Re:Box Marks One-Year Anniversary With Liz Cooke Exhibition

Re:Box, the Island’s smallest art gallery located in a classic Kiosk No.6 on Lind Street in Ryde, is showcasing new work by artist Liz Cooke — best known for her large-scale festival flags.

Inside the former phone box, swathes of fabric are on display, echoing the colourful bespoke curtains Liz created for DEPARTMENT on Cross Street.

As DEPARTMENT approaches its one-year anniversary, organisers say the timing felt perfect for Liz to “think inside the box.”

Liz was commissioned by Shademakers UK, the creative team behind DEPARTMENT, to produce the installation that fills the upper-storey windows of the former Elizabeth Pack Department Store.

Her work gives the building a vibrant, contemporary feel both inside and out.

Her flags and installations have also featured at events including London shows and projects with organisations such as Greenpeace, as well as at major music events across the UK.

All of Liz’s flags are designed and made in her off-grid, solar-powered workshop on the Island. Working towards a zero-waste approach, she repairs and upcycles flag sets once they reach the end of their lifespan, creating new designs, colours and textures in the process.

Offcuts are reused in other pieces, transformed into bunting or incorporated into craft projects — ensuring no fabric is wasted.

Re:Box co-founder Zoë Barker said the gallery’s repurposed phone box makes the perfect setting for Liz’s work, while fellow co-founder Anmarie Bowler added that the display is a fitting way to celebrate DEPARTMENT’s milestone year.

DEPARTMENT will mark its first anniversary with a Big Birthday Bash on 13 March. Tickets are available via its official website.

Visitors can find out more about Liz Cooke’s work online, including on Instagram, where she shares updates under her artist profile.

Re:Box was created through the BT ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ initiative, with ownership passed to Ryde Town Council.

The project was developed by local artists determined to give the decommissioned phone box a new creative purpose.

Lit from within, the gallery transforms at night into a glowing lightbox, resembling stained glass.

Re:Box is partially funded by Ryde Town Council. Artists interested in exhibiting and “thinking inside the box” can contact the gallery directly.