The People’s art fair opens tomorrow at PRSC; an artist’s perspective
Tomorrow marks the highly anticipated opening night of the People’s Art Fair at people’s republic of Stokes Croft, an event that’s as vibrant and eclectic as the artists who make it happen. For any artist, participating in a show like this comes with its own set of emotions—a mixture of excitement, hope, and a touch of apprehension. The fair is known for its staggering variety, packed wall-to-wall with art of all sizes, styles, and skill levels. It’s easy to wonder if your work might be overshadowed and lost among the sheer volume of creative expression. But there’s an undeniable truth that every artist learns at some point: showing your art is always better than hiding it away.
When you choose to step into a space brimming with talent and diversity, as well as overwhelm for the viewer, you’re not just exhibiting your work; you’re opening yourself up to opportunities, connections, and the potential to leave a lasting impression on someone. And yes, putting yourself out there can feel like a gamble. There’s vulnerability in sharing something so personal, but you never know how someone will experience your work. Whether they may contact you years from now remembering the show. But even then, the experience itself is priceless. Seeing as it’s on every year there must be some sort of lasting impact on the community who enjoy this event. So I am excited to return and be apart of it.
For this show, I’ll be showcasing originals and I will also have items in the gift shop such as ten ceramic mugs—a labour of love and the first and only batch I’ve had printed into the physical world (13 in total). From now on, these mugs will be available on a print-on-demand basis, so having a physical collection to showcase feels special, almost like a limited-edition release, though I didn’t print them myself, I designed them. Balancing that with my painting and other projects makes print-on-demand the most feasible option than keeping stock. The same goes for my T-shirts. Though I might explore printing them myself in the future with a heat press thingy (something new to learn) for more creative control over where the design sits, when most have this weird restriction, and feels like square stamped on, transparent backgrounds help with this but I would like creative control to print anywhere on the entire t-shirt, or an all over design even, the current approach lets me focus on what matters: bringing my art to life in new, useable, wearable ways. As the demand goes up for the easy option, ironically I will likely go more hands on and bespoke in some areas and bring out what I consider even better design options.
I’ve chosen five paintings for the fair: two large, cheerful pieces that radiate positivity, one medium-sized piece filled with joy, and two medium works with more intense, thought-provoking emotion themes. I will leave that for a surprise but will have another blog post from tomorrow’s opening night. Each piece has its own story and energy, and I’m eager to see how people will connect with them, while exploring the other artist’s work on show. It’s always fascinating to observe the reactions—whether it’s someone who buys a piece to take home or someone who simply stops, gazes, and leaves with a memory.
people’s art fair December 2020 (closed for a few days due to restrictions, was an interesting time for sure, felt community driven with people craving human connection)
Art isn’t just what we hang on our walls; it’s what we carry with us, in our hearts and sometimes even on our backs. That’s why I’ve expanded into creating art on items like mugs and T-shirts. These pieces become part of daily life, subtle statements of self-expression that go beyond the canvas. Sometimes a T-shirt speaks in a way a framed painting cannot, offering a unique bridge between the artistic and the everyday.
So, if you’re around tomorrow, come join us at the opening night of the People’s Art Fair. Come see what’s possible when artists take that brave step into the spotlight, ready to share a piece of their soul. You might just find something that resonates—whether it’s a painting, a mug, a sticker , art of Chris Shopland book vol1 (also available via blurb and amazon) showing my uni to present day artworks or even just a fleeting moment of inspiration and an evening out. Let’s make it a night to remember!
