The co-founders of Hackney Art Week aim to support more emerging talent in the borough while redefining the way art can be experienced following a second successful event.
Running from 4 to the 14 June, Hackney Art Week championed the work of over 130 artists across 60 different venues in the borough, taking works out of galleries and into everyday spaces.
The 10-day festival featured events ranging from an arts and craft trail to music performances and film viewings, all aimed to make contemporary art and culture more accessible in East London.
Co-founders Anna McHugh and Lisa Baker met at a fitness class.
Baker, who previously worked in art PR, connected with McHugh, who ran the Hackney Art Trail running from Broadway Market to Wilton Way.
Baker said: “We met and within 20 minutes we were like, ‘we’ve got to set up Hackney Art Week’.”
Instead of relying on hosting events in traditional gallery spaces alone, McHugh and Baker intentionally chose to host in cinemas, pubs and ramen noodle bars among other unique locations.
The co-founders explained that in future years, they would like for the festival to feature a broader range of emerging artists, as they continue to expand the event following this year’s success.
McHugh said: “We definitely want more young artists…we want the whole platform to support that.”
Highlights of the week included a summer ceramic pop-up at Space studios, a charity art themed walking tour, and exhibitions exploring queer humour and fetish culture in celebration of Pride Month.
In Hackney, creative enterprises continue to establish themselves, creating a collaborative ecosystem, according to Hackney Gov.
Some creative initiatives and organisations available in Hackney include; Discover Young Hackney, the Shoreditch and Hoxton Art Funds and the Creative Enterprise Zones.
When asked about broadening artist representation, the founders expressed hope that participation will grow as the festival does.
This commitment to inclusion in Hackney comes as the borough continues to establish itself as a hub for creativity, the festival serving as a culmination of weeks-long work from artists all over the borough.
As the sector continues to grow, McHugh and Baker hope the festival’s message of making contemporary art accessible on a wider scale remains at the forefront.
Featured images: Esther Bamigboye
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