The tunnels near Waterloo station provide an ominous setting, where the rumble of trains overhead only adds to the atmosphere of the venue. We've seen it play host to a zombie invasion and, in 'Bedlam', one of our favourite art exhibitions last year.
Black Rat Projects has taken over another archway and filled it with both the individual and collaborative works of two of their signature artists, Giles Walker and Candice Tripp. Tripp has many of her vivid paintings on show. They resemble a dark fairytale where children in masks loiter with only bad intentions in mind.
Giles Walker, meanwhile, creates little bird-men sculptures in various poses. Sometimes they are innocuous, perhaps commuting on the underground or putting up a billboard. Other times they are quite disturbing, with scenes of domestic abuse and alcoholism.
The true stars of these shows are where the two artists have collaborated, and the kinetic sculptures. On entering the gallery, mannequins in overcoats sway in time to creepy music while further inside two decapitated corpses hang from the ceiling, writhing as if in the throes of death.
Most disturbing are the sacks hanging from the ceiling that bulge as if some small child inside is trying to get out and a mother with a lampshade for a head rocking a pram, which is draped in a Union Jack, back and forth while she holds a pair of scissors. They both hint at something sinister while still hiding the true horror from visitors.
This is a fantastically creepy and darkly atmospheric exhibition. We loved it. The show's only on for two weeks so you'll have to be quick if you want to catch it.
I'm never shopping here again by Black Rat Projects is on at 137-139 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AE until 12 December. Entrance is free.
