An illustration show with a festive twist opens this week in London. Work Christmas Party is a humorous poke at the traditional annual work booze-up with a selection of great artists.
© Supermundane
‘Custard Pied’— That quintessential staple of slapstick comedy; the pie in the face.
For better or worse, the work Christmas get together is something that freelance artists and designers miss out on. Work Christmas Party aim to fill that void with their upcoming show, giving people the chance to take in some great illustration and join in with the festivities.
In keeping with the theme of merriment, the show plays on the subject of British comedy. The artists have given their take on some of the country’s most iconic jovial moments.
With such an impressive selection of artists, it’s well worth checking out. The team tell us more below.
© Rob Flowers
‘Fakey cake maker’— Based on Vic and Bob’s Masterchef sketch.
Work Christmas Party began as a cunning plan by the RefinedGalleries’ curatorial and production team to celebrate contemporary British illustration and the creative minds behind it— an exciting opportunity to gather and showcase some of the best people working in the medium today.
© Paul Bower
‘Milk, milk, lemonade’— Based on the classic kid’s rhyme.
Work Christmas Party is exactly what it says, a Christmas Party, but with a tangible difference; it is an invitational show for freelancers who often miss out on the cultural marker of the working year— the Work Christmas Party.
© RexBox
‘Oh what a pop-up’— If the greats of classic British comedy were to open a contemporary pop-up market.
Structuring the proposal as a loose brief to the invited artists, we have asked them to explore the theme of British Comedy. To garner the best of their creativity we have kept the concept intentionally broad, encouraging the artists to capture a specific iconic moment, or the spirit of the British sense of humour itself – truly a ‘Christmas Special’ event.
© Rose Stallard
‘Who likes me hands up’— Based on Rik Mayall’s character Rick from The Young Ones
Teaming up with the ambitious Columbia Road Arts Club, located in the vibrant East End and spiritual home of London’s creative and artistic community, Work Christmas Party will be both a two-week exhibition and Christmas shop, with a series of public events, book signings, and ample opportunities to meet the artists involved.
All artists will be producing a limited edition of their illustration, available for sale to the public at a fixed price of £60. We have encouraged the artists to be ambitious in their work, and to create a democratic show where emerging illustrators are given equal billing and the opportunity to exhibit alongside some of the more established names.
‘Work Christmas Party’ in open from 26 Nov - 7 Dec at Columbia Road Arts Club, London. See their website for more details.
