End boy.
From art world glitterati to art student groupie, they partied hard and lubricated up into the small hours. Artists Behind Bars saw the artist as performer, the spectator become the customer and the artwork what was consumed.
Named after his – one would assume – long deceased dog, Klassnik in 1979 established Matt’s Gallery as a charity to fostering emerging and established artists. Having certainly achieved this, Klassnik has done far more besides.
Heavy hitters Jimmie Durham, Willie Doherty and Susan Hiller have shown tough, decidedly non-commercial exhibitions in his space. Outlandish and utterly spectacular displays from Lindsay Seers and Mike Nelson solidified their careers and cemented Matt’s Gallery as a staple in London’s notoriously unyielding art scene.
Moving temporarily to Bermondsey until a permanent residence opens up on the South Bank in 2020, Klassnik, and more importantly his artists, will continue to have a playground to push accepted social boundaries for the foreseeable at least.
As the art world chic descended upon Mile End one last time, raucous requests came in the form of a Preacher Man to jump into a child’s paddling pool and be reborn a follower. We are Robin's flock already, there really was no need. This closing party was a group show like no other, and exactly what our East End boy deserves as he leaves for pastures new.