Former Outback Steakhouse becomes Art House in Romford

Some of the artwork on display at the exhibition

Ian Weinfass, Senior reporter Tuesday, January 22, 2013
11:00 AM

Feast your eyes on this lot.

Some of the artwork on display at the exhibition

Rather than leaving the site of a former restaurant empty, a temporary art project with a youthful flavour has been installed.

The former Outback Steakhouse, in The Brewery shopping centre, Romford, is now the Outback Art House.

Launched on Thursday of last week, the exhibition has been set up by the Romford Contemporary Arts Programme (RCAP), a Havering Council funded scheme.

Founded in February 2012 RCAP has previously taken over some shops, but this is its biggest project so far.

Nyta Nkansah-Nyarko, 18, from Dagenham; Terrel Wilson, 18, from Dagenham and Ajay Pabial, 18, from Goodmayes.

Students from both Havering Sixth Form College and Havering College of Further and Higher Education, as well as local artists are taking part in the exhibition.

Curator Sarah Walters said: “The launch on Thursday was amazing, we had over 350 people there.

“We had performance artists, dressed as waiters, guiding people around the space.

“I think one of our challenges is to introduce to people in the area to the idea that an art space doesn’t have to be a white cube.”

Some of the artwork on display at the exhibition

She added: “We worked with the students to help them use the spaces for their art rather than just plonking art in that space.”

Nyta Nkansah-Nyarko, 18, from Dagenham, is one of the Havering College students taking part. She said: “I am enjoying this so much because it is a real project. You are working as a group but also on your own to make your own installation.”

Alex Bolton, 18, from Romford said: “Seeing how other people work inspires you more. It is a big project and exciting to exhibit in a place that has loads of different objects to work with.”

The exhibition runs until February 16, Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm, and selected evenings.

For more information visit outbackarthouse.tumblr.com.

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