Art Beyond the Shell

About Art Beyond the Shell

Art Beyond the Shell is an art and music collective. We are passionate about curating inclusive and immersive events as well as platforming creatives from marginalised backgrounds. Our mascot, the turtle, is a symbol for people that have had a slow start in life, but still choose to take a step forward despite the obstacles they face.

Art Beyond the Shell, less formally known as “The Turtles” was created after the pandemic in December 2021. Once the government lifted restrictions and we were allowed to attend events again, the social change in the way young people interacted was clear. We noticed an air of anxiety around reintegrating despite the human need for intimacy and community.

We created our mascot “The Turtle” to help address this social issue. The Turtle is someone who is curious, imaginative and has creative ideas, but he is reluctant to socialise, he is anxious about meeting new people and exploring new spaces, especially with the increasing cost of living. We wanted to create an inclusive and safe space so our turtles feel comfortable to come out of their shells and so that they can ‘enjoy at their own pace’.