TAR Weekend

 From the 27th to the 30th of March 2025 -  the final weekend of March, with the first hints of summer creeping into the sky, TAR Street Sports London hosted the TAR Weekend Brick Lane Takeover at Galleria Objets. The weekend brought together a series of events showcasing creative talent across photography, film, graffiti, and music. 

The weekend begun on Thursday with a black-and-white photography exhibition, curated to reflect TAR Street Sports’ signature colour scheme. The work came from a diverse range of international photographers, each showing cultural moments they’ve captured through a monochromatic lens. The night flowed with a lineup of heavy-hitting DJ sets that set the vibe to kick off the weekend. Everyone showed up looking great and ready to enjoy the drinks, music, and art. It felt like a celebration, not just of TAR, but of the entire culture surrounding skateboarding, photography, music, BMX, and creative expression.

 

Day two was the premiere of a skate film. This reminded me of the evolution of skateboarding, from a rebellious street sport for pastime to the prestige of an Olympic sport. TAR Street Sports caters to skaters with durable wheels, apparel and accessories that make skateboarding easier and ensure you look good doing it. The film was followed by DJ sets that kept the energy moving into the evening to create an immersive experience.

Saturday marked the debut of the “Graffiti Exibit,” an innovative group show featuring artists Trexus, 2Rise, Bams, Jeba, Lord, and Opake. Each artist reinterpreted the essence of TAR Street Sports in their individual styles, working with tones of steel grey, obsidian, and every shade in between, to be consistent with TAR’s black-and-white DNA. An open mic that evening invited guests to jump in, showcasing their talent and lyrical flow, while DJ Debs & Friends plus more kept the decks spinning through the night. Free drinks flowed, and what began as an exhibition evolved into a party celebrating creative freedom, collaboration, and TAR Street Sport. 

 

Sunday felt like the heart of the whole weekend, a laid-back yet electric finale. With the “Graffiti Exibit” continuing, the gallery space evolved into a house or even a creative home, pulsing with music from day to night. DJ sets floated through the venue keeping energy buzzing without losing the effortless calm of a sunny Sunday.

 

The day kicked off with an entrance from fashion model and bike enthusiast, Shaden Phillips, known for his blend of streetwear and bike tricks. Shaden popped wheelies whilst dressed in a curated mix of Alo, Nike, and TAR Street Sport, sporting the mini crossbody bag (M2K). This staple piece, designed to fit a single spray can or your daily essentials, from two phones to a tobacco pouch and the forever-lasting TAR Smoke Set. The M2K bag perfectly embodies the brand’s ethos: built for movement and made to last using military grade materials. In true TAR fashion, it wasn’t just about looking good but about function, durability, and sustainable style in motion.

 

The popup shop showcased TAR Street Sports products behind display screens, treated like the functional art pieces they are. Each item was engineered for longevity, built to withstand extreme conditions and active lifestyles, using military-grade materials. Priced accessibly, every piece is more like an investment in durability, design and culture.

 

The hallway and every spare corner of the venue were covered with black-and-white photographs offering guests a visual recap with a glimpse into the opening night . It was more than just decor; it was an archive of TAR Street Sports and collaborators work. 

 

My highlight was seeing how each artist interpreted TAR Street Sports’ signature black-and-white palette:

   •          2Rise showcases classic graffiti style by layering spray paint on canvas. I love the speckle dots used for shading, with the link fence pattern framing the canvas. It appears the fence has been cut making “TAR” more visible, similar to how street art can be viewed in real life. The layered tag adds an authentic touch.

   •          Bams delivered a piece that was reminiscent of train-side graffiti culture. His work honoured the roots of street art whilst acknowledging TAR Street Sport’s influence and impact on the culture. 

   •          Jeba’s comic book–style illustrations brought a vibrant, graphic energy utilising his skills as an illustrator, graphic designer and graffiti artist. It was playful yet detailed, reminding me a of marvel comics.

   •          Trexus played with perception, layering black spray paint and marker to toy with visual depth. His piece demanded a double take, playing with your eyes that will force you to pause and engage.

   •          Lord’s grey-toned piece should’ve been titled “Solid As A Rock” with visual cracks just starting to form. This reminded me of the resilience and strength of a rock that endures weathering and TAR Street Sports durable military grade products of course!

   •          Opake was the wildcard, blending pop iconography with an unexpected material. His hand embellished giclée print is archival-grade digital print, built to last like TAR Street Sports products. This Mickey Mouse–inspired piece was already sold by the time I arrived, a testimony to his cult following and the buzz it generated throughout the event.

 

Even the crowd felt curated in a magnificent way. Everyone there seemed to bring something to the space, whether it was fashion, creative energy, or a good conversation. TAR Street Sports might give off that “cool kids only” vibe, but this weekend reminded me that cool can still be kind and inclusive.

 

TAR Street Sports isn’t just selling accessories or sportswear, but building a world filled with street sport, art, and community that is present at all their events. From the bricks and concrete to the gallery wall, TAR Street Sports proves street culture isn’t just surviving, it’s evolving.