On 29 November an exhibition called Magic Garden was held at the Rubbish and Nasty shop on New Cross Road. The shop was born when Sophie Soni and some of her friends squatted it five years ago, in the summer after her first year at St Martins. Today it is run by Sophie, AKA Rubbish Fairy and Ian, AKA Nasty McQuaid.

The shop is a creative hub of raw energy that welcomes and attracts all kinds of artists. During the last few years it has been the home, studio and gallery of Rubbish Fairy and is a constantly changing art installation. It has evolved and grown with her. Sophie sees the shop as a three-dimensional sketchbook.

Rubbish Fairy and Nasty McQuaid inside the shop

In the meantime, Ian has been using it as a place to sell records and rare music. Rubbish and Nasty has been host to a number of exciting and varied art and music events, including Wrong Music and The Glue Rooms. The saying ‘anything goes’ is synonymous with the shop and epitomises its aesthetic. There is always something going off - recently Sophie has been preparing for her trip to Spain where she will be showcasing some of her collection.

From the outside

The atmosphere at the Magic Garden exhibition was intoxicating. Despite it turning into a mad party the artwork was always respected. The shop is definitely worth paying a visit, especially as it looks as though they will be evicted in the New Year. However, no need to worry just yet as they want to cram in as much creative noise and energy as they can before they leave.

Magic Garden revellers

Rest assured that there will be a big party to bid them a fond farewell, so keep an eye out on their Myspace for what’s going on. House of Doll in East London will be the new art performance space and studio for Rubbish Fairy in the New Year, so will be worth looking out for. Nasty McQuaid will also be carrying on with his Monthly night Stop Making Sense at the Amersham Arms. The passion and hard work of Rubbish Fairy and Nasty McQuaid is an inspiration to any artist in allowing their creative vision to take form.

More Magic Garden

All these people were involved in the Magic Garden exhibition:

Rubbish Fairy, Dj Nasty McQuaid, Ed Cox, Le Couteau Jaune, Dj Tendraw, Hector De Gregorio, Ruby blues, Celia Arias, Kristen Lovelock, Rai Royal, Martin Sage, Gypsyclowns, Hooligan Nights, Rubbish Fairy, Dj Nasty McQuaid, Ed Cox, Le Couteau Jaune, Dj Tendraw, Ruby blues, Celia, Arias, Kristen Lovelock, Rai Royal, Martin Sage, Gypsyclowns, Hooligan Nights

Photography by Brenda Goodchild