What can I say — it’s been a blast. I’ve never stepped into a place quite as intriguing, brilliantly bonkers, and downright unique as Emporium on the Square. From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by treasures from yesteryear. Big, small, pricey, or pocket change — there’s something for absolutely everyone. If you haven’t been yet, grab the family and get lost in the beautiful chaos of it all.
So when the opportunity came up to host my first exhibition there, I jumped at it. Coming off the “?” debacle, having a proper space to showcase my work felt incredible — a chance to show the real art up close and personal. One big wall where my creative madness could sit proudly beside Emporium’s glorious randomness. It gave me the perfect platform to share both old and new originals with a constant flow of fresh faces passing through. Priceless.
The main action took place on one key wall that rotates seasonally with new artists. I’d honestly encourage any artist to grab the chance if offered. The staff at Emporium are absolute legends — Justin at the helm, with a big shoutout to Tra, Steve, Marty, Connor, and Pablo for helping me get the space ready and making the whole thing a breeze.
Luckily, I already had a few originals I was happy with, and of course, the Huge Hugh and equally massive Oasis pieces fit the wall like they were meant to be there. Setup wasn’t too bad — the wall went black (obviously), pink accents added, and the pieces positioned and repositioned about fifty times until we were all on the brink of meltdown 😂 But we made it. And the end result? Spot on. Exactly how I’d imagined it.
The reveal kicked off with an open day — a few bubbles, some canapés, and a packed-out crowd ready to take it all in. Massive thanks to everyone who showed up and supported. As an artist, you spend so much time locked away in your own head (and paint fumes), so it’s easy to forget how good it feels to connect with people face to face. Events like this definitely push you out of your comfort zone, but I loved every second. It’s not hard to thrive when you’re surrounded by people who genuinely care and want to see you do well.
The exhibition ran for two and a half months, and while I was sad to see it wrap up, it felt more like closing a brilliant chapter than an ending. Proud, grateful, and already buzzing for what’s next.
Huge thanks again to everyone at Emporium — you’ve been a massive part of my journey. And folks, if you haven’t checked out Emporium on the Square yet, seriously, do yourself a favour. Go take in the extravaganza.
Onwards,
Pops
