OUTPOST is an exciting new gallery concept for Norwich. Based in Tombland, the venue will showcase artists in the region - offering a high-profile venue as an alternative to London-based galleries. "There is a huge demand for gallery space for artists outside London," said Sarah Horton of the OUTPOST committee. "Many talented artists in Norwich feel they have to move to the capital to find opportunities for exhibiting their work. OUTPOST has no charges, provides free publicity and technical expertise and, more importantly, provides the space for artists to experiment in. "The gallery also acts as a resource centre for local artists and we hope that it will provide a hub around which local artists and those interested in the visual arts can become more connected," she added. Siege Music The first exhibition Siege Music is by Andrew Marsh and explores music played by military psychological units at contemporary sieges such as Panama and Waco, in an attempt to make the individuals under siege surrender.
"It's great to have this opportunity to return to Norwich and have a solo show at an artist-led gallery where everyone is sympathetic to the needs of artists," said Marsh. "Siege Music is an idea I've had for a long time and OUTPOST has given me the freedom to take risks with the work and not conform to any particular trend or style. "Exhibiting in Norwich also means that a different set of people will get to view the work. Norwich has always had a lively art scene, but apart from the Norwich Gallery there has been very few venues to exhibit like this in the city," he added.  | | Installation by Andrew Marsh |
Siege Music will consist of a wall of speakers which viewers will be confronted with when they enter the gallery. Some of these speakers will have band logos and psychological operations units motifs drawn on them. The use of music as weaponry will be compared to the way teenagers lock themselves in their bedroom playing loud music to annoy their parents. After passing the speaker wall and entering the main space, one wall will contain posters designed by the artist with the lyrics and songs played at siege events. These posters will be pasted to the wall in the way a teenager might decorate his or her bedroom. A place for expression Funded by a 30k grant from Arts Council East, OUTPOST is managed by a committee of seven artists from a variety of visual arts backgrounds, all of whom offer their time free of charge. The aim of the gallery is to give artists the freedom to produce innovative, contemporary art. "OUTPOST offers something different to the commercial galleries in Norwich," said founding gallery member Kaavous Clayton. "The intention is to provide a space where artists can present new ideas, push their limits and test boundaries. There will be an area dedicated to selling small works if artists wish and the space will be a centre for dialogue and discourse," he said. Siege Music continues until November 21st and can be viewed Wednesday-Sunday from 12–6pm. For further information about the gallery send an e-mail to questions@norwichoutpost.org December's exhibition is by artist/promoter Bill Drummond and will run from Wednesday 1 - Sunday 19 December. | 
