The first gallery you encounter at the graphic & illustration showcase "Pick Me Up" is entitled "Selects" and features emerging talent selected by a panel of industry experts. Their work has been made new especially for the event and shown alongside preparatory sketches and process paraphernalia. Here are my top pics from the people chosen by judges such as Darkroom's Rhonda Drakeford who I'm sure had something to do with liking the pieces by Isabel & Helen. These were also my favourite by far because they were so unique, fresh and well made. The ornamental instruments "The Noise Makers" actually move at surprise timed intervals which made me jump - but I loved it!
Meet the artists on a daily revolving schedule of residencies.
Here are some other colours from PickMeUp graphic and illustration show at Somerset House including more Mr. Penfold c/o GreyJamPress. My favourite section is Beach Gallery's beautiful collaboration with Simon Costin's Museum of British Folklore featuring work by different artists such as Rosy Nicholas's Kate Bush inspired banner and Malarko's Morris Man ceramic bust. Below these shots is a detail snap from the shelves within an entire ceramic enclave dedicated to the "Clay Collective" where I discovered the mark-making of my favourite artist from Secret7" - Joe Rogers a.k.a "ColourBox". His primary colour freestyle geometric patterns are so lush!
Under this is a recycled stationary range from Risograph printers "Hato Press" who were also responsible for the graphic identity of PickMeUp this year. Next is "Peso Press" Utopian glyph alphabet in conjunction with Somerset House's current "Year of Imagination and Possibility". Members of the public can play around with these wood block letters and print their own poster to take home. On a larger scale of text printing is the Alan Kitching letter press and retrospective exhibition of works from his six decades in typographical design. Check out the site for details of when he will be giving live demonstrations of the process as he prints Utopian-themed artwork. Info here.
As part this year's PickMeUp's "Collective" series are 3rd Rail screen-printers. Not only can you buy straight off their actual rail, but also have a go yourself with ink and squidgey to print your own tote bag. Amongst the artist's prints, t-shirts, sweatshirts and finger puppets on show are names such as Malarko, Lynnie Zulu and Hattie Stewart. I'm particularly in love with the 10 colour hand-printed Mr.Penfold t-shirt! Dreamy!!!
