Hailing artwork on the move

Four years ago, art lover and sometime collector Jason Brown decided to fund his passion by becoming a cabbie. Eventually he had the bright idea of marrying his day job with his hobby and, along with art dealer Paul Stolper, Brown turned his cab into a moving art gallery.

Displaying works on the underside of the tip-up seat, on the cab's outside body, as freestanding works, such as artists' books, and as audio pieces, the Cab Gallery built up an impressive list of international artists.

These included Bob and Roberta Smith, whose painted sign, TAXY, was emblazoned on the side of the cab, and Abigail Cohen, who recorded her voice singing Robert De Niro's speeches in Taxi Driver.

Only once did the Cab Gallery get into a spot of bother - when Jemima Stehli contributed two photographs of her bare legs with the camera focused up her very short skirt. It was banned by the cab advertising committee at the Public Carriage Office for being too sexually suggestive.

This farewell retrospective - though still collecting art, Brown now wants to get back to driving an ordinary taxi - offers the chance to view the complete catalogue of artworks exhibited over the Cab Gallery's two-year life-span. It will be parked inside the Essor Project Space and works will be displayed around the larger gallery. Watch out for additional artwork by Bono and Sting.

Until Jan 22, Essor Gallery Project Space, 57 Ewer Street, off Union Street SE1, daily 11am to 5.30pm, free.

Tel: 07980 458 707
www.cabgallery.com
Tube: Southwark/London Bridge