TOUCH GRASS: life beyond the screen
On 4th June, we opened the doors to our second Studio 404 show: TOUCH GRASS.
TOUCH GRASS was a free art and culture event in London that explored the world beyond our devices. The exhibition brought together work inspired by graffiti walls, nature, street photography, architecture, sport, fashion, protest, skate culture, park life, and the everyday rituals of people gathering outside.
130 artists. Specially selected artworks from curators in Mexico City, Johannesburg, and Beirut. Free creative workshops. Live art. Food and drinks on us. And hundreds of people making, talking, looking, buying art, and spending a few hours together IRL.
An art exhibition you could actually take part in
Studio 404 has never really been interested in creating exhibitions where the only thing you're allowed to do is stand politely in front of a wall. We want people to participate.
So throughout TOUCH GRASS, visitors could move between the exhibition, watch artists create work live, join free drop-in creative workshops (from foiling and collaborative knitting to collage, flower arranging, loom weaving, drawing, and textile recycling), eat, drink, meet somebody new, or simply hang out.
There was no expectation that you needed to know anything about art before walking through the door.
You didn't need to be a collector. You didn't need to work in the creative industries. You didn't even need to describe yourself as creative. You just needed to come in.
That's becoming an important part of what we're trying to build with Studio 404: accessible art events in London that feel culturally exciting without feeling culturally exclusive.
Taking creativity offline
The name TOUCH GRASS came from internet language, but the idea behind it was much bigger. More and more of our relationships with creativity now happen through screens.
We discover artists through Instagram. We save references to Pinterest. We watch somebody make something on TikTok. We photograph exhibitions before we've properly looked at them. Even our leisure can become another thing to document, optimise and publish.
TOUCH GRASS wasn't about pretending technology is inherently bad.
It was about remembering that there are experiences a screen can't reproduce. The scale of a painting. The texture of a surface. Watching someone's hand make a mark. Having a conversation you hadn't planned. Trying something you're terrible at. Buying a piece of work directly from the person who made it. Staying somewhere longer than you expected because you're having a good time.
Supporting emerging artists in London
One of the best things to come out of TOUCH GRASS was seeing artwork leave the walls with new owners. We sold a brilliant number of pieces across the evening. For us, exhibiting emerging artists isn't simply about giving somebody wall space for a night. We want these events to create genuine opportunities for artists to be discovered, meet audiences and sell their work.
Making art accessible shouldn't mean expecting artists to work without value. And collecting art shouldn't feel reserved for people who already understand the art world.
Sometimes it can simply be:
I love that. Who made it? Can I buy it? More of that, please!
From FACE 2 FACE to TOUCH GRASS
FACE 2 FACE asked: What happens when we bring people offline again?
TOUCH GRASS pushed that idea further: What are we missing while we're looking down?
Each Studio 404 show is its own world, but they're connected by the same belief.
Creativity gives people a reason to gather.
And when you remove as many barriers as possible (ticket prices, art-world intimidation, closed networks and the feeling that a cultural space simply isn't “for you”) people show up. So we'll keep building reasons to do exactly that.
What’s next for Studio 404?
Next up is 10,000 HOURS, our third Studio 404 show, taking place at Laundry Studios on Thursday, 3rd September 2026.
This time we're exploring everything that comes before the finished work: practice, repetition, obsession, experimentation, mistakes and the countless unseen hours behind creativity.
We're also partnering with Grow Up Art and The Big Issue as The Big Issue commemorates its 35th anniversary.
To support Studio 404 and help us continue creating free and accessible cultural experiences, you can donate here and follow us on Instagram.
Why in-person creative events matter more than ever
At a time when so much of our lives exists online, FACE 2 FACE was built around a simple idea: What happens when we bring people offline again? Not for content. Not for clout. Not for a quick photo and exit.
But to:
Experience art up close
Watch artists create in real time
Make something yourself
Meet people you wouldn’t usually meet
The result was a room that felt present, not performative, where people stayed, talked, laughed and created. Someone described it like he felt he’d gone back in a time machine, and it doesn’t get much better than that, really, does it?
Thank you
To the artists who trusted us with their work:
‘Demi.FH - 616 - Aaron Mighty - Adilson Naueji - Ainara Basco Hidalgo - Akintomide Akinshola - Aman Kalsi - Angel Dan Rong - Anisa Riddell - Anna Stiles - Archie Proudfoot - Areesha Khalid - Arthur - Ayesha Hussain - AyshaArts - Bex Glover - Choots - Chris McCrae - Christian Boehmer - Chubby Onyesoro - Craig Carmichael - Doppel - Dwayne.B - Ellis J Lewis-dragstra - Ellis Jan Kwame Lewis-Dragstra - Emeka Harker - Emily Almodovar - Fei Alexeli - Felix Stochaj - Fifi Anicah - Florencia Magallanes - Francis Augusto - Frank Moth - Henry James Garrett - Izrahyel - James Klinge - Jana Nicole - Jas Dhillon - Joke Amusan - Kaili Smith - Kazvare - Kiara Ama - L'AFRO (Lanna Awouda) - Lawrence Meju - Lorna Doyan - Luke Tupper - Marcus Dove - Margarita Godgelf - Mariana Georgoulopoulou - Marta - Mathilda Stowell - Maureen Uzoh - Miguel H. Cuar - Ming Jung Tsai - Mr Cenz - NA̶T AN ARTIST - Nick Gatenby - Nilupa Yasmin - Oisín 'Oshii' Davis-Lyons - Oluwapelumi Oluyemi - qwynto - Realm Of Paradox - Remi Rough - Risanne Martin - Sakhiwo Tshabalala - Shai Digital - Shiquerra Clarke - Shona Coyne - Si Xiazi - Simona Ruscheva - Sinatra Zantout - Sophie Goudman-Peachey - Stella Austriņa - STREET ART ATLAS - FAYE COOPER - Tash Leviton - Tayhe Munsamy - Teig Hyde-Corrin - Tim Fowler - Tomartacus - Valeria Alvarez - Venetta Nicole - Will Barras - Zoe Gyamfi
Curators:
Gran Salón México - Spaz You know - Karabo Mokoena
Workshop facilitators:
Foilco - Yahvi - Rosette - Rajvi - Anna - Katerina - Farah
Special shout-out to:
Creative Debuts - Other Box - The Laundry Studios team - Tina from Moniker Art - NALA - Great Art UK - The Framing Room - Art Install London - Catch Cameras - Free Books Campaign - London Fields Pub - Studio Bonus Official - Angry Jalebi - Giulia Paratelli - Most Wanted Wines - Cog Drinks - Dalston Drinks - Five Points Brew
And of course, to the people who booked a ticket and queued patiently! And to everyone behind the scenes who made it happen.
Partner with Studio 404
Studio 404 is a non-profit CIC creating free art events, exhibitions, and cultural experiences in London and beyond, designed to support emerging and established artists/creatives and bring people together OFFLINE BY DESIGN™.
We work with brands, organisations and cultural partners through event partnerships, sponsorships, creative activations, artist commissions and takeovers. If you're interested in supporting a future Studio 404 event or building something with us → Contact us here.
