On 1st October 1916 Capitanleutnant Heinrich Mathy leapt to his death from the burning Zeppelin L13 leaving a cartoon-like impression of his body in a field near Potters Bar.

Previously on the 8th September 1915 Mathy piloted Zeppelin L13 in a successful bombing raid over London that killed 22 people and caused 1.5 million pounds worth of damage. Amongst the buildings destroyed were four shops on Farringdon Road. A small bomb hit number 61, a large bomb hit number 62, and a huge bomb hit number 63 raising it to the ground and causing substantial damage to number 64. The shops were subsequently rebuilt in 1917 and number 63 went on to have a successful career as a telescope shop.

Now, 90 years on from this, the aquarium has its flagship store and gallery here - a world powerhouse for the finest and roughest in art and publishing.

Hub of energised creativity and home to artists renowned for their integrity and oppositional stance to mainstream cultural orthodoxy, THE AQUARIUM L-13 is an independent gallery and imaginative publisher founded by artist and musician Steve Lowe in 2003.

Based in premises that were destroyed during the Great War by a bomb dropped from Zeppelin L-13, Steve Lowe works closely with a small group of special artists, musicians and writers chosen for their particular political and creative persuasion.

Over the last five years this activity has been represented by a continuous programme of innovative exhibitions and the production of a vast range supportive artworks, multiples and published works that aim to reinvigorate and often subvert the way we view and consume art. As much as possible is made on-site, and most of it is done in creative collaboration with THE AQUARIUM L-13.

This work - which includes paintings, prints, artist books, novels, records, wallpaper, jewellery, stamps, teapots and a political campaign - is showcased in the ground floor gallery that has the atmosphere more akin to a Victorian gentleman's club than a regular art space, whilst the basement gallery is dedicated to special exhibitions by the individual artists.

Approachability and attainability has also been a driving force for THE AQUARIUM L-13, so whilst one finger is firmly on the pulse of fine art and cultural discourse, the other is on one of mass appeal and accessibility. Much of the art is also very affordable with prices starting at 25p for a signed limited edition print.

The is no other place like THE AQUARIUM L-13.

The artists that regularly exhibit and make work for and with THE AQUARIUM L-13 are:

JAMES CAUTY UK Master Artist
Founder member of The KLF and the K-Foundation. Best known for dumping a dead sheep at the Brit Awards and burning one million quid. Now creator of some of the worlds finest art stamps.

BILLY CHILDISH
Painter, musician, writer and polemicist. Known for his energised integrity and staggering creative output. Contrary to popular belief he did not found the Stuckists and was only a member for a very short period.

SEXTON MING
Twisted genius, painter, poet and musician.

ANNE PIGALLE
French artist, musician and eroticist.

JAMIE REID
Situationist inspired Druid, painter and the godfather of punk design. Best known for his collaborations with the Sex Pistols for whom he created the highly influential record covers. Less known for his spirituality and highly charged paintings that employ intense colour work with "sacred geometry".

STOT21stCplanB
Artists and musicians specialising in dark, oppositional and irreverent work, often to comic effect. Steve Lowe is a founder member of this group.

GERALDINE SWAYNE
Painter, musician and experimental film maker. Made the first ever home movie for Imax. Is currently focusing on her work as a painter as well as playing with Kraut Rock legends Faust.

Other important people

NEAL BROWN
Artist and writer on art. Has just finished writing "Billy Childish - A Critical Essay" to be published by L-13 in March 2008. Is also curating Billy Childish's forthcoming exhibition "I Fill All of Your Dreams" at THE AQUARIUM L-13 in March 2008.

JOHN MARCHANT
Curator and arts management. Former assistant to renowned artist Nan Goldin, John helped put together an important exhibition of Jamie Reid's personal collection as well as orchestrating the sale of some major pieces, including the original iconic God Save the Queen collage.

Other artists of note that have shown at or have been associated with the aquarium and THE AQUARIUM L-13

Banksy
Anthony Caro
Richard Hamilton
Daniel Johnston
Peter Kennard
Frank Kozik
Ralph Steadman
Gee Vaucher
Vivienne Westwood