Eight leading artists have contributed to 2024’s limited edition wrapping paper collection – on sale now exclusively from the Big Issue Shop
Thursday 7th November – Opake, the trail-blazing pop-art graffiti artist recently featured in a royal homelessness exhibition, and Harry Hill, the multi-award-winning comedian known for TV Burp and You’ve Been Framed, are amongst the artists contributing to a new wrapping paper collection from the Big Issue, unveiled today.
Designed by eight talented artists, these exclusive limited-edition wrapping paper sheets can only be purchased through the Big Issue Shop, an ethical e-shop established by the social enterprise best-known for the street magazine of the same name.
At just a sliver of the price of originals or prints from these in-demand artists, the wrapping paper is perfect for putting up on display or wrapping this year’s Christmas gifts in style.
Included in this year’s collection – the ninth from the Big Issue – is work from comedian Harry Hill, best known for his work on TV. Hill’s recent foray into the art world saw his paintings, prints and sculpture displayed at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in 2021.
Opake is a prominent London-based artist whose lived experience of addiction and rough sleeping inspired many of his surrealist pop-art graffiti-style pieces. He reimagines iconic cartoon characters like Pink Panther and Mickey Mouse to explore mental health, addiction, and the breakdown of pop culture. Opake’s work was recently featured in the Saatchi Gallery’s Homelessness: Reframed exhibition, for which he met and discussed his work with Prince William.
Also contributing to 2024’s art wrapping paper collection are the Cameron Twins, a collaborative artist duo of identical sisters. The vivid colours and child-like naïve aesthetic of their prints allows them to playfully explore ideas around childhood imagination, dreams and mirror symmetry – relating to their identities as twins – within their art.
Real Hackney Dave has contributed a new design to this year’s collection, having first supported the Big Issue’s art wrap back in 2021. Dave Buonaguidi, based in Hackney in London, specialises in creating unusual and original hand-printed screen prints on vintage maps and retro adverts.
Bunmi Agusto is a Nigerian-born artist and writer. Her mixed-media artworks combine painting, drawing and printmaking to depict otherworldly landscapes that draw from West African aesthetics embedded in her cultural consciousness. Her piece in the Big Issue’s wrapping paper collection comes after she was named one of Artsy’s Ones to Watch in January 2024.
French Paris-born artist HelloMarine redefines the idea of still life today in her work, painting familiar things with a twist. With a striking simplicity and well curated colour palette, her work is both bold and memorable. Her 16-year-long career has seen her work with the likes of Dior, Lacoste, Penguin and even the Big Issue, which featured her art in its cover in 2009.
Graphic Rewilding attempts to improve the quality of life and mental health of urban dwellers with their vast art installation in cities across the world. Artists Lee Baker and Catherine Borowski have scaled down their work somewhat for their intimate, natural wrapping paper design, titled ‘In the Garden of My Imagination’.
Last but by no means least, Rebecca Strickson’s wrapping paper piece – titled ‘Kickin’ Ass’ – is inspired by the traditional imagery of trade union banners and protest placards. Her work explores the power of community and collaboration.
Russell Blackman, Managing Director of the Big Issue, said:
This year’s range of bold and arresting wrapping paper designs will frame gifts for family and friends perfectly, or look equally impressive when framed themselves on the walls of your home!
Over the past nine years, we’ve had a host of awe-inspiring artists work with us, raising thousands of pounds to support our mission of giving those who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion a hand up. This year’s line-up is no less impressive, with a huge and diverse range of talent on display.
By buying a sheet or a pack from our Big Issue Shop, you will be directly helping to better the lives of people who, now more than ever before, need our support.
The limited-edition single-image sheets of each artist’s design are priced at £39 each. You can also buy a pack of five sheets of regular wrapping paper for £7.99. The wrap is printed on recycled paper and packed in recyclable plastic.
Big Issue Shop offers people the opportunity to use their spending power to make a positive difference to the world we live in.
Socially- conscious shoppers can browse and buy the designs now at bigissueshop.com
About
Opake – ‘Fu@k it’s Christmas!!’ Opake is a prominent London-based artist whose lived experience of addiction and rough sleeping inspired many of his surrealist pop-art graffiti-style pieces. He reimagines iconic cartoon characters like Pink Panther and Mickey Mouse to explore mental health, addiction, and the breakdown of pop culture.
Harry Hill – ‘See You There!’ Multiple award-winning comedian, presenter and author Harry Hill has been one of the UK’s most respected and inventive entertainers for nearly 30 years. Hill’s recent foray into the art world saw his paintings, prints and sculpture displayed at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in 2021.
The Cameron Twins – ‘Lucky (Blue)’ The Cameron Twins are a collaborative artist duo of identical sisters. The vivid colours and child-like naïve aesthetic of their prints allows them to playfully explore ideas around childhood imagination, dreams and mirror symmetry – relating to their identities as twins – within their art.
Bunmi Agusto – ‘Braided Sekere’ Bunmi Agusto is a Nigerian-born artist and writer. Her mixed-media artworks combine painting, drawing and printmaking to depict otherworldly landscapes that draw from West African aesthetics embedded in her cultural consciousness.
Hello Marine – ‘Fleur IX’ French Paris-born artist HelloMarine redefines the idea of still life today in her work, painting familiar things with a twist. With a striking simplicity and well curated colour palette, her work is both bold and memorable.
Graphic Rewilding – ‘In the Garden of My Imagination’ Graphic Rewilding attempt to improve quality of life and mental health of urban dwellers with their vast art installation in cities across the world.
Dave Buonaguidi – ‘Wrap It Right’ Dave Buonaguidi, based in Hackney in London, specialises in creating unusual and original hand-printed screen prints on vintage maps and retro adverts.
Rebecca Strickson – ‘Kickin’ Ass’ Inspired by the traditional imagery of trade union banners and protest placards, Rebecca Strickson’s work explores the power of community and collaboration.
