Pick Me Up contemporary graphic art fair at Somerset House, London

'Back to Basics 2 Camera A' by Zim & Zou
'Back to Basics 2 Camera A' by Zim & Zou
(Image credit: TBC)

For the past two years, a flock of graphic art galleries and collectives has migrated to the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House each spring, filling the walls with a whole host of works and prints from illustrators, graphic designers, cartoonists and graphic novelists. Today the UK's first annual contemporary graphic art fair, aptly named Pick Me Up, is back - bigger and better - for its third outing.

Aside from the noticeable rise in exhibitors (five galleries and eight collectives), the fair has also expanded its scope by adding a dedicated new space to host workshops, live music and drawing, talks, and an evening bar.

Visitors can purchase work from established artists such as Chrissie MacdonaldBen Eine and Two Pipe Problem. And they can watch 20 specially-selected up-and-coming artists, including the likes of Riika SormunenMimi Leung and Zim & Zou hold court at Pick Me Up Selects, where they'll be producing new works exclusive to the fair.
 
Organisers have also lined up 12 special guests from the illustration world, namely George HardieMr Bingo and James Jarvis for talks and events, and many of the collectives and galleries will be offering workshops with artists.

'Untitled' by Bjorn Rune Lie

'Untitled' by Bjorn Rune Lie

(Image credit: TBC)

'Beyond the Sea' by Paul X Johnson

'Beyond the Sea' by Paul X Johnson

(Image credit: TBC)

'Soho Warriors Football Club' by Jenny Bowers

'Soho Warriors Football Club' by Jenny Bowers

(Image credit: TBC)

Pictured here is the graphic identity for Pick Me Up by Anthony Burrill.

This year visitors can pick up works from an even wider selection of illustrators, graphic designers, cartoonists and graphic novelists. Pictured here is the graphic identity for Pick Me Up by Anthony Burrill. 

(Image credit: Lomo Kev)

Trump' by Richard Ardagh

Trump' by Richard Ardagh

(Image credit: TBC)

'Strongman' by Spencer Wison

'Strongman' by Spencer Wison

(Image credit: TBC)

A selection of works by Spanish illustration duo Nuria Bellver and Raquel Fanjul of Catchejack.

A selection of works by Spanish illustration duo Nuria Bellver and Raquel Fanjul of Catchejack.

(Image credit: Lomo Kev)

Twenty specially-selected, up-and-coming artists, including the likes of Riika Sormunen, Mimi Leung and Zim & Zou will also be holding court at Pick Me Up Selects, producing new works exclusive to the fair.

Twenty specially-selected, up-and-coming artists, including the likes of Riika Sormunen, Mimi Leung and Zim & Zou will also be holding court at Pick Me Up Selects, producing new works exclusive to the fair.

(Image credit: Lomo Kev)

'Artist Exhibit D' by Martin Nicolausson

'Artist Exhibit D' by Martin Nicolausson

(Image credit: TBC)

Art workshop

Apart from the noticeable rise in exhibitors - five galleries and eight collectives - the fair is expanding its scope, with a dedicated new space set up to house workshops, live music, spoken word, live drawing and an evening bar. 

(Image credit: Lomo Kev)

'Arctic' by Miles Donovan

'Arctic' by Miles Donovan

(Image credit: TBC)

'London' by Jenny Bowers

'London' by Jenny Bowers

(Image credit: TBC)

ADDRESS

Somerset House
Embankment Galleries
Strand
London WC2R 1LA

VIEW GOOGLE MAPS