If you’ve never heard of the eccentric, good humoured and yet exceptionally well-pedigree’d Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair, you could be forgiven for thinking that it takes place in London’s Vauxhall neighbourhood; you’d be wrong. The Art Car Boot Fair originated from several precedents (like Joshua Compton’s Fete worse than Death, or Gavin Turk’s Articultural Fair) in the early 90s, with the emergence of the YBA scene. Conceived and produced by Karen Ashton, the VACB is a one day event combining a car boot sale and an art fair. It’s the Vauxhall car that gives this fair it’s name and uniquely British sense of fun, as a parade of well known figures from the art world personally sell original and limited edition works of art from the back of the eponymous motors, at authentically bargain prices. This year, over 70 renowned artists including Sir Peter Blake, Gavin Turk, Emin International, Polly Morgan, Mat Collishaw, Bob & Roberta Smith, Pam Hogg, Pure Evil, Marcus Harvey, Billy Childish will pitch up to flog their wares. Sir Peter Blake, a regular at the show, remembers the first iteration: ‘.. I first read about the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair in the paper and found out it was happening that day. I had created a limited edition of 30 wood engravings, so we found a box, went along and sold the lot. Since then I’ve been involved every year; it’s a clever way to make art accessible and affordable to everyone.’
The cars themselves, both new and vintage, are often customised works of art in their own right (see below), and the bustling street market vibe is certainly a lively remove from the hushed white walled galleries we all know – getting up close and better still, going home with a piece of art is an exciting and refreshing first step into becoming a collector! Works are typically on sale for between £10 to £1,000. Some of this year’s highlights, some of which are featured int he slideshow above, include:
- Tracey Emin’s new set of iPad prints and hand painted eggs – she’ll also be running a raffle to win an original prin
- A timely, very limited special edition of Marcus Harvey’s infamous and celebrated 2009 work ‘Maggie’, probably the most innovative contemporary depiction of Margaret Thatcher
- VACB veteran Gavin Turk will present something new for 2013 plus a retrospective of all his previous Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair works, celebrating 10 solid years of participation
- Classy cobbler (and former Blueprint collaborator) Tracey Neul will be stepping up alongside artist collective Le Gun and outsider art champions The Museum of Everything, both of whom have had artworks featured on Tracey Neul limited edition shoes
- Returning artist Sir Peter Blake, who has been involved with the Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair since its inception will be creating a special print to commemorate Britain’s 110 year love affair with Vauxhall Motors and the 10th Art Car Boot Fair. All proceeds raised from the sale of the 110 limited edition artworks will go to Just For Kids Law, Kids Company and Help For Heroes.
A stunning line-up of vintage Vauxhall cars will provide the backdrop to this ultimate car boot fair celebrating British art on Sunday 9th June from 12-6pm at the Old Truman Brewery – for further details please click here
artcarbootfair.com
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