Gary Card takes over Plaster Store in London

Gary Card is a master world builder, creating sets, installations and alternate realities for everyone from Comme des Garçons and Dover Street Market, to Nike and Vivienne Westwood – and Wallpaper*. Now, he is bringing his gloriously playful vision to Soho with a takeover of London’s Plaster Store gallery.

Expect something ‘tactile, immersive and a little bit unhinged’ we are told before the opening, a promise Card wholeheartedly throws himself behind in a gloriously mad curation of vintage objects, books, fashion and trinkets, treading the (commonly) fine line between junk shop and art gallery. Highlights, from comics and zines from Breakdown Press and Ferry Gouw, to vintage Unified Goods and Jack Ashley pieces and 4FSB accessories, are drawn from the objects Card owns and has at his disposal. Upstairs, the juxtaposition continues with 12 busts. Part caricature, part weighty historical artefact, they flit between mediums in an enjoyable rejection of conventionality – ‘Think gonzo caricatures of my imaginary neighbours,’ says Card.

‘I like the challenge of creating something that people haven’t seen before, and I love having those opportunities arise even though they don’t come about often. But that’s the driver for me,’ adds Card. ‘When I’m sourcing ideas, I love Pinterest and I’m not ashamed to admit it! I could spend days on it, and their algorithm somehow totally understands me – it’s quite spooky. When I’m not online, something that’s a constant inspiration is stuff on the floor… my phone is full of photos of rubbish I see lying around. They make for interesting shapes which often translate into ideas around sculpture, installation, or material combinations. Those accidental compositions really appeal to me.’

Card, who has spent years creating for other brands, relishes the chance to bring his own vision to life, without compromise. ‘It’s quite vulnerable in that sense, as there’s a lot on show – but what’s real and what’s fake is up to the viewer to figure out.’