BD Network and Art Against Knives (AAK) present The BD Creatures Exhibition, launching 31st May. This unique and very special exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the charity Art Against Knives and integrated creative agency BD Network. These two Shoreditch neighbours have come together to showcase a range of imaginative creature illustrations at the BoxPark Gallery, with the limited edition first prints available on launch night, and the exhibition itself running through to 14th June.
The launch evening will be showcasing 25 original illustrations that have been sketched by Creatives at BD. Each piece will be exhibited, and available for sale, for two weeks. All of the proceeds from The BD Creatures Exhibition will go to Art Against Knives.
The collaboration which led to The BD Creatures Exhibition is down to the passion and creativity of two people; James Newport and Jenny Hemsley, both of whom work at BD Network.
Jenny has been close to Art Against Knives since it began in 2008, as it was her brother-in-law Oliver Hemsley’s stabbing that triggered the creation of the charity. Having seen the good work AAK have done, and working in a creative agency herself, she was very keen to bring the two together. Co-founder of the exhibition Jenny Hemsley says:
“Art Against Knives is a charity which is very close to my heart, and having worked with so many fantastically creative people at BD, I was delighted when James suggested we bring the two together – I think it’s great that as a large creative company we’re supporting a local creative charity. The creatures that have been drawn are amazing, and I’m really pleased at how many of my colleagues have got behind this idea. The fact that so many people from BD have given their time to make this exhibition happen means a great deal to me, and I’m looking forward to seeing the result of all the hard work come together on the 31st May”.
The creative driving force behind the exhibition is BD Creative James Newport, who started the designs for the creatures independently. After chatting to Jenny he soon released his creatures could make a difference to AAK, and The Creatures Exhibition was born.
Co-founder and exhibition curator, James from BD says:
“This idea started a few months back from finding myself obsessively scribbling animals. I set myself the slightly odd and ridiculous challenge of trying to draw an animal a day for no real reason, other than enjoying putting pen to paper. After a few emails, discussions and further scribbling, myself and some willing BD friends decided to put these drawings to good use and create a bizarre and mystical menagerie. After hearing about Oliver’s story and what AAK are trying to do with the local community I decided that the creatures had found a home”.
Katy Dawe, co-founder of Art Against Knives said,
“We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of BD, who share our belief in the importance of providing platforms to support local young creative talent. The collaboration has allowed us to facilitate sustainable opportunities and create professional relationships between young people and the creative industries on their doorstep. It is down to organisations such as BD, who readily open their doors and recognise the importance of joining up and sharing resources that will enable us to work toward offering sustained support for local young people. What is particularly exciting about this project is that it is one of the first exhibitions that will demonstrate the products of AAK’s new silkscreen printing workshop. A portion of the prints have been hand-pulled to a professional standard by young people from East London, and as with all sales made from the gallery, a percentage of the profit will go straight back into supporting future creative opportunities for local young people”.
Limited edition prints of the BD Creatures will be on show, and available for purchase, at the AAK Gallery at Boxpark, Shoreditch from Thursday 31st May – 14th June 2012. 100% of every sale will be donated to AAK.
More Information: www.artagainstknives.com/blog/
Art Against Knives
is a youth-led charity working to reduce the root causes of knife crime through arts initiatives that provide an alternative to violent gang culture.
Born from the unprovoked stabbing of Oliver Hemsely, a 21-year-old student from Central Saint Martin’s, AAK works to reduce the root causes of knife crime through arts initiatives that provide an alternative to violent gang culture.
Since their initial hugely successful art auction in 2009 the charity has flourished and now has a great permanent gallery space at Boxpark – the world’s first pop-up mall. AAK sells affordable artwork priced from £20 – £500 donated by established artists, as well as students and emerging talent.
