The Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair sees famous artists selling their wares for car boot prices. “This year’s art car boot fair line-up is the best yet with stacks of witty and original artwares on offer and lots of surprises in store” commented Karen Ashton and Helen Hayward, sisters and co-curators. The Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair takes place at the The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London on July 8th.

Art Car Boot Fair Press Release

Sir Peter Blake, Sarah Baker, Ian Monroe, Anthony Gross, announced as 2007’s Art car commissions for Vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair

Ashton & Hayward, Producers of the Art Car Boot Fair, have invited four of this year’s exciting line-up of artists to apply their creative ingenuity to the latest Vauxhall models. The cars by Sir Peter Blake, Ian Monroe, Sarah Baker and Anthony Gross will be taking a pitch alongside over 50 other artists and performers at the Old Truman Brewery. What’s more, inside every eye-popping Art Car will be a fully loaded boot of desirable goodies by the commissioned artists to bargain for.

Sir Peter Blake’s first Art Car Commission draws personal references from the rich lexicon of travel journeys by car. Lyrics from the Beatles sit alongside classic lines from Truman Capote and Jack Kerouac that have been written in the artists hand to cover the body of the car. Sir Peter will create lino cuts as well as collaborate with Abigail Lane on a set of 54 prints based on a pack of cards to be unveiled on the day. Daughter Rose Blake will not be taking a back seat either; she will be present to flog her limited edition t-shirts.

Address: The Old Truman Brewery
146 Brick Lane, E1
Tube: Liverpool Street
Opening Hours: July 8th 2007
12-6pm
Prices: £2

Sarah Baker, taking part in her third Art Car commission casts the Griffin, a mythological creature (as well as the Vauxhall logo) over her Art car. Aligning hip-hop bling with Native American folklore, Baker appropriates a range of cross cultural references to challenge definitions of contemporary class and culture. Sitting atop the throne of her red convertible chariot, this modern day Pocahontas will offer golden feathered earrings and dream catcher rear view mirror ornaments.

Ian Monroe plays magic-eye tricks with a futuristic vinyl veneer over his visible invisible Art Car. Get your booty customised with his one-off bumper stickers, but be prepared to get in a scrum as the vinyl master’s stock has been riding high since his 2003 MA show.

Anthony Gross transports his famed ‘digital forest’ onto the body of a high performance VXR, with in-engine art works to get lost in. Flock to this pastoral paradise to capture one or both of his ‘digital forest diptych’ (very) limited edition posters on silver metallic paper before the birds and bees spring up on you.

www.artcarbootfair.com for more on the Vauxhall Art Car Commissions

In addition to the four Art Car commissions fashion queen Vivienne Westwood will be tagging her customised Tigra with fashionista politico statements. There will also be a trunk full to bursting of Westwood paraphernalia (including Westwood babygros) presided over by the fashion house’s enigmatic head of couture Brigitte Stepputis.

Plus, VX Collective partners in crime Lucia Helenka and Daisuke Sakaguchi will have the party pumping with their street-savvy slogans blazing from the side of their ride, and an in-car fashion stand will be showcasing hi-end T-shirts for back alley prices.

While Gavin Turk is keeping his plans under his fedora, word on the street is of thousand pound artworks stowed safely in the boot. Tracey Emin will be providing an undisclosed “special service” to boot fair punters, details to be announced post her Venice Biennale debut.

A sneak peak in Art Review tells us that resident Swedish Blonde Vanessa Frisedt is back with another can or two of “Old Broad Beans” (bespoke cockney jewels) and will be offering champagne from the back of her boot.

If your senses are overloaded, Stuart Semple has just the remedy, bringing the Ultimate Art Object – scientifically proven to counteract “aesthetic stress”. Trained experts will be on hand.

Snapping at the heels of the Chapman Brothers, Ben Turnbull has Action Men Tableux plus patches for sale.

For those who aren’t planning on having a wash, drop by Scrawl Collective’s “Doodle Bod” where well known graffiti and street artists from Ric Blackshaw’s outfit will be licensed and armed to scribble originals straight on your skin.

Back by popular demand is Jane Simpson’s -“Chai cake and chat tent”. From what we saw last year, Jane offers a welcome rest, so beware of the queues circling this lady’s booty.

Blending in as a staple to the traditional boot fair is Jamie Lau who rustles up his own version of Pirate DVD covers.

He will be selling DVDS and records with a twist, each cover is hand- drawn by the man himself.

David Harrison takes a break from his massive chandelier piece for his Victoria Miro show next year, and brings inimitable kitsch with a series of one-off lampshades.

Nothing is sexier than secretaries from the 60’s tapping away on an old fashioned typewriter. Kathy Battista and Vicky Hawkins: “Touch Type Diptych” brings back this retro flair, producing custom-made greeting cards on vintage wallpaper, greetings to be declared by the punter’s whims and fancy.

If your pockets aren’t deep but your patience is long, Mark Jones promises a real-life portrait for a bargain hunter’s delight of £2. Be prepared to get a tan and enjoy the view, this one requires you to sit still, and pretty.

New to this year’s bigger (by a few feet) and better (by a mile) Booty Stage will be a must-see line-up of acts, including the human Beatbox, thrills from burlesque star Lily White, Devlin Love from Alabama 3 and a Shirley Temple/Bing Crosby number from double act Sophie Parkin & Richard Dyer.
Serving up chorizo, paella and other Iberian delights are Sam Clark and James Knight of Moro’s. DJ Hitman Hearn & DJ Lush will be spinning live tunes, but it will be the Teasemaids that will be sure to send the crowd in a hot tizzy.

www.artcarbootfair.com for updates on what will be popping out of the artist’s trunks!

“This year’s art car boot fair line-up is the best yet with stacks of witty and original artwares on offer and lots of surprises in store” commented Karen Ashton and Helen Hayward, sisters and co-curators. They recommend to “get there early to scrummage for bargains then chill out and enjoy the show!”

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