Surrender Yourself to ‘Gathering Dust,’ Gary Card’s ’90s-Inspired Ode to Creative Chaos

by

In a society that values tidiness, Gary Card reveles in disorder with a warm welcome. The latest British artist to occupy Plaster Magazine‘s London headquarters has turned the two-story retail space into a dreamlike, sculptural nightmare of sorts. This hybrid shop-exhibition is a living manifestation of Card’s inner universe and unreleased projects, brought to life through his renowned blend of grotesque allure, unabashed extravagance, and dramatic whimsy. “It’s chaos,” he told Hypeart, explaining why he finds it appealing.

Entitled “Gathering Dust“, the exhibition serves as a heartfelt tribute to ’90s London, capturing its quirks and peculiar amusement arcades. The artist reminisces about his arrival in the city and the once-dominant, cluttered Camden area – storefronts brimming with an assortment of niche treasures: MAD comics, vintage Japanese toys, adult novelties. “It’s a return to those bustling locations that I adored, a concept of being submerged in everything you cherish. You’d simply lose yourself in it completely.

The ground floor installation is saturated with a vibrant spirit, which Card refers to as an intensely claustrophobic yet enjoyable experience. His personal items, artifacts, and collectibles amassed over his long career in art and set design fill every corner of the space, leaving no inch untouched. In essence, he compares this immersive installation to a fantasy workshop inhabited by an amplified version of himself, creating oddities. Amongst the multitude of masks, paintings, figurines, and books, Card’s “Trinkets,” his ongoing series of object-portraits, make their debut for the first time.







Gears shift upstairs into a more traditional art show, as Card debuts a new series of busts. Sculpted in his signature masking-tape method, a technique he’s been perfecting since he was 12-years old, the resin-dipped rainbow of characters bring us further into the depths of Card’s psychedelic universe. Unsettling and funny at once, these figures revel in the cross-sections of cute, dark and surreal, with teeth-baring grins that pull you in and hold you tight.

For Card, who’s known for designing sets for top fashion names like JW Anderson, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lady Gaga, and FKA Twigs, the project Gathering Dust is an extension of a long-held dream to blend his two creative paths. He explains, “It feels natural and logical for me to incorporate some of those immersive, engulfing environments into my art.

Beyond the artist’s unique pieces, the show faithfully upholds its commercial-inspired essence, showcasing an array of prints, zines, clothing, and merchandise from vintage collective Unified Goods, Breakdown Press, as well as works by artists Jamie Bull (4FSB), Danny Taylor, and Ferry Gouw for purchase.

Instead of being just an exhibition, “Gathering Dust” serves as a rich and cluttered homage to memory, identity, and the exhilaration of immersing oneself in disorder. This event signifies the debut of a recurring curatorial series from a London publication, where artists are encouraged to reinterpret its Soho storefront according to their distinctive artistic perspectives.

Ever since the launch of their store this year, the founders of Plaster, Milo Astaire and Finn Constantine, have imagined the venue as a dynamic platform that empowers artists to exhibit their work in vibrant and evolving ways. As it turns out, Gary has surpassed these expectations, crafting an immersive environment that captivates visitors and invites exploration for extended periods.

Gathering Dust is now on view in London through August 9.

Plaster Store
20 Great Chapel St,
London W1F 8FW,
United Kingdom

Read More

2025-07-11 20:58