Volunteers Needed for Crystal Palace Festival

May 13, 2015 Matt Bannister

I was commissioned by the Crystal Palace Overground Festival charity to create a recruitment poster for them. The 2015 event in SE19 is fast approaching, and they needed an image to go on flyers, A4 and A3 posters that would attract people. Most of the effort for the festival is provided by volunteers, so there is always a need to get more people involved. Of course, I returned to some familiar characters but gave them a kick up the bottom in terms of colour. Now all I need to do is get my hands on a poster for my archives!

Something For Everyone

April 22, 2015 Matt Bannister

Seeing as I've been slack on posting here, recently, here's a jumble of bits and bobs. There's no particular way of grouping these finds and images: it's just a digital pile of goodies to rummage through. In an effort to garner some more viewers, though, this will be arranged into Buzzfeed-esque numbered list.

Mermaid Court, London SE1. Inspired by a photo I took on my phone, I created a little birthday card for someone. She liked it, but was desperate to find a meaning in the arrangement of people, bollards and road markings. Any interpretations welcome.

The Past on Glass (i). I've recently started doing some volunteer work with the archives department at Sutton Library, to help digitise their collection of glass negatives. Here are four images of Edwardian ladies that I thought looked intriguing (and quite modern).

Expression Through Drawing. In an effort to show what is inside my head, and how drawing helps it come out, here's a new illustration. Oil, pencil and photoshop.

A Return To Life Drawing. I found a new untutored session in Croydon at Matthews Yard. I've only been once, but it's good to be back.

Balham High Road. I started this image last summer, but have only managed to complete it recently. I think the day that I shared it on Twitter, I was asked by Mimi's Artworks (81 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AP) if they could sell it in their gallery as prints. The lesson I've learnt is: finish every piece of work. You never know.

Look what's just arrived signed prints by #Mattbannister next stage framing and displaying @magbanno @MrsCarlieWelch pic.twitter.com/Rff9EZZbNH
— Mimi's Artworks (@mimivanger) April 17, 2015

Here it is again pride of place in the front of the window @magbanno @NPBalham @balhamdotcom @Balham_Life #art pic.twitter.com/Yw4w4MwIai — Mimi's Artworks (@mimivanger) April 21, 2015

Croydon Citizen - Gentrification Issue

March 17, 2015 Matt Bannister

A recent commission for The Croydon Citizen, to illustrate their issue about the (possible) gentrification of Croydon.

I've included here the different stages that lead up to the final images being published. Enjoy!

Please Use Other Footpath

July 9, 2014 Matt Bannister

Are there too many people in central London?

This new image was inspired by that feeling I get sometimes when London isn't quite as fun as it should be. All it takes is a stuffy tube ride, a cancelled train home, feeling travel sick on the bus, etc. and even the most loyal Londoner thinks it might be healthier to live by a babbling river in the Oxfordshire countryside. This is not peculiar to Londoners, I'm sure. All modern (and historical) city dwellers have bad days when they wished they had the streets to themselves.

The apparent onslaught of quickly built skyscrapers is due to arrive any week now, if you believe what you read. We may all like the shining pinnacles when they are complete, but I think it is a genuine worry for people. They don't seem to be for anyone other than rich corporate boardroom goers. Architecturally, it could end up as a pissing contest - my urban erection is bigger than yours!

However, despite all this, my image ended up being quite pretty with a low sun, dramatic shadows and warm colours. Hopefully it bodes well for the future: even glass and steel can look attractive in the right light. I call it 'Please Use Other Footpath'.

Crystal Palace Overground Festival 2014

June 16, 2014 Matt Bannister

I was recently asked to help the Crystal Palace Overground Festival team out with some illustrations.

I really enjoyed the event last year (as a punter) and given that it has become a major local event for the 'CP' community I was happy to undertake the briefs.

Toddle in the City

The first event I tackled sounds like a great thing for kids. It's a treasure hunt but armed with robust digital cameras, run by an organisation called Toddle in the City. All the info for their Crystal Palace activities can be found here. I created an image for their Facebook event page and also a square version for general use that I'm also pleased with.

Pop Up and Sing Along

The other project was for some imagery for a poster promoting a series of workshops for older people. These have been set up for older people from local care homes and day centres run in collaboration with Dulwich Picture Gallery ‘s award-winning Good Times: Art for Older People programme.