I have recently attended the Pick Me Up Graphic Arts
Festival at Somerset House. As this was the first time I had ever
gone, I didn’t quite know what to expect, assuming I’d find a room of art
prints mounted on the walls. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there
was so much more.
As I approached Somerset House, I could see a hoard of
creatives queued up all the way down the side of the building. Loud music from
inside could be heard, flooding out the front entrance.
Following the sound, I made my way in. As soon as you step
inside, the display begins. Amazing pieces of artwork greeted me; One of my
favourites being by illustrator and good friend, Robert Sae-Heng, whose playful, colourful characters dance around their canvas.
In addition to mounted prints, there was a very
colourfully-entertaining live band playing(I believe their name was 'Heavy Pencil' and they're also some big time illustrators), workshops, sculptures, a bustling
bar and plenty of goodies to purchase and take home.
Some other artists whose work I really loved were Katie Scott(Snake, below left) and You Byun(Jellyfish, Below right).
I left with a new appreciation for the various forms of
graphic art and also as a fan of some new artists whose work I discovered that
night. This event highly exceeded my expectations and I look forward to
returning next year!
[B]
