London Life Exhibitions

Pick Me Up – Somerset House

April 28, 2014

Pick me up at Somerset House is always a favourite in the calendar. The private view was a real good bash with fantastic food and beverages from Fernandez and Wells.

In its fifth year, it might be the best yet? Oh, I think that every time I visit. There was, however, a sense of sophistication that makes this one extra special. The talent is never ending and it’s a real challenge to pick favourites. Needs must and so here’s some of the wonderful work you’ll encounter if/when you visit.

The Pick me Up graphics are always a treat!

Pick me Up - Logo

Pick me Up - London

Pick me Up - This way sign

These are some of the Pick me up Selects, a group of rising stars of the graphics arts world specially selected by an industry panel. Each artist has produced new and exclusive work to see and buy.

Thibaud Herem is a french illustrator who studied Graphic Design in France before moving to London. His contemporary take on a traditional technique is super refreshing. Here are some of his detailed, slow drawing processes using cross hatching as used in etchings. Each building can take 150 hours to draw.

I’ve met Thibaud and been to his studio. Not just talented, but he’s also a genuinely nice guy and a true gentleman. His first book looks wonderful and with his latest publication, he no doubt will go far!

Pick me Up - Thibaud Herem
Detail of large-scale drawing of St. Pancras Station

Pick me Up - Thibaud Herem
Detail of large-scale drawing of St. Pancras Station

Pick me Up - Thibaud Herem
Detail of London Skyline

Julia Pott is a British animator and illustrator based in New York. She graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2011 with her award-winning film Belly.

Pick me up - Julia Pott
Breathe A3 Print by Julia Pott

Kyle Platts is a freelance illustrator and artist from Sheffield, who now resides in London.

Pick me Up - Kyle Platts
Detail of Woody & Buzz as the Taliban 1 by Kyle Platts | edition of 30, £60 each

Pick me Up - Kyle Platts
Detail of Woody & Buzz as the Taliban 2 by Kyle Platts | edition of 30, £60 each

I’m always looking forward to see the Collectives on the first level. I loved the spirit of Hero of Switzerland. Made up of 7 artists, for this show they curated the great British emporium, full of British humour and wit.

Pick me Up - Hero of Switzerland

Pick me Up - Hero of Switzerland
Everything in this chest of drawers was about smell.

Pick me Up - Hero of Switzerland
This figurine was my absolute favourite. Isn’t she just fab?

The Illustrated Game , or T.I.G is an illustrated football blog based in North London. T.I.G attempts to place emphasis on non-league football, as well as the upper tiers. As a result, fortnightly they trek around London visiting non-league football grounds, writing articles and illustrating their travels.

Pick me up - the Illustrated Game
What a nice idea to create this illustrative football table

Pick me up - the Illustrated Game
Detail of illustrative football table -Love Subbuteo, reminds me of my childhood

Pick me up - the Illustrated Game
Design your own team, another fun idea!

The smallest printing company. The latest project of The Letterproeftuin. A mobile printing installation for small posters and books.

Pick me Up - The smallest printing company

Pick me Up - The smallest printing company
You cannot see the scale here, but it’s tiny!

Pick me Up - The smallest printing company
See the process of printing here

I popped back yesterday to have a better look. Pick me Up is full of wonderful events. Check out the daily schedule here. Yesterday saw the very talented Gemma Correll’s Pug Party. The shop when you exit is full of goodies, from wonderful prints to great books and accessories. Go and support this wonderful event in any way you can. It’s inspiring and a lot of fun!

Pick me Up 2014
Somerset House

24 April – 5 May 2014

Open daily 10.00 – 18.00 (Last admission 17.15)
Late night Thursdays and Fridays until 22.00 (last admission 21.15)
Embankment Galleries, South WingDay tickets £10, concessions £8
Festival Pass £17.50

This post will stay live until next Monday, 5th May (Bank Holiday).

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16 Comments

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey April 29, 2014 at 11:00 am

    Hey Tina. Have to say that I love the detail drawing of St. Pancras Station. Pretty amazing work.

    Some of this is a bit off the wall for me, but still it’s great to see such an eclectic array of work.

    Thanks for sharing 🙂 x

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:02 pm

      Thibaud is incredibly talented and his drawings are amazing.. Look out for his book I mentioned. Some beautiful work in there.

      Yes, Gerard, somehow I cannot quite picture you visiting this exhibition.:-) x

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily April 29, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    Ah-another new discovery for me-not being part of the graphics world. Looks like a fascinating exhibition-even though I completely dislike football, I think the illustrated blog is a great idea-will forward it to a friend who I know will love it!! xx

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      Ha. You don’t need to be part of the graphics world. I think you would really enjoy this exhibition. Lots of talent in many different areas.
      Thank you for forwarding this to your friend. Hope they like it. I also rather liked the football blog. Different and fun!
      Thanks love x

  • Reply Catherine@farmhousehome April 30, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Somerset House was one of our favourite places to visit when we were in London many moons ago. Thibaud Herem’s work is amazing, so detailed. We went to quite a few museum’s in NY and enjoyed them all especially the Museum Of Natural History. Well we’re back now, I had an incredible birthday and I’m here to report that 50 is fab! Your’s next xxx

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:07 pm

      Somerset House is beautiful! It’s always changing and just a vibrant space in London.

      Glad you like Thibaud’s work. It is detailed and amazing!!.
      Wow, can’t wait to hear more of NY… when will it happen?
      And thanks love, I already have a few friends who road tested the big 50, I’m prepared.
      So pleased you had a wonderful time all round xx

  • Reply Mel April 30, 2014 at 3:41 am

    Looks like a great festival. I know that a couple my friends in Sydney who are graphic designers and both from London would be green looking at the schedule. Love the sunburnt figurine too – hilarious and so true! Did she smell btw? Have a great bank holiday Tina xx

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:09 pm

      It’s getting better every year or so I say:-)
      The figurine did smell:-))

      Thank you. Had a great break and we were very fortunate with the weather. Hope you’re well xx

  • Reply Anya Jensen May 1, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I have never been to the Pick me up festival – but I used to work at Somerset house back in the day – such an amazing place and the views are always FAB. This looks like a great way to spend an afternoon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
    Ax

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:11 pm

      Hahaha, you always surprise me…love that you worked at Somerset House:-)

      I think you might like the event. xx

  • Reply Holly May 4, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Nice post! Thank you for intro to Julia Pott. LOVE her animations, will definitely be watching a few more of those. And Gemma is super sweet and funny! Will be browsing more of her portfolio later too.

    I can see how you fell in love with the mini printing installation! And yes, sunscreen lady is ultra fab!

    Thanks for taking us along Tina xoxo

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks Holly. Glad you enjoyed some of it. Julia Pott is super talented…

      Always happy to report and share great exhibitions and events for those of you not in London. Pleasure lovely xx

  • Reply alisonsye May 6, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    Very inspirational, Tina.
    Love the sun-cream model…

    • Reply tina May 7, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Thank you Alison. Maybe one event you can try next year x

  • Reply Doris May 17, 2014 at 9:29 am

    How on earth do you find out about these great little exhibitions? Looks very inspiring and thanks for sharing Tina. xD

    • Reply tina May 19, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      It’s in its fifth year:-))
      Pleasure Doris xx

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