The DIY art market is a bi-monthly market and a celebration of the emerging and established independent artists and makers of London. Each event has over 60 handpicked exhibitors, championing the unique and the original, the D.I.Y. and the self-published.
Enabling people to buy direct from the makers, there’s an array of items for sale from: independent publications to illustration, photography, art prints, jewellery, zines, sewn items, ceramics, custom tees, home-made cassettes, comics, screen prints, records, books, & what can only be described as ‘indefinables’.
Past exhibitors have included: Crumb Cabin, Laura Gee, Esther Mcmanus, Decadence Comics, Doomed Gallery, Anna Beam, Dogboy, Belly Kids, Sandra Dieckmann, Ben Rider, Tiny Pencil, Hero of Switzerland, Alice Russell, Hoxton Mini Press, Sam Baldwin, Murray Somerville, Charlie Mellors, Sam Gull, Jazz Dad Books, and Hannah Prebble.
Founded by illustrator and curator Mark Farhall, we caught up with him to talk about the new addition to the market:
How did the DIY Art market start?
I manage Stoke Newington’s Hackney Flea Market, which is a mix of both vintage, and independent creatives. I found that the independent creatives were getting a bit swamped by all the vintage. So I set up the DIY Art Market, initially with some of the artists who had participated in HFM, but then invited artists, and independent publishers who I’d met at zine, illustration fairs, and art markets.
How do you choose the exhibitors/stall holders?
I curate the DIY Art Market and my choice of exhibitors is based upon my art background, and my interests in zines, counter culture, ephemera, and all things original/unique. It’s a bit self-indulgent, I exhibit the artists, and independent publishers who I’d like to collect, exhibit, and find inspiring.
How important do you think it is to have platforms like the market to support independent designers/makers/sellers?
I think it’s very important to have affordable platforms like the DIY Art Market, as it’s not only a place to exhibit and sell, but it’s also a place to meet peers, share opportunities / experiences, and network with other more established artists.
Are you involved with anything else at the moment (collaborations, plans for expansion, promotion etc)?
At the moment I’m at the early stages of planning a publication, which would be a compilation of some artists, and publishers who have exhibited at the market over the past year. I’m also planning on taking the market to new locations, pop ups in South London, and Brighton are on the horizon.
How can people get involved?
A table at the DIY Art Market is affordable too which is important for emerging artists. I tend to ask potential exhibitors to email me a link to some artwork and a few lines of explanation. I do try to reply to every email, but I get lots of submissions every day.
WHERE: Copeland Gallery, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham. SE15 3SN
WHEN: Saturday 12th March 2016, 11am –6pm
MORE INFO: Here!
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