Advertisement
Art

Big Issue vendor Dave Martin to star in exhibition alongside art heavyweights

Ben Eine’s OurTypes show, part of his collaboration with The Big Issue, will feature works from Anthony Lister, Charming Baker and more – and arty vendor Dave’s own design will be among them

Popular vendor Dave Martin’s work is at the heart of this week’s Ben Eine-curated Art Special Big Issue magazine – and it’s going to take centre stage at the upcoming exhibition too.

Iconic artist Ben Eine has attracted big-name contemporaries Charming Baker, Shepard Fairey and more to produce exclusive work based around the concept of ‘Up’ for this week’s Big Issue magazine.

You will be able to see the designs up close at Eine’s OurTypes exhibition, in collaboration with The Big Issue, at London’s Jealous Gallery East from March 12-22.

The ‘Up’ theme is inspired by The Big Issue’s mantra of ‘a hand up not a hand out’ which refers to the idea of helping vendors to lift themselves out of poverty.

Dave’s work will be proudly on show at the event, embodying that mantra. He is also the My Pitch vendor in this week’s Big Issue magazine where he lifts the lid on how he has developed his own individual art style.

Dave, who sells the magazine and displays art on his pitch outside Tesco in Hammersmith, London, said: “To tell you the truth, I think the inspiration just comes from me. I have found out that my work is similar to many other artists, but not the same. I have my own individual style.

Advertisement
Advertisement

“I’m grateful for the placement I have at the moment. I’ve got my own little table and chair, I’ve got my own space, so I can come up with ideas. And it’s near my pitch. It means a lot. I can sell The Big Issue when I’m in there too.”

Catch more from Dave in this week’s The Art Special Edition, available with three iconic covers designed and curated by Ben Eine, one of the most celebrated street artists in the world and a pioneer of graffiti letterforms.

Following up his ‘CELEBRATE’ cover to mark the 200 millionth copy of The Big Issue in 2016, Eine has created three very special, and hugely collectable, front covers on the theme of UP. Each eye-catching design carries a version of his signature typography. In partnership with The Big Issue, Eine will be releasing a small run of limited edition prints, with a percentage of sales going directly to The Big Issue to support their work in dismantling poverty.

Get the full collection from Big Issue vendors across the UK now or from The Big Issue Shop.

Image: Louise Haywood-Schiefer

Advertisement

Sign our petition to keep people in their homes

Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness.  A secure home is the first step in addressing the cruel cycle of poverty to ensure people can fulfil their potential. Join us to keep people in their homes.

Recommended for you

Read All
Artist Sarah Lucas on tits, making something out of nothing and 'living in quite terrible times'
Art

Artist Sarah Lucas on tits, making something out of nothing and 'living in quite terrible times'

'The art of resistance': Big Issue vendors show off art skills at eye-opening Bristol exhibition
Art

'The art of resistance': Big Issue vendors show off art skills at eye-opening Bristol exhibition

BE MORE GUS: Catch The Big Issue’s new cartoon series only in the magazine
Cartoon

BE MORE GUS: Catch The Big Issue’s new cartoon series only in the magazine

'Artist, iconoclast, anarchist, punk, hippie, rebel and romantic': A personal tribute to Jamie Reid
In memoriam

'Artist, iconoclast, anarchist, punk, hippie, rebel and romantic': A personal tribute to Jamie Reid

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when people will get the second cost of living payment in 2023
3.

Here's when people will get the second cost of living payment in 2023

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue