Pick Me Up, the UK’s first and most spectacular graphic art fair and festival returns to Somerset House, London this March and we are beyond excited! For ten days, Pick Me Up will showcase the work of some of the world’s best illustrators, graphic designers, novelists and cartoonists through exhibitions, workshops and talks.
London based illustration collective Peepshow are this year’s artists in residence, presenting their Museum of Objects and Origins at the fair. Founded in 2000 by a group of University of Brighton graduates, the creative group has spent the past 12 years collaborating with and working for the likes of MTV, The Guardian and the BBC. For Pick Me Up, Peepshow will also host various workshops featuring special guests.
Workshops from the likes of Modern Toss, NoBrow, SelfMadeHero and Creative Review magazine are all set to take place and are open to both young and old alike. Children can take part in comic book illustrating while adults can receive racy, personalised illustrations from Mr Bingo.
Other Pick Me Up events include a show and tell in which graphic artists will talk about their inspirations, typographic collage workshops with the incredible Anthony Burrill (last year’s artist in residence – you can read our Q&A with Anthony HERE), paper toy making workshops and model making classes with members of the Aardman animation studio.
Pick Me Up will showcase the work of 20 specially selected up-and-coming creatives from around the world. Each of the international rising stars will produce new and exclusive works for the contemporary graphic art fair which visitors can see and buy. This year’s 20 include: Sarah Beetson, Tim McDonagh, Tim Enthoven, Yoko Furusho, Paul X Johnson, Matthew the Horse and Michael Kirkham.
Fans of iconic graphic design will have the chance to see the work of established professionals such as graphic designer George Hardie, the man responsible for some of the 60s and 70s most legendary album covers such as Led Zepplin’s debut record and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon. Meanwhile, animal lovers can take a look at Nelly Duff‘s pop-up zoo. Don’t expect real lions and tigers roaming around Somerset House, though, but do prepare yourself for some excellent, newly commissioned prints!
Pick Me Up runs from 22 March – 1 April 2012 at Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, Strand, London WC2R 1LA.
For more details visit the Somerset House website.
Image source in rows from left to right: Pick Me Up 2012/ Dead Wrestler/ Work and Life, Cachetejack, Peepshow: Accordian, Spencer Wilson, It’s The Thought That Counts, Luke Best, Croc Monsieur, Peskimo, Peepshow, Strongman, Spencer Wilson, Peepshow, Call Girl, Sarah Beetson, Health and Viruses, Yoko Furusho.
Source: blog.artsthread.com
