Please note: due to unforeseen circumstances, the dates have changed.

VIRAL

A Retrospective Exhibition

PRIVATE VIEW INVITATION
New date: Thursday, June 20^th, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
St Michael + All Angels, 74-76 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4QS

You are cordially invited to attend the Private View of VIRAL, a retrospective collection of Noj Barker’s artwork, at St Michael + All Angels Church in Shoreditch.

For our international followers and those who cannot attend in person, we will be hosting an online exhibition. More details will be shared soon.

Press Release

Noj Barker, renowned for his mesmerising dot paintings and viral Instagram success, is set to launch an immersive exhibition that underscores the importance of maintaining in-person art experiences. Working in tandem with an organisation dedicated to transforming dormant spaces into vibrant community hubs, Noj will be the inaugural artist in their latest revamped space, the historic St Michael + All Angels Church in Shoreditch.

Entitled “VIRAL”, the exhibition will present a retrospective collection of Noj’s work, representing his largest display to date. Noj will be live-streaming dot painting sessions, allowing his followers to watch him work in real time. Live piano concerts, and appearances by family members - familiar faces from his Instagram content - allow fans to connect with all their favourite characters in real life.

"While my art has taken off online and reached audiences worldwide, there's no replacement for experiencing art in person. I believe it's essential for artists to continue utilising physical spaces. Initiatives like St Michael’s circumvent the need for seeking gallery approval and make exhibiting as an emerging artist more accessible than ever," says Noj.

Consisting of hundreds of thousands of meticulously placed dots, each painting takes many hours of intense focus made possible through Noj’s meditative and trance-like process. Described as “hypnotic”, “addictive”, and even “insane” by enthusiastic commenters, Noj’s captivating Instagram Reels have shaken the contemporary art space, attracting more than a hundred million views and the attention of major publications such as The Times and The Daily Mail, both of which featured in-depth articles about his work.

“Much like a connect-the-dots game we used to play with as children, my work encourages a level of audience participation. The brain’s propensity to see faces and patterns draws viewers into a dotty landscape where they project their own thoughts and creations. From the deeply personal and profound to seeing nothing at all, everyone has a unique experience which is something I enjoy very much,” says Noj.

Having recently acquired the venue, St Michael’s believes that Noj’s ethos perfectly embodies its mission of revitalising dormant spaces and fostering meaningful connections within the community.

"Noj Barker's ambition to bring his online audience into real-world art experiences is exactly what we strive to facilitate. We believe that physical spaces where people can gather, connect, and engage with art are essential for community vitality," says David, Special Projects Manager at St Michael’s.

Exhibition Details

Private View

Date and Time: Thursday, June 20th, 2024, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: St Michael + All Angels, 74-76 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4QS
Admission: Free

RSVP: [email protected]

Press Day

Noj Barker will also be available by appointment on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Location: St Michael + All Angels, 74-76 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4QS

Appointments: [email protected] 

Exhibition

From 21st June – 18th August
Open daily*

Noj Barker can be made available for interview.

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

*opening times are subject to events, please see www.stmichaels.london or email [email protected] for an up-to-date calendar and information.