EXG Website: www.exgirlfriendberlin.com

EXG Insta: @exgirlfriendberlin

A contemporary art gallery specializing in the intersection of digital and IRL experience

Information Packet: 2017/2018

Mit Borrás, “Completely Familiar, Entirely Artificial”, 2016. Exgirlfriend.

Exgirlfriend showcases a diverse range of international artists through 7-10 exhibitions annually, sourced via an open call for proposals.

Logo Design:

I worked closely with a young designer Crystal Zapata to design a wordmark logo that would be simultaneously “new” feeling but remain timeless. I didn’t want something overly trendy — our name already evoked a playfulness and tongue-in-cheek humor, and so we set out to design the perfect logo for Exgirlfriend.

We landed on our logo design: a simple outlined wordmark logo which we continue to use to this day. I am still incredibly proud of our visual identity and how it informed the cutting-edge curation from the last 8 years.

The 2019 Expansion:

After 3 years in our small space in Stieglitz, I founded a 1000 sqm non-profit studio building called HER. I independently oversaw the incorporation and renovation of the space to accommodate EXGIRLFRIEND in a new 150 sqm gallery and to build 24 private artist studios.

the new gallery before the renovation in 2019

after the renovation

Results:

  1. Exhibitions and Events: Successfully organized over 30 exhibitions and events, featuring artists from around the world.

  2. Merchandise: created our own line of T-shirts and hats which are still being bought and sold today.

  3. Attendance: Achieved remarkable attendance at exhibition openings, ranging from 50 to 300 people, despite operating outside the city center.

  4. Expansion: Expanded the showroom from a modest 30 sqm to an impressive 150 sqm within three years.

  5. Art Fair Participation: Received invitations to participate in art fairs, leading to extensive press coverage and recognition as a must-see component of these events.

  6. Grant Recognition: Secured thousands of euros in grants for outstanding curatorial work, validating the artistic and organizational success of Exgirlfriend.

  7. HER - A Non-Profit Artist Studio: Leveraged the success of Exgirlfriend to establish HER, a 1000 sqm non-profit artist studio in Alt-Mariendorf. This space provides affordable workspaces for artists and offers professional support and free community events.

  8. Business Growth: Overcame resource constraints and a global pandemic to build successful businesses and sustain operations for eight years.