Pick Me Up at Somerset House – Last Day!

Pick Me Up is the UK’s first contemporary graphic art fair and features an exciting line-up of both emerging and renowned artists and collectives.

In its second edition, the fair includes this year an open studio with legendary designer Anthony Burrill, a selection of the best new talents in graphic design and illustration from across the world, and limited edition work from Print Club London and Rose Blake amongst many others.

Anthony Burrill has invited long-time collaborators, such as graphic and ceramics artist Emily Forgot, sculptural artist and illustrator Wilfrid Wool, photographer Kevin Meredith and video artists Paul Plowman and Zac Ella in creating new work across different media. Many other collaborations have been scheduled, and the studio also includes its very own DJ booth hosting guest DJs Jonny Trunk, Chris Coco and Sacha Puttnam.

I particularly enjoyed “Pick Me Up Selects”, presenting an exhibition of 24 emerging graphic design and illustration talents. Among my favourites were McBess (France – www.mcbess.com), Polly Becker (USA – www.pollybecker.com), Revenge is Sweet (UK – www.revengeissweet.org) and the stunning and so delicate work of Seiko Kato (UK – www.seikokato.com), in front of which I could have stayed for hours. I was also completely fascinated by Victo Ngai‘s (USA – www.victo-ngai.com) incredible work, whether it be her strokes, her fantastic use of colours or the imaginative world behind the images. Cherry on this perfectly designed cake, Somerset House has commissioned each artist to create an exclusive print for the show, available at the fair for only £20.

A large programme of events has been organised around the event, with talks and workshops. This Sunday takes place “A Distinguished Head”, where PLATS collective invites visitors to take part in a silhouette workshop based on the game “Exquisite Corpse”. Participants will create an image of themselves through shadow play and projected images, which will then be photographed and available to buy.

Claire Catteral, Somerset House Embankment Curator said: “We are thrilled to be presenting the second edition of Pick Me Up which includes favourites from the previous fair alongside fresh elements and first time participants. It was great to see the warm welcome Pick Me Up received from both the international graphic design community and the general public, and we hope to further establish the fair as the platform for the contemporary graphic art scene.”

Today’s the last day, so don’t miss out!

Laurie Guillem

Pick Me Up – 17/27 March 2011, daily from 10am to 7pm – Somerset House, Embankment Galleries, London WC2R 1LA – Admission: £7, concessions £5